Media Release

Udupi, Oct 6: Novel Endoscopy sponge treatment for esophageal perforation and anastomotic leak procedure, first of its kind performed by department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Kasturba Medical College and Hospital Manipal. This is first time in this part of India. An anastomotic leak occurs when a surgical anastomosis fails and contents of a reconnected body channel leak from the surgical connection. It's one of the most serious complications of bowel resection surgery.

A 51-year-old man was diagnosed with esophageal cancer and underwent surgery followed by chemotherapy. A week later he had developed mediastinitis with anastomotic dehiscence. He was considered for another surgery but the general condition of the patient was not fit for another surgery so The team of doctors Dr Shiran Shetty, Head-Gastroenterology and Hepatology and Dr Balaji from the department, Dr Naveena Kumar, head- department of Surgical Oncology and Dr Joseph Thomas, assistant professor of Plastic Surgery, decided to go for novel treatment called Endosponge / vacuum therapy. Here a sponge with a vacuum was placed in the mediastinum cavity through endoscopy, which helped to close the defect naturally and without any surgery. After three weeks the patient was able to eat orally. Dr Shiran Shetty said that, “this is the first innovative approach to treat patients in this part of South India and is a cost-effective and safe approach”.

Dr Avinash Shetty, Medical Superintendent congratulated the Whole team and said that 'this kind procedure was possible at Kasturba Hospital, Manipal due to the team of expert doctors'.