Agustina Bequis1, Marcos Gonzalez2, Julian Fernandez Aramburu2, Pablo Huespe3, Sebastian Duran4, Sung Ho Hyon3, Carlos A Vaccaro2. 1. Department of General Surgery, Hospital Italiano de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina. agustina.bequis@hospitalitaliano.org.ar. 2. Division of Colorectal Surgery, Department of General Surgery, Hospital Italiano de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina. 3. Division of Image Guided Minimally Invasive Surgery, Department of General Surgery, Hospital Italiano de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina. 4. Department of Gastroenterology, Hospital Italiano de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Colorectal anastomotic stricture is a frequent complication that may affect up to 30% of patients. However, a complete obstruction is rare. Endoscopic balloon dilation is the first-line therapy, but it invariably requires being able to cross the stricture with the dilation device. When this is not possible, surgical revision is the alternative, but it is associated with higher morbidity. CASE PRESENTATION: A 76-year-old male patient underwent an urgent high anterior resection with transverse loop colostomy for an occlusive high rectal tumor. On postoperative day 8, he presented with anastomotic leakage and abscess formation, requiring percutaneous drainage. Ten months after surgery, a colonoscopy revealed a complete stricture of the anastomosis, refractory to negotiation of a guide wire, thus precluding balloon dilation. Hence, a modified rendezvous technique was planned. Simultaneously, a flexible endoscope and a rigid rectoscope were progressed through the distal loop colostomy, and the anus, respectively. A needle device was introduced through the rectoscope and used to pierce the colonic stump. A guide wire was progressed, and the stricture was dilated with a controlled radial expansion balloon catheter. Finally, a 12-Fr Foley catheter was left through the anastomosis. A total of three endoscopic balloon dilation sessions were completed, and successful colostomy reversal was carried out 10 days after the last session. CONCLUSION: Fluoroscopy-endoscopy-guided recanalization is an effective and safe treatment option for complete colorectal anastomotic stricture.
BACKGROUND:Colorectal anastomotic stricture is a frequent complication that may affect up to 30% of patients. However, a complete obstruction is rare. Endoscopic balloon dilation is the first-line therapy, but it invariably requires being able to cross the stricture with the dilation device. When this is not possible, surgical revision is the alternative, but it is associated with higher morbidity. CASE PRESENTATION: A 76-year-old male patient underwent an urgent high anterior resection with transverse loop colostomy for an occlusive high rectal tumor. On postoperative day 8, he presented with anastomotic leakage and abscess formation, requiring percutaneous drainage. Ten months after surgery, a colonoscopy revealed a complete stricture of the anastomosis, refractory to negotiation of a guide wire, thus precluding balloon dilation. Hence, a modified rendezvous technique was planned. Simultaneously, a flexible endoscope and a rigid rectoscope were progressed through the distal loop colostomy, and the anus, respectively. A needle device was introduced through the rectoscope and used to pierce the colonic stump. A guide wire was progressed, and the stricture was dilated with a controlled radial expansion balloon catheter. Finally, a 12-Fr Foley catheter was left through the anastomosis. A total of three endoscopic balloon dilation sessions were completed, and successful colostomy reversal was carried out 10 days after the last session. CONCLUSION: Fluoroscopy-endoscopy-guided recanalization is an effective and safe treatment option for complete colorectal anastomotic stricture.
Entities:
Keywords:
Case report; Colorectal anastomosis; Endoscopy; Recanalization; Rendezvous; Stricture