Anastomotic leaks after digestive surgery have an important impact on surgical outcome. They represent a real therapeutic challenge because of the high morbidity and mortality rates. Multiple treatment options exist, often combining interventional radiology and endoscopy and even redo surgery. To improve patient outcomes, it is of the utmost importance to provide an individualized patient-tailored treatment plan after multidisciplinary discussion. EVT is nowadays recognized as an effective and useful endoscopic approach to treat leaks or perforations in both the upper and lower gastrointestinal tract. Moreover, it has become one of the most effective treatment options overall with a very good safety profile. However, it is a time-consuming endeavour requiring engagement from the endoscopist and understanding from the patient.

Supplementary Materials: The following supporting information can be downloaded at: https:
//www.mdpi.com/article/10.3390/life13061412/s1, Video S1: Procedure of EVT in a patient with anastomotic leak after oesophagectomy.

“Anastomotic leaks after gastrointestinal surgery have an important impact on surgical
outcomes because of the high morbidity and mortality rates. Multiple treatment options exist
requiring an individualized patient-tailored treatment plan after multidisciplinary discussion.
Endoscopic vacuum therapy (EVT) is a novel treatment option that is nowadays recognized as an effective and useful endoscopic approach to treat leaks or perforations in both the upper and lower gastrointestinal tract. EVT has a very good safety profile. However, it is a time-consuming endeavour requiring engagement from the endoscopist and understanding from the patient. To the unexperienced, the EVT technique may be prone to several hurdles which may deter endoscopists from using it and depriving patients from a potentially life-saving therapeutic option.”

Monino L, Moreels TG. Endoscopic Vacuum Therapy of Upper Gastrointestinal Anastomotic Leaks: How to Deal with the Challenges (with Video). Life (Basel). 2023 Jun 19;13(6):1412.