Treatment of anastomotic leak in colorectal surgery by endoluminal vacuum therapy with the VACStent avoiding a stoma - a pilot study.

Purpose: Anastomotic leak (AL) represents the most relevant and devastating complication in colorectal surgery. Endoscopic vacuum therapy (EVT) using the VACStent is regarded as a significant improvement in the treatment of upper gastrointestinal wall defects. The innovative concept of the VACStent was transferred to the lower GI tract, gaining initial experience by investigating safety and efficacy in 12 patients undergoing colorectal resections.

VacStent as an Innovative Approach in the Treatment of Anastomotic Insufficiencies and Leakages in the Gastrointestinal Tract-Review and Outlook.

Anastomotic insufficiencies are severe complications of abdominal surgery, often leading to prolonged hospitalization, serious tissue inflammation, and even sepsis, along with the need for recurrent surgery. Current non-surgical treatments such as self-expanding metal stents (SEMSs) and endoscopic vacuum therapy (EVT) have limitations, including stent migration or perforation. This review evaluates the effectiveness of the VacStent GI (Möller Medical GmbH, Fulda, Germany), a novel medical device combining SEMS and negative-pressure wound therapy in treating gastrointestinal leaks.