Endoscopic Repair for Sleeve Gastrectomy Leaks Is Associated With a High Rate of Leak Resolution

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Staple line leaks following sleeve gastrectomy have significant morbidity and mortality. Endoscopic repair approaches are increasingly being used and studied, but follow-up time is limited, and more data are needed. Our primary aim was to describe long-term outcomes following repair; secondary aims were to compare repair approaches and assess factors associated with clinical success.

METHODS

We conducted an observational cohort study of patients who underwent endoscopic repair of a sleeve gastrectomy leak from 2017 to 2023 at our tertiary care center. Patients without available follow-up were excluded. Electronic medical records were reviewed to obtain baseline and clinical characteristics; long-term outcomes were ascertained from the electronic medical record and telephonic conversations with patients. Repairs were classified as drainage when transmural stents were placed and as closure when clips, sutures, and/or an intraluminal stent was placed.

RESULTS

A total of 30 patients were included. The majority were females (77%) and Whites (74%), with a median age of 41.0 years (IQR, 35.1-51.8 years). The majority of patients (70%) initially underwent drainage, while the rest underwent closure. Median follow-up time was 1.2 years (IQR, 0.6 -1.6 years). Success rates for the initial repair approach without crossover or requiring surgical repair were 71.4% for drainage and 22.2% for closure (P = 0.02). Overall, 24 (80%) patients had leak resolution at the last follow-up, and the median number of endoscopies was 3 (IQR, 2-4).

CONCLUSION

Our study demonstrates a high rate of long-term leak resolution following endoscopic repair of sleeve gastrectomy leaks. An initial drainage approach may be associated with higher clinical success, although this was not noted in the multivariable analysis. Prospective randomized multicenter studies are needed to further evaluate and compare repair approaches.