Endoscopic Vacuum Therapy of Esophageal Leakage

Abstract A large number of endoscopic procedures have been replacing full-scale surgical intervention in the management of esophageal defects. Since 2006, the authors have developed endoscopic techniques of intracavitary and intraluminal placement of vacuum drainage systems in their institution, and so far have treated 29 cases of esophageal defects of various origins with an overall success rate of 90% (26 out of 29). With the adaptation of these procedures sponge drainages can be placed at every height of the gastrointestinal tract, thereby contributing a minimally invasive, endoscopic alternative to the management of intestinal defects. Despite promising reports in recent literature, the method-to-date is an individual treatment. 1 This article is part of an expert video encyclopedia.