Clinical Efficacy of Endoscopic Technique in the Treatment of Gastrointestinal Anastomotic Complications: a Retrospective Study

Abstract

Background: To evaluate the safety and effectiveness of endoscopic technique in treating postoperative anastomotic complications of digestive tract. Methods: Clinical data of patients received endoscopic treatment in our hospital due to anastomotic complications after gastrointestinal surgery from January 2015 to December 2018 were collected for retrospective analysis. Endoscopic intervention was used for postoperative anastomotic complications in all the included cases. The time of the intervention measures, laboratory examination, incidence of complications and postoperative follow-up were observed and analyzed.Results: A total of 88 patients were included in the study, including 43 patients with anastomotic stenosis,22 with anastomotic obstruction,23 with anastomotic fistula. For anastomotic obstruction patients, 36 patients with anastomosis were successfully treated with endoscopy. For anastomotic obstruction patients, 18 cases were successfully treated with endoscopy. For anastomotic fistula patients, 21 cases were successfully treated with endoscopy.During follow-up after the endoscopic procedure, 4 patients with anastomotic stenosis needed endoscopic intervention again, 3 cases undertook surgical intervention and 2 cases maintained acceptable defecation function by intermittent dilation with a plastic dilater. one patients with anastomotic obstruction had stent displacement and was removed. For the anastomotic fistula patients,one case relapsed and then underwent endoscopic intervention again, three cases converted to surgical intervention.Preoperative and postoperative blood biochemical examination had no significant statistical significanceConclusion: Endoscopic treatment of anastomosis complications was effective for some of the patients, especially for those with anastomosis stenosis or stricture, considering its saftey, it might be the first choice for anastomosis complications.