Obesity is a worldwide pandemic, and bariatric surgery is the most effective method
used to treat this disease. Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) is rapidly becoming
the most commonly performed bariatric surgery because it is perceived as being the
“easier technique.” Despite clinical efficacy, adverse events have gradually increased
because of its broad adoption.1, 2, 3
After sleeve leaks, stenosis is the most common adverse event; the incidence is between
0.7% and 4%. Two different entities can cause the obstruction: mechanical stenosis,
often in the body of the sleeve, and axial deviation, occurring at the level of the
incisura angularis.2, 4, 5
Stenosis can be classified into 2 categories: acute and chronic. Acute stenosis can
be caused by mucosal edema and kinking. Chronic stenosis is related to ischemia of
the pouch and retraction due to scarring. Clinically, these patients present with
obstructive symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, retrosternal burning, epigastric pain,
early satiety, and rapid weight loss. To confirm the diagnosis of gastric sleeve stenosis,
radiologic imaging and upper-GI endoscopy are essential.2, 4
Endoscopic management with achalasia balloon dilation (ABD), stent placement, or both,
is a less invasive method, recently used to treat LSG stenosis. Some reports show
a success rate ranging from 41.4% to 86.6% for ABD. However, ABD is not suitable in
some cases because of the length of the stenosis or the length of the gastric sleeve.
In addition, in most patients, several sessions are required to relieve the stenosis.
Fully covered metal stents have a role in resistant cases; however, they are associated
with a high risk of migration: up to 28.2%.2, 3, 4, 5, 6
Currently, the surgical options after endoscopic treatment include Roux-en-Y gastric
bypass conversion and seromyotomy, which have high success rates; however, they are
also associated with high adverse event rates, with leaks being one of the most frequent.
5
Because endoscopic therapies are not always effective in treating stenosis after LSG
and because surgical seromyotomy is associated with a high adverse event rate, we
describe a new technique. This technique is an endoscopic tunneled stricturotomy and
is based on the principles of per-oral endoscopic myotomy. This appears to be a new
option in the noninvasive treatment of post-LSG stenosis.2, 4, 6, 7
We present the case of a 22-year-old obese woman with a history of LSG (Video 1, available
online at www.VideoGIE.org). The surgery was uncomplicated; however, the patient was
slow in advancing her diet. For the first 2 weeks, she was able to tolerate a liquid
diet without any symptoms. However, in the third week, when her diet was advanced
to soft food, she began to experience severe nausea and vomiting. Vomiting usually
occurred immediately or within half an hour after she had eaten a meal.
She underwent EGD, and stenosis at the level of the incisura was noted. An achalasia
balloon (10 cm in length) dilation to 30 mm was performed (Fig. 1). Unfortunately,
because of her short 8-cm sleeve, her gastroesophageal junction was also dilated.
After the procedure, the patient did not respond and continued to have difficulty
with any oral intake of solids.
Figure 1
Upper-GI series demonstrating stenosis after sleeve gastrectomy.
An upper-GI series (barium swallow) demonstrated stenosis at the level of the incisura
(Fig. 2). She was referred for a repeat therapeutic endoscopy. Because the achalasia
balloon was too long, the endoscopic tunneled stricturotomy was used.
Figure 2
Sleeve gastrectomy stenosis identification during EGD.
This new endoscopic tunneled stricturotomy technique is performed in 4 steps: (1)
identification of the precise location of stenosis (Fig. 3); (2) submucosal injection
approximately 5 cm before the stenotic area; (3) submucosal tunneling stricturotomy
(Figure 4, Figure 5, Figure 6, Figure 7); and (4) closure (Fig. 8).
Figure 3
Closer view of the stenosis at the level of incisura angularis during EGD.
Figure 4
Submucosal tunnel dissection.
Figure 5
Identification of the muscular fibers during submucosal tunneling.
Figure 6
Appearance of stricturotomy.
Figure 7
Mucosal closure after endoscopic suturing.
Figure 8
Before and after upper-GI endoscopy.
This procedure was technically successful and without adverse events. During follow-up,
the patient tolerated an oral diet well, maintaining an 800- to 1000-calorie diet
without recurrence of symptoms. An upper-GI series demonstrated significant improvement
of the stenosis (Fig. 9).
Figure 9
Before and after upper-GI series.
Endoscopic tunneled stricturotomy appears technically feasible and safe. This technique
may offer an alternative option for patients in whom balloon dilation is not indicated
or has been unsuccessful. Additional studies are necessary to prove its efficacy.
Disclosure
Dr Aihara is a consultant for Boston Scientific and Olympus. Dr Thompson is a consultant
for Boston Scientific, Olympus, and Apollo Endosurgery. All other authors disclosed
no financial relationships relevant to this publication.