Endoscopic Management of Bleeding in Altered Anatomy after Upper Gastrointestinal Surgery

Medicina (Kaunas). 2023 Nov 2;59(11):1941. doi: 10.3390/medicina59111941.

Abstract

Postoperative non variceal upper gastrointestinal haemorrhage may occur early or late and affect a variable percentage of patients-up to about 2%. Most cases of intraluminal bleeding are an indication for urgent Esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) and require endoscopic haemostatic treatment. In addition to the approach usually adopted in non-variceal upper haemorrhages, these cases may be burdened with difficulties in terms of anastomotic tissue, angled positions, and the risk of further complications. There is also extreme variability related to the type of surgery performed, in the context of oncological disease or bariatric surgery. At the same time, the world of haemostatic devices available in digestive endoscopy is increasing, meeting high efficacy rates and attempting to treat even the most complex cases. Our narrative review summarises the current evidence in terms of different approaches to endoscopic haemostasis in upper bleeding in altered anatomy after surgery, proposing an up-to-date guidance for endoscopic clinicians and at the same time, highlighting areas of future scientific research.

Keywords: altered anatomy; anastomotic bleeding; bariatric surgery; endoscopic therapy; marginal ulcers; non-variceal upper gastrointestinal haemorrhage (NVUGIH).

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Digestive System Surgical Procedures*
  • Endoscopy, Gastrointestinal
  • Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage / etiology
  • Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage / surgery
  • Hemostatics*
  • Humans
  • Upper Gastrointestinal Tract*

Substances

  • Hemostatics

Grants and funding

This research received no external funding.