[Vacuum therapy of an esophageal anastomotic leakage--a case report].

BACKGROUND

Esophageal anastomotic leakage is a major complication. In rectal surgery, anastomotic dehiscence is successfully treated by endoscopically placed intracavitary vacuum sponge systems. We used this technique in a case of anastomotic dehiscence following transhiatal gastrectomy.

PATIENT AND METHOD: In an 80-year-old female patient esophageal anastomotic leakage was diagnosed endoscopically six days following transhiatal gastrectomy. Endocavitary treatment by endoscopic implantation of a vacuum sponge system was performed. After 14 days of treatment with 4 system changes and a change interval of 2-4 days complete healing was observed. A week later, a second wall defect was diagnosed and treated in the same way. The total hospital stay after operation was sixty days.

CONCLUSION

Esophageal anastomotic leakage can be successfully treated by means of an endoscopically placed intracavitary vacuum sponge system. This paper describes the therapeutic technique.