2190 A Unique Case Demonstrating the Endoscopic Management of a Duodenal Stump Fistula

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Medical procedures continue to evolve towards being more minimally invasive leading to significant advances in the endoscopic management of transmural defects of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. These are typically divided into three primary types; anastomotic leaks, perforations and fistulas. Once the site of injury has been identified, basic management involves surgical debridement and drainage with subsequent closure, diversion or both. We present a case of a complicated fistula and a novel approach to closing it. CASE DESCRIPTION/METHODS: A 35 year old female presented to the emergency room following blunt abdominal trauma from a horse kick. She sustained significant injuries to the small bowel requiring emergent surgical intervention and ultimately a duodenectomy with gastrojejunostomy. She was left with a 6cm blind limb of native post pyloric duodenum that was drained percutaneously with a 32Fr Malecot catheter. Gastroenterology was consulted to assist with endoscopic drain removal and management of the residual fistula tract. The Malecot was replaced with a 24Fr percutaneous gastrostomy tube with subsequent downsizing procedures every 2-3 weeks. The end result was a 3-4mm duodenal-cutaneous fistula with persistent output. After fulguration of the surrounding area with Argon plasma coagulation a single running suture of 5 stitches was placed using the OverStitchTM device and the external opening was allowed to close by secondary intention. At a 2 week clinic follow up she had returned to her usual activities and a barium upper GI series at 4 weeks post closure confirmed no stump leak. DISCUSSION: There is a paucity of data to guide the gastroenterologist on duodenal stump defects. In the setting of a planned surgical fistula such as in our patient, the most appropriate treatment option was successive downsizing of the tract with definitive closure via endoscopic suturing. The unique location of the fistula in a blind pouch precluded the use of a self-expanding metal stent, the defect was too large to close with a through-the-scope clip, and there was a theoretical concern of retention in the stump if a larger over-the-scope clip was employed. The high volume of bilious output through the fistula precluded the use of tissue adhesives as a monotherapy. Despite the desired outcome being achieved in our case we suspect this method of closure would be less successful in fistulas complicated by chronic inflammation, infection, or malignancy.