Novel Treatment for Anastomotic Leak After Ivor-Lewis Esophagectomy

Intrathoracic anastomotic leaks after esophagogastrostomy occur frequently, often resulting in prolonged hospitalization and delays in advancing oral nutrition and hydration. Management of anastomotic esophageal leaks vary based on time of occurrence to time of intervention, condition of the patient, and location. Conservative approaches such as endovascular clips and endovascular stents have gained momentum in addressing esophageal leaks and fistulas, replacing the original paradigm of surgical approach as initial management. More recently, the use of intraluminal and intracavitary endoscopic vacuum-assisted therapy has been used to treat esophageal leaks successfully. We present a novel treatment method for anastomotic leaks using a modified percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy tube. (C) 2018 by The Society of Thoracic Surgeons