SUCCESSFUL GASTROCUTANEOUS FISTULA CLOSURE WITH ENDOSCOPIC SUTURING SYSTEM

To describe a new closure technic for gastrocutaneous fistula (GCF).

Case description and video.

73-year-old man with hypopharyngeal tumor, requiring percutaneous gastrostomy (PEG) for eleven months. After removal, the patient presented clinic of GCF (gastrointestinal content leakage and signs of infection), confirmed with computerized tomography. Sixteen months later, the fistula persisted despite infection resolution and pantoprazole. Endoscopic closure was performed, consisting in mucosal resection around the internal orifice followed by endoscopic suturing with Oversticth system, intensifying pantoprazole therapy. Two weeks later the patient showed no clinic of GCF.

Endoscopic suturing might be an effective and safe technique for fistula closure.