title: Endoscopic vacuum-assisted closure system (E-VAC): case report and review of the literature.
abstract: Negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) has become a standard in the treatment of chronic and difficult healing wounds. Negative pressure wound therapy is applied to the wound via a special vacuum-sealed sponge. Nowadays, the endoscopic vacuum-assisted wound closure system (E-VAC) has been proven to be an important alternative in patients with upper and lower intestinal leakage not responding to standard endoscopic and/or surgical treatment procedures. Endoscopic vacuum-assisted wound closure system provides perfect wound drainage and closure of various kinds of defect and promotes tissue granulation. Our experience has shown that E-VAC may significantly improve the morbidity and mortality rate. Moreover, E-VAC may be useful in a multidisciplinary approach - from upper gastrointestinal to rectal surgery complications. On the other hand, major limitations of the E-VAC system are the necessity of repeated endoscopic interventions and constant presence of well-trained staff. Further, large-cohort studies need to be performed to establish the applicability and effectiveness of E-VAC before routine widespread use can be recommended.
authors.affiliation: Department of General and Endocrine Surgery and Gastrointestinal Oncology, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznan, Poland.
authors.forename: Maciej
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Borejsza-Wysocki
authors.affiliation: Department of General and Endocrine Surgery and Gastrointestinal Oncology, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznan, Poland.
authors.forename: Krzysztof
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Szmyt
authors.affiliation: Department of General and Endocrine Surgery and Gastrointestinal Oncology, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznan, Poland.
authors.forename: Adam
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bobkiewicz
authors.affiliation: Department of General and Endocrine Surgery and Gastrointestinal Oncology, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznan, Poland.
authors.forename: Stanisław
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Malinger
authors.affiliation: Department of General and Endocrine Surgery and Gastrointestinal Oncology, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznan, Poland.
authors.forename: Józef
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Świrkowicz
authors.affiliation: Department of General and Endocrine Surgery and Gastrointestinal Oncology, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznan, Poland.
authors.forename: Jacek
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Hermann
authors.affiliation: Department of General and Endocrine Surgery and Gastrointestinal Oncology, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznan, Poland.
authors.forename: Michał
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Drews
authors.affiliation: Department of General and Endocrine Surgery and Gastrointestinal Oncology, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznan, Poland.
authors.forename: Tomasz
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Banasiewicz
keywords: Endo-Sponge; endoscopic vacuum-assisted wound closure system; eosophageal leakage; pancreatico-gastric anastomotic insufficiency; rectal anastomotic leakage; vacuum-assisted wound closure therapy