Published online Feb 7, 2016. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v22.i5.1844
Peer-review started: May 7, 2015
First decision: June 23, 2015
Revised: September 25, 2015
Accepted: December 1, 2015
Article in press: December 1, 2015
Published online: February 7, 2016
Processing time: 266 Days and 10.3 Hours
AIM: To investigate the efficacy and clinical outcome of patients treated with an over-the-scope-clip (OTSC) system for severe gastrointestinal hemorrhage, perforations and fistulas.
METHODS: From 02-2009 to 10-2012, 84 patients were treated with 101 OTSC clips. 41 patients (48.8%) presented with severe upper-gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding, 3 (3.6%) patients with lower-GI bleeding, 7 patients (8.3%) underwent perforation closure, 18 patients (21.4%) had prevention of secondary perforation, 12 patients (14.3%) had control of secondary bleeding after endoscopic mucosal resection or endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) and 3 patients (3.6%) had an intervention on a chronic fistula.
RESULTS: In 78/84 patients (92.8%), primary treatment with the OTSC was technically successful. Clinical primary success was achieved in 75/84 patients (89.28%). The overall mortality in the study patients was 11/84 (13.1%) and was seen in patients with life threatning upper GI hemorrhage. There was no mortality in any other treatment group. In detail OTSC application lead to a clinical success in 35/41 (85.36%) patients with upper GI bleeding and in 3/3 patients with lower GI bleeding. Technical success of perforation closure was 100% while clinical success was seen in 4/7 cases (57.14%) due to attendant circumstances unrelated to the OTSC. Technical and clinic success was achieved in 18/18 (100%) patients for the prevention of bleeding or perforation after endoscopic mucosal resection and ESD and in 3/3 cases of fistula closure. Two application-related complications were seen (2%).
CONCLUSION: This largest single center experience published so far confirms the value of the OTSC for GI emergencies and complications. Further clinical experience will help to identify optimal indications for its targeted and prophylactic use.
Core tip: In this retrospective study a novel endoscopic over-the-scope-clip (OTSC) was evaluated for the treatment of severe gastrointestinal bleeding, perforation and fistula. 101 OTSCs were applied in 84 patients with a primary clinical success in 75/84 patients for all applications corresponding to 89%. Severe bleeding was successfully treated in 35/41 patients with upper gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding (85.36%) and in all 3 patients with severe lower GI bleeding. Technical success of perforation closure was 100% while clinical success was seen in 4/7 cases (57.14%) due to attendant circumstances unrelated to the OTSC. Technical and clinic success was achieved in 18/18 patients for the prevention of secondary perforation or bleeding after endoscopic mucosal resection and endoscopic submucosal dissection and in 3/3 fistula closures. Two application-related complications were seen. This largest single center experience published so far confirms the high value of the OTSC for the endoscopic treatment of GI emergencies and complications.