VacStent GITM combines the advantages of the covered stent with those of improving wound healing through vaccum drainage.
VacStent GITM targets the clinical problems of perforations and surgical leaks in the gastrointestinal tract (esophagus, stomach, intestine, colon). These represent a special clinical challenge, which is associated with high morbidity and mortality. Endoscopic procedures are able to significantly improve the treatment options, but are each associated with procedural restrictions and disadvantages.
The commonly used solutions are (i) fully covered stents (no vacuum) and (ii) endoscopic vacuum therapy with a polyurethane sponge (no stent). Now, in the case (i) a stent can seal the leakage, but in over 50% of the cases will move (be dislocated) by the peristaltic dynamics. Also, a stent cannot drain the wound secretions. On the other hand, the endoluminal vacuum sponge of case (ii) brings all the benefits of vacuum treatment but blocks the passage of the gastrointestinal tract, which brings new clinical problems or is flatly not applicable.
VacStent GITM is a patented innovation in endoscopic therapy for leaks because it combines the advantages of the covered stent with those of improving wound healing through vacuum drainage.
It has obtained the CE mark as a class 2 B medical device. Clinical applications in the esophagus have so far been carried out as part of clinical studies and accompanied implantations.
VacStent GITM consists of a silicone-coated, self-expanding superelastic NiTi stent with a cylindrical polyurethane sponge on the outside, connected via catheter to a vacuum source. A continuous suction of -80 to -120 mm Hg is applied to the sponge. VacStent GITM is as easy to apply as any GI-stent. It won’t dislocate because the suction keeps it in place, even in difficult topographic locations of the GI tract. However, it allows for open passage of endoscopic instruments, enteral nutrition and intestinal contents.
Typical application cases are:
- Perforation of the esophagus
- Esophageal anastomosis insufficiency
- Endoscopic vacuum therapy
- Perforation of the colon
Studies
The VACStent trial: Combined treatment of esophageal leaks by covered stent and endoscopic vacuum therapy
Vacuum stent: a game-changer in endoscopic multistep management of leakage following bariatric surgery
Treatment of anastomotic leak in colorectal surgery by endoluminal vacuum therapy with the VACStent avoiding a stoma - a pilot study
VACStent as an innovative approach in the treatment of anastomotic insufficiencies and leakages in the gastrointestinal tract—review and outlook
Treatment of esophageal leakages with the Microtech®-VAC-Stent: a monocentric early experience of three cases
Clinical implantation of 92 VACStents in the upper gastrointestinal tract of 50 patients—applicability and safety analysis of an innovative endoscopic concept
Vacuum-stent: A combination of endoscopic vacuum therapy and an intraluminal stent for treatment of esophageal transmural defects
A new hybrid stent using endoscopic vacuum therapy in treating esophageal leaks: a prospective single-center experience of its safety and feasibility with mid-term follow-up
VACStent:Combining the benefits of endoscopic vacuum therapy and covered stents for upper gastrointestinal tract leakage
Training
Video
Vacuumstent - clinical application
Optimal treatment of anastomotic insufficiencies and intestinal leakages
Contact us, if you want to learn more about our VacStent
VAC Stent GmbH is a joint venture between Möller Medical GmbH and a clinical expert. We have jointly developed the innovative stent system VacStent GITM for gastrointestinal use.