Endoscopic ultrasonography for pre-operative local assessment and endoscopic ultrasonography-guided marking before gastrojejunostomy for duodenal obstruction using magnetic compression anastomosis.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: A 93-year-old woman who was bedridden with severe dementia was referred to our department with a 3-day history of repeated vomiting after meals. Computed tomography revealed significant dilatation of the duodenum up to the level of the third portion, which was compressed by a large, low-density mass. Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy showed narrowing of the third portion of the duodenum with edematous mucosa covered with multiple white spots, where the endoscope was able to pass through with mild resistance. B-cell lymphoma was histopathologically suspected from biopsy specimens of the mucosa. We performed gastrojejunostomy through the magnetic compression anastomosis (MCA) technique. We prepared two neodymium magnets: Flat plate shaped (15 × 3 mm) with a small hole 3 mm in diameter; a nylon thread was passed through each hole. We then confirmed the absence of no non-target tissue, including large vessels and intestine adjacent to the anastomosis where the magnets were to be placed using endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS) from the stomach. EUS-guided marking using biopsy forceps by biting the mucosa and placing a hemoclip was performed at the anastomosis site in the stomach. The magnet was pushed and delivered to the duodeno-jejuno junction, and another magnet was delivered to the marking point in the stomach. The magnets were attracted toward each other transmurally. The magnets fell into the colon by 11 days after starting the compression, and the completion of gastrojejunostomy was confirmed.

RELEVANCE FOR PATIENTS: Endoscopic gastrojejunostomy using MCA is useful as a minimally invasive alternative treatment for duodenal obstruction. EUS for the pre-operative local assessment and EUS-guided marking can ensure the safety of the MCA procedure.