Successful treatment of an anastomotic leakage after total gastrectomy using a fully covered self-expandable metal stent with an anchoring thread: A case report.

INTORODUCTION AND IMPORTANCE: The incidence of anastomotic leakage in the esophagojejunostomy after total gastrectomy is a serious complication of this procedure. Here, we report a case in which a fully covered stent was endoscopically placed into a fistula caused by anastomotic leakage after total gastrectomy.

CASE PRESENTATION: An 88-year-old man diagnosed with advanced gastric cancer had tumor invasion close to the esophagogastric junction. We performed a laparoscopic total gastrectomy and Roux-en-Y reconstruction. On postoperative day (POD) 3, the patient experienced septic shock due to anastomotic leakage and subsequent mediastinitis. Mediastinal irrigation and drainage under laparotomy were performed. Sepsis improved with drainage, but the fistula persisted due to anastomotic leakage.

CLINICAL DISCUSSION: Based on a diagnosis of refractory fistula, a fully covered self-expandable metal stent (HANAROSTENT® Esophagus) was inserted POD 21 using esophagoscopy. To prevent stent migration, a 3-0 silk thread was attached to the ostial side of the stent and fixed at the nose. The stent was endoscopically removed 36 days. Esophagoscopy after stent removal revealed that the fistula had resolved and that the anastomotic leakage had healed. The patient started oral intake and was discharged home.

CONCLUSION: This case demonstrates the potential for use of a fully covered self-expandable metal stent with an anchoring thread for anastomotic leakage after total gastrectomy for gastric cancer.