Endoscopic gastroenteric anastomosis using magnets.
BACKGROUND
Current management of malignant obstruction of the upper digestive tract includes surgical gastrointestinal bypass or endoscopic insertion of self-expandable metal stents. The safety, efficacy, and long-term patency rates of anastomoses created using the novel technique of endoscopic gastroenteric anastomosis using magnets (EGAM) are evaluated in this study.


METHODS
15 patients (13 men, 2 women; mean age 64.5 years) with malignant obstruction, who underwent EGAM and had monthly follow-up between December 2001 and May 2003, were included in this study.


RESULTS
The procedure was successful in 13 patients (88.66 %). The mean survival was 5.23 months. There were four minor complications (30.76 %) during the follow-up period.


CONCLUSIONS
Our results demonstrate the feasibility, safety. and efficacy of this technique for creating a gastroenteric anastomosis. The success rate was 86.6 %, there were no immediate complications, and there was no mortality related to the procedure.
Chopita
N
N
Department of Gastroenterology, San Martin Hospital, La Plata, Argentina. chopita@netverk.com.ar
Vaillaverde
A
A
Cope
C
C
Bernedo
A
A
Martinez
H
H
Landoni
N
N
Jmelnitzky
A
A
Burgos
H
H
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000714:Anastomosis, Surgical / Q000379:methods*; D004067:Digestive System Neoplasms / Q000150:complications; D004386:Duodenum / Q000601:surgery*; D016099:Endoscopy, Gastrointestinal; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D017219:Gastric Outlet Obstruction / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008280:Magnetics; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010865:Pilot Projects; D015607:Stents; D013270:Stomach / Q000601:surgery*; D016896:Treatment Outcome