Outcomes of gastrointestinal defect closure with an over-the-scope clip system in a multicenter experience: An analysis of a successful suction method

Abstract

Aim: To demonstrate the clinical outcomes of a multicenter experience and to suggest guidelines for choosing a suction method.

Methods: This retrospective study at 5 medical centers involved 58 consecutive patients undergoing over-the-scope clips (OTSCs) placement. The overall rates of technical success (TSR), clinical success (CSR), complications, and procedure time were analyzed as major outcomes. Subsequently, 56 patients, excluding two cases that used the Anchor device, were divided into two groups: 14 cases of simple suction (SS-group) and 42 cases using the Twin Grasper (TG-group). Secondary evaluation was performed to clarify the predictors of OTSC success.

Results: The TSR, CSR, complication rate, and median procedure time were 89.7%, 84.5%, 1.8%, and 8 (range 1-36) min, respectively, demonstrating good outcomes. However, significant differences were observed between the two groups in terms of the mean procedure time (5.9 min vs 14.1 min). The CSR of the SS- and TG-groups among cases with a maximum defect size ≤ 10 mm and immediate or acute refractory bleeding was 100%, which suggests that SS is a better method than TG in terms of time efficacy. The CSR in the SS-group (78.6%), despite the technical success of the SS method (TSR, 100%), tended to decrease due to delayed leakage compared to that in the TG-group (TSR, CSR; 88.1%), indicating that TG may be desirable for leaks and fistulae with defects of the entire layer.

Conclusion: OTSC system is a safe and effective therapeutic option for gastrointestinal defects. Individualized selection of the suction method based on particular clinical conditions may contribute to the improvement of OTSC success.

Keywords: Endoscopic closure; Fistula; Gastrointestinal refractory bleeding; Leak; Over-the-scope clip.

Figure 1

Key factor for the success of over-the-scope clips: schema of three suction methods into the application cap of the target lesion. A: Simple suction, similar to endoscopic variceal band ligation (simple suction method); B: Assist of grasping forceps: Twin Grasper device (Twin Grasper method); C: Assist of tissue anchoring device (Anchor assist).

Figure 2

Flow diagram of patient enrollment and outcomes. ¹Clinical outcomes of two cases that used the Anchor: one case with an incomplete closure of an esophageal-gastric anastomotic leakage, and another case with clinical success of gastric fistula after percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy. SS: Simple suction; TG: Twin Grasper.

Figure 3

Representative clinical success case in the simple suction-group that exhibited refractory bleeding with a defect size of ≤ 10 mm and an immediate duration since onset. A: A spurting, bleeding ulcer that was located in a rectal anastomotic site; B: Complete hemostasis via over-the-scope clip closure using the simple suction method after the failure of conventional endoscopic intervention.

Figure 4

Representative clinical success case in the Twin Grasper-group of a leak with a defect size of ≤ 10 mm and an immediate duration since onset. A: An iatrogenic perforation site approximately 10 mm in size, located in the 2^nd portion of the duodenum during endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography; B: Application of the Twin Grasper device; C: Complete defect closure three months after over-the-scope clip deployment.

Figure 5

Representative case with an over-the-scope clips complication. A: A delayed perforation with a 50-mm defect size after gastric endoscopic submucosal dissection; B: The misplacement of the over-the-scope clips to the exposed muscularis propria induced additional tears (black arrows); C: The defect could not be closed by the Twin Grasper due to a narrow lumen located in the prepylorus.

Figure 6

Clinically unsuccessful case in the simple suction-group of a fistula with a defect size of ≤ 10 mm and a chronic duration. A: An 8-mm gastric fistula after interventional endoscopic ultrasound for a pseudo-pancreatic cyst; B: Complete closure with one over-the-scope clip (OTSC) using the simple suction method; C: A delayed leakage (black arrows) that occurred 2 wk after OTSC placement; D: X-ray contrast photo via a percutaneous drainage tube that revealed the delayed leakage.