Luso-Cor Stent Compared to Other Endoscopic Techniques for Management of Fistulas and Anastomotic Dehiscences(ES-LCCE-UDFM) (ES-LCCE-UDFM)

May 5, 2026 updated by: Carlos Noronha Ferreira, Unidade Local de Saúde Santa Maria

Efficacy and Safety of the Luso-Cor Esophageal Stent Compared to Other Endoscopic Techniques in the Management of Fistulas and Anastomotic Dehiscences After Upper Digestive Tract Surgery (ES-LCCE-UDFM)

The global prevalence of obesity has prompted an increase in bariatric surgery, which is the only management strategy that provides long-term weight loss and improvement of obesity-related diseases. Bariatric surgeries include sleeve gastrectomy(SG), Roux-en-Y gastric bypass(RYGB),and laparoscopically adjustable gastric banding(LAGB). The incidence of adverse events depends on the type of bariatric surgery performed, with serious adverse events occurring in approximately 4% and mortality in 0.1% patients. The incidence of fistulas after SG varies between 0.2% to 2.5% and between 1% and 4.9% in patients who have undergone an RYGB. The incidence of strictures after SG is approximately 0.35%. Older, more obese, and male patients with multiple comorbidities related to obesity are at increased risk for the development of fistulas and mortality following bariatric surgery. Additionally, surgery after LAGB increases the risk of adverse events.

This study will compare the efficacy and safety of the Luso-Cor esophageal stent versus conventional covered metallic stents versus endoscopic vacuum therapy in the management of fistulas and anastomotic dehiscences after oncologic or bariatric surgery on the stomach and esophagus.

Study Overview

Status

Enrolling by invitation

Conditions

Intervention / Treatment

Detailed Description

The morbidity and mortality related to adverse events increases with surgical re-exploration at the site of a fistula orifice. For this reason, management of fistulas after bariatric surgery has shifted from a surgical to a primarily endoscopic approach, primarily with covered metallic stents, with fistula closure success rates between 75% and 100%. However, a primarily endoscopic approach is demanding in terms of resource use, and the high incidence of stent migration often requires multiple reinterventions - both endoscopically and surgically.

The Luso-Cor esophageal stent was designed to take into account altered anatomy after bariatric surgery and to overcome strictures in the gastric tube, which can be concomitantly present in patients with fistulas following SG. A pilot study involving 15 patients with fistulas after sleeve gastrectomy managed with the Luso-Cor esophageal stent showed a 100% rate of fistula closure, low rate of adverse events with only one episode of stent dysfunction.

A recent meta-analysis suggested that endoscopic vacuum therapy (EVT) was associated with a 21% increase in successful fistula closure compared to self expanding metallic stents (RD 0.21, CI 0.10-0.32; P = 0.0003), a 12% reduction in mortality compared to stenting (RD 0.12, CI 0.03-0.21; P = 0.006) and an average reduction of 14.22 days in duration of treatment (CI 8.38-20.07; P < 0.00001). Additionally, EVT was associated with a 24% reduction in adverse events (RD 0.24, CI 0.13-0.35; P = 0.0001. There were no statistical differences between the studied therapies regarding the length of hospital stay.

Therefore, this study aims to evaluate and compare the success of the novel Luso-Cor esophageal stent in the exclusion of fistulas, reinterventions, stent-related adverse events, duration of hospitalization and its efficacy in the management of fistulas after SG compared to other stents or EVT.

Hypothesis of the study The novel concept of esophageal anchoring of a specially designed long stent may be useful in management of fistulas after gastric surgery with high success rate and minimal morbidity compared to conventionally available esophageal or bariatric surgery stents and EVT.

Objectives of the study

To evaluate and compare the performance of the Luso-Cor oesophageal stent with other stents or EVT in management of fistulas after bariatric and oncologic surgery on the upper digestive tract with regard to:

  • Technical success defined as successful deployment of the stent at the desired location and exclusion of the fistula orifice.
  • Clinical efficacy defined as successful closure of the fistula orifice after stent removal.
  • Safety - Early and late adverse events related to stent placement.
  • Duration of hospitalization
  • Number of endoscopic procedures required till fistula closure
  • Mortality

Inclusion criteria Patients undergoing endoscopic management of fistulas after bariatric surgery or dehiscences of esophago-jejunal, esophago-gastric or gastro-jejunal anastomosis after esophageal or gastric oncologic surgery will be included in the study.

Exclusion criteria

  • Pregnancy
  • Age < 18years
  • Inability to give informed consent.

