Endoscopic vacuum-assisted closure therapy for the treatment of oesophageal anastomotic leaks.

Persisting suture dehiscence with oesophageal anastomotic leaks after thoracic surgery is a difficult complication, especially when a surgical repair fails. We report here endoscopic vacuum-assisted closure therapy as a novel endoscopic treatment for the management of oesophageal anastomotic leaks. Endoscopic vacuum-assisted closure therapy is a minimally invasive method to treat anastomotic leakage by positioning an open-pored polyurethane sponge and a suction tube connected to a wound drainage system into the opening of the wound cavity. This multidisciplinary endoscopic and surgical approach is a successful therapy for the management of suture dehiscence with oesophageal anastomotic leaks after thoracic surgery or oesophageal perforations.