Endoluminal vacuum therapy for gastrojejunal anastomotic leaks after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass: a pilot study in a swine model.

backgroundRoux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) consistently produces the most sustainable weight loss among common interventions for morbid obesity. Anastomotic leaks at the gastrojejunal (GJ) connection result in severe morbidity. We apply endoluminal negative pressure vacuum devices (EVD) to heal anastomotic leaks in a swine model.

methodsRYGB was performed in 10 pigs (3 control, 7 experimental). GJ anastomoses were fashioned, and a 2-cm defect was made across the staple line. In controls, the defects remained open. In experimental pigs, the EVD was placed across the defect and kept at continuous 50 mmHg suction. All pigs were euthanized on postoperative day seven unless they displayed signs of peritonitis or sepsis. Fluoroscopy and necropsy were performed to assess a persistent leak, and tissue specimens were sent to histology to evaluate for degree of inflammation and ischemia.

resultsAll three control pigs' GJ anastomoses demonstrated evidence of a persistent leak. All seven experimental pigs with the EVD in place showed evidence that their leak had sealed at time of fluoroscopy (p value 0.008).

conclusionsEndoluminal vacuum therapy is well tolerated in a swine model. GJ anastomotic leaks were consistently sealed with our device in place compared to controls. This therapy shows promise as a method to address GJ leaks in the bariatric population, and thus, we believe additional evaluation is warranted.