A new endoscopic technique for gastrointestinal perforations: the over-the-scope-clip

A research team from Italy successfully used a new endoscopic device, the over-the-scope-clip (OTSC), for the first time, to seal and close two gastrointestinal fistulas developed after gastric banding erosion. The OTSC may represent a less invasive and cheaper method to close chronic small fistulas or leaks than covered self expandable stent placement.

Gastrointestinal (GI) chronic perforations require closure and control of extraluminal collections and sepsis. Covered self-expandable metal stents or plastic stents are an effective method in more than 80% of cases, but have many drawbacks.

Using the newly designed over-the-scope-clip (OTSC) initially intended for hemostasis of gastrointestinal bleeding to close two chronic inveterate external gastric fistulas, a research team from Italy reported the first successful closure of two gastro-cutaneous fistulas. Their study will be published on April 7, 2010 in the World Journal of Gastroenterology.

They concluded that the OTSC may be the least invasive method to close chronic small fistulas or leaks, if prospe¬ctive large comparative studies with fully-covered stents will confirm their observation.