Over-the-scope clip application for severe gastrointestinal bleeding, leak, or perforation: A single-center experience

BACKGROUND: Over-the-scope clip (OTSC) devices are now widely used by endoscopists for gastrointestinal bleeding, perforation, or leakage. The present study aims to examine the therapeutic success rate of this technique. METHODS: This was a single-center, retrospective study. In this study, 23 patients with gastrointestinal bleeding, leakage, or perforation were included. The procedure was performed by an experienced endoscopist. RESULTS: Of the patients with an upper gastrointestinal tract defect, six had a perforation and there was one case of anastomosis leakage. Eight patients had a perforation in the lower gastrointestinal tract, and there were two cases of anastomosis leakage. Bleeding was detected in only six patients and all of them were upper gastrointestinal bleeding. Anastomosis leaks, perforations, and bleeding were treated with OTSC and additional procedures. The success rate of OTSC clipping alone was 56.5%. However, the success rate was 86.9% with additional therapeutic procedures (clamp, stent, sclerotherapy). Analysis according to categories of bleeding, perforation, and anastomosis leak revealed that the success rate of the clip application in bleeding was significantly higher than that of perforation or anastomosis leak (p=0.002). The median length of stay in the hospital was five days (min-max: 2-30 days). There were no complications associated with the OTSC procedure. CONCLUSION: OTSC is a safe and effective method for the management of gastrointestinal bleeding, perforation, or anastomosis leak.