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CC BY 4.0 · Endoscopy 2024; 56(S 01): E76-E77
DOI: 10.1055/a-2228-4533
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Endoscopic management of a chronic anastomotic leak after a Billroth II procedure

Authors

  • Reid D. Wasserman

    1   Internal Medicine, Virginia Tech Carilion Clinic, Roanoke, United States

  • William F. Abel 

    1   Internal Medicine, Virginia Tech Carilion Clinic, Roanoke, United States

  • Arnold Salzberg

    2   Surgery, Virginia Tech Carilion Clinic, Roanoke, United States

  • Vivek Kesar

    3   Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Virginia Tech Carilion Clinic, Roanoke, United States

  • Paul Yeaton

    3   Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Virginia Tech Carilion Clinic, Roanoke, United States

  • Varun Kesar

    3   Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Virginia Tech Carilion Clinic, Roanoke, United States
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We report the case of a 56-year-old woman with a pertinent past medical history of chronic pancreatitis and peptic ulcer disease, who initially presented with a perforated posterior duodenal ulcer following a Billroth II procedure, which was complicated by a duodenal stump abscess and purulent free fluid in the pelvis. The patient subsequently underwent a computed tomography (CT) scan of the abdomen, which revealed extraluminal contrast extravasation within the left upper quadrant, raising concern of an anastomotic leak ([Fig. 1]). The patient subsequently underwent upper gastrointestinal endoscopy with argon plasma coagulation (APC) and full-thickness endoscopic suturing, with placement of a nasojejunal tube (NJT) in the efferent jejunal limb ([Fig. 2]; [Video 1]). An upper gastrointestinal series was performed the next day, which showed no evidence of residual leakage ([Fig. 3]). The patient was discharged with instructions to remain nil by mouth, and an NJT for tube feeding, along with oral antibiotics. Subsequently, she was started on an oral diet and tolerated this without any complications. At follow-up, 3 months after the procedure, the patient was tolerating solid food well.

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Fig. 1 Computed tomography image of the abdomen showing extraluminal contrast extravasation within the left upper quadrant, raising concern of an anastomotic leak.
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Fig. 2 Endoscopic views showing the anastomotic leak site: a during suturing; b after endoscopic suturing.
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Fig. 3 Radiographic image from an upper gastrointestinal series showing no evidence of contrast extravasation, indicating no leakage, and the nasojejunal tube in the efferent limb.
Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy of a chronic anastomotic leak being treated with argon plasma coagulation (APC) and full-thickness endoscopic suturing, with a subsequent upper gastrointestinal series showing no evidence of residual leakage.Video 1

Billroth II (antrectomy with gastrojejunostomy) serves as a surgical management option for perforated gastric ulcers. Anastomotic leakage is a serious complication of Billroth II surgery and occurs 7–10 days after surgery. Surgical intervention is the mainstay of treatment, but may not be amenable for patients who are high risk for morbidity and mortality [1]. While a wide variety of endoscopic therapies exist for the management of leaks, endoscopic suturing has shown clinical success in retrospective studies [1]. This case demonstrates the successful repair of a chronic anastomotic Billroth II leak using APC and endoscopic suturing. Endoscopic suturing is an effective and alternative intervention that can be used for high risk patients who are unable to undergo traditional surgical intervention.

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Conflict of Interest

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.


Correspondence

Varun Kesar, MD
Interventional Gastroenterology Faculty, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Carilion Clinic – Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine
1906 Belleview Avenue, Roanoke, Virginia 24014
USA   

Publication History

Article published online:
30 January 2024

© 2024. The Author(s). This is an open access article published by Thieme under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, permitting unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction so long as the original work is properly cited. (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).

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Zoom
Fig. 1 Computed tomography image of the abdomen showing extraluminal contrast extravasation within the left upper quadrant, raising concern of an anastomotic leak.
Zoom
Fig. 2 Endoscopic views showing the anastomotic leak site: a during suturing; b after endoscopic suturing.
Zoom
Fig. 3 Radiographic image from an upper gastrointestinal series showing no evidence of contrast extravasation, indicating no leakage, and the nasojejunal tube in the efferent limb.