Treatment of Iatrogenic esophageal perforation: Do we need another tool?

In this issue, Gunnar Loske et al from Hambourg (Germany) reported their experience in 10 patients with esophageal perforations endoscopically managed by Endovacuum Therapy (EVT) [1]. They achieved complete healing in all patients. Esophageal perforations are one of the worst iatrogenic perforations that can occur, [2] and really frightening to endoscopists (and cardiologists). Esophageal perforations occur mainly after endoscopic dilatation performed for peptic strictures, malignant strictures, achalasia, anastomotic strictures, and foreign body retrieval, roughly with a rate ranging from 0% to 3% [3]. Other cases can occur after endoscopic submucosal dissection, with a mean rate of 2.4%, or after passage of transesophageal blind echocardiography probes, a setting in which the complication is not so rare [2,3]. However, mortality related to esophageal perforations is high, with a pool mortality of 11.9% with either conservative or surgical management and with a long mean hospital stay of 32.9 days [3]. It has been established that early recognition of the esophageal perforation is vital and management after 24 hours is clearly associated with an increased rate of mortality [2,3]. What weapons are available to endoscopists for management of such perforations? First, we have to underscore that, to achieve the best outcomes, endoscopic treatment must be performed within the first 24 hours so as to avoid mediastinitis or pleural effusion that may require prior surgical drainage. Second, it is not acceptable to perform or to attempt any endoscopic closure without the use of CO2 insufflation. Air insufflation is associated with pneumomediastinum, subcutaneous emphysema, diffusion of infection in surrounding tissue, and impaired respiration. The endoscopist can choose the best procedure for performing endoscopic closure based largely on the size of the perforation (25mm being inaccessible to regular clips) or the location (under the crico-pharyngeal sphincter being the most difficult location for insertion of a stent or clipping). Recent recommendations from the European Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ESGE) suggest treating perforations <10mmwith TTS clips, treating perforations ranging from 10 to 25mm with OTSC clips, and larger perforations with temporary fully covered self-expanding metallic stents (SEMS) [3]. However, adequate placement of TTS clips for full thickness repair is not so simple. Fully covered stents have a high migration rate and for perforation located in the esogastric junction, ESGE advises use of partially covered SEMS, which canbe retrieved by the stent-instent technique. In two small retrospective series, EVT has been advocated for managing esophageal perforations and found more effective than SEMS or surgery [4,5]. In addition, it may bemore effective for delayed management because the permanent suction can retrieve bacterial agents or saliva. Other series have shown also shown that EVT is efficient for management of colorectal fistula following surgery, with success rates ranging from 75% to 88% [6,7]. However the real place for EVT in the management of esophageal perforation was not clearly elucidated in the ESGE guidelines [3]. This series reported the results of EVT management in 10 patients. EVTwas performed immediately after diagnosis and always within 24 hours. Interestingly, in six cases out of 10, the perforation was in a location difficult to manage endoscopically, four at the level of the cricopharyngeal sphincter and two at the esophagogastric junction. Drainage was removed within the first 2 to 5 days by simple oral withdrawal; 15 placement procedures were ultimately required. All the patients were cured within 3 to 7 days with no need for surgery, other endoscopic interventions or external thoracic drainage. The pattern of the tissue after removal of the foam showed typical