Endoscopic gastroenteric anastomosis using magnets.

BACKGROUND

Current management of malignant obstruction of the upper digestive tract includes surgical gastrointestinal bypass or endoscopic insertion of self-expandable metal stents. The safety, efficacy, and long-term patency rates of anastomoses created using the novel technique of endoscopic gastroenteric anastomosis using magnets (EGAM) are evaluated in this study.

PATIENTS AND

METHODS

15 patients (13 men, 2 women; mean age 64.5 years) with malignant obstruction, who underwent EGAM and had monthly follow-up between December 2001 and May 2003, were included in this study.

RESULTS

The procedure was successful in 13 patients (88.66 %). The mean survival was 5.23 months. There were four minor complications (30.76 %) during the follow-up period.

CONCLUSION

Our results demonstrate the feasibility, safety. and efficacy of this technique for creating a gastroenteric anastomosis. The success rate was 86.6 %, there were no immediate complications, and there was no mortality related to the procedure.