Endoscopic Negative Pressure Therapy (ENPT) is Superior to Stent Therapy for Staple Line Leak after Sleeve Gastrectomy: a Single-Center Cohort Study

Purpose Staple line leak (SLL) is a serious complication after sleeve gastrectomy (SG). Common endoscopic treatment options include self-expandable metallic stent (SEMS), endoscopic internal drainage (EID), and endoscopic closure. The endoscopic negative pressure therapy (ENPT) is a promising treatment option combining temporary sealing of the defect with drainage of the inflammatory bed. In this study, we compare the outcome of ENPT and SEMS for the treatment of SLL following SG. Materials and Methods A retrospective cohort of 27 patients (21 females) treated at a single center for SLL after SG was included. ENPT was primary therapy for 14 patients and compared with 13 patients treated primarily using SEMS. Results ENPT was associated with a significant reduction of hospital stay (19 +/- 15.1 vs. 56.69 +/- 47.21 days, p = 0.027), reduced duration of endoscopic treatment (9.8 +/- 8.6 vs. 44.92 +/- 60.98 days, p = 0.009), and shorter transabdominal drain dwell time (15 (5-96) vs. 45 (12-162) days, p = 0.014) when compared to SEMS. Whereas endoscopic management was successful in 12/14 (85.7%) of patients from the ENPT group, SEMS was successful in only 5/13 (38.5%) of patients (p = 0.015). Furthermore, ENPT was associated with a significant reduction of endoscopic adverse events compared with SEMS (14.3% vs. 76.92% p = 0.001). Conclusion Compared with SEMS, ENPT is effective and safe in treating SLL after SG providing higher success rates, shorter treatment duration, and lower adverse events rates.