Duodenal stump fistula following Roux-en-Y gastrectomy, treated with single-balloon enteroscopy using the tulip bundle technique and fibrin glue injection.

In January 2012, a 68-year-old woman underwent laparoscopic partial gastrectomy at our institute, with Roux-en-Y reconstruction for an ulcerated gastrointestinal stromal tumor. The postoperative course was complicated by development of a duodenal stump fistula and subhepatic collection (●" Fig.1). Percutaneous drainage of the collection, as well as percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage (PTBD), did not reduce the high output leakage. Because of worsening of the patient’s clinical condition, and to avoid reintervention, we decided to carry out single-balloon enteroscopy to access the afferent loop and reach the duodenal stump. Informed consent was obtained from the patient. Single-balloon enteroscopy was carried out with a high resolution enteroscope (SIF-Q180; Olympus America, Center Valley, Pennsylvania, USA) and a disposable sliding overtube (ST-SB1; Olympus America). There was a large, 2-cm orifice surrounded by hyperemic mucosa at the duodenal stump (●" Fig.2). To apply the tulip bundle technique [1,2], eight Resolution Clips (Boston Scientific, Natick, Massachusetts, USA) were placed circumferentially along the periphery of the fistula, and two Endoloops (Olympus America) were placed over the endoclips, near the base, to fully close the fistula (●" Fig.3a– c). We then injected 4mL of fibrin glue (Beriplast-P Combi-Set; CSL Behring, Marburg, Germany) into the submucosa to ensure complete sealing of the fistula (●" Fig.3d– f). Definitive fistula closure was clinically and radiologically observed at the 2 months’ follow-up (●" Fig.4). Duodenal stump fistula after gastrectomy is a potentially devastating complication, with high morbidity, long period of hospitalization, and an overall mortality rate of about 20% (due to sepsis and multiple organ failure) [3]. Treatment with PTBD and an occlusion balloon in the biliary tree has been described [4,5]. This report describes a new endoscopic treatment for a refractory duodenal stump fistula and illustrates the feasibility and usefulness of interventional single-balloon enteroscopy. In conclusion, we believe that in the case of a life-threatening complication in the small intestine which is difficult to access, single-balloon enteroscopy may be a viable alternative to surgical intervention.