Type of study: Prospective observational multicentre study.

Materials and methods Conventional covered metallic and bariatric surgery stents and EVT will be used as per standard of care.

Design features of the Luso-Cor esophageal stent: This is a specifically designed stent to manage fistulas after sleeve gastrectomy, Roux-en-Y gastric bypass and esophago-jejunal anastomotic dehiscences after total gastrectomy. This metallic stent measuring 24 cm in length is covered with silicone and has three sections: 1) A proximal flared portion with diameters of 30, 34 and 36 mm measuring 6 cm in length; 2) Middle narrow portion with a fixed diameter of 20 mm measuring 16 cm in length; and 3) Distal flared portion with a fixed diameter of 30 mm measuring 2 cm in length.

Esophageal anchoring, is achieved through the larger diameter of the proximal flared portion compared to conventional stents and a 5 mm uncovered portion located 1 cm below the proximal edge of the stent. The remainder of the stent is covered with a thin silicone coating. This contrasts with the conventional partially covered metallic esophageal stents which usually have at least 1 cm of uncovered portions near the proximal and distal edges.

There are two zones within the middle narrowed portion of the stent which allow articulation of the stent on itself up to 90º. This allows the stent to adapt to altered anatomy and peristaltic activity of the foregut. The distal flared portion of the stent is designed to be placed in the gastric antrum or in the proximal jejunum, to avoid peri-stent reflux of enteric fluid.

Radio-opaque markers are placed at the proximal and distal edge of the stent and at the junction of the proximal flared portion with the middle narrow portion, unlike conventional metallic esophageal where the radio-opaque markers are placed at the stent edges and in the middle.

Stent placement: Placement of the stent is done by over the wire technique and ideally with X-ray imaging control. It can also be done with endoscopic control by the bedside in emergencies. The distal edge of the stent should be placed at least 2 cm proximal to the pylorus and the proximal flared portion should be placed in the distal esophagus, at least 2 cm above the esophago-gastric junction or esophago-jejunal anastomosis. During stent delivery, after verifying opening of the distal flare of the stent near the pylorus, the endoscopist should focus on the radio-opaque markers in the proximal portion of the stent which are separated by 6 cm so that the proximal flare is liberated in the distal third of the esophagus.

Due to the usually smaller diameter of the esophagus in women, we recommend the use of the Luso-Cor esophageal stent with proximal flare of 30 mm diameter in women and 34 and 36 mm diameters in men. However, the endoscopist should choose the ideal diameter based on the endoscopic assessment of the esophageal lumen diameter prior to stent placement.

After deployment, the stent should be kept in place for at least 4 weeks and up to a maximum of 12 weeks. An oral contrast study should be done 48 to 72 hoursafter stent deployment to confirm effective exclusion of fistula orifice after which oral dietary intake may be commenced. All patients should receive proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) twice a day with a recommendation for head elevation in the supine position to decrease reflux esophagitis.

Stent Removal: Stent removal is easy compared to conventional stents. It requires ablation of the mucosal ingrowth in the 5mm uncovered portion near the proximal edge of the stent with argon plasma 50W/1L, followed by scraping of the tissue with a cap applied at the tip of the endoscope and capture of the drawstring at the proximal edge of the stent with a rat tooth forceps.

Clinical data and management strategy of patients with fistulas or anastomotic dehiscences:

The type of stent used or option for use of EVT as first line endoscopic option will be at the discretion of the endoscopist.

The Luso-Cor esophageal stent was approved for clinical use in Portugal in 2016 by regulatory authorities (INFARMED).

After diagnosis of fistulas, whenever required, patients should undergo surgical peritoneal toillete either by laparotomy or laparoscopy with placement of abdominal drains.

Informed consent for endoscopic procedures to manage fistulas or anastomotic dehiscences will be obtained from all patients.

The location and size of the fistula orifice will be determined and the presence of concomitant stricture of the gastric tube noted endoscopically.

Fistulas will be considered as acute if endoscopy was performed within one month of surgery and chronic if performed >1 month after surgery.

Whenever possible, the fistula orifice will be closed with either through the scope clips(TTSCs) or the over the scope clips(OTSCs). Small fistula orifices measuring <5 mm will be initially managed with either TTSCs or OTSCs.

The Luso-Cor esophageal stent may be used as the first option in patients with fistula orifices >5 mm either alone or in combination with OTSCs or TTSCs, in those patients who have fistula persistence after initial application of TTSCs or OTSCs or in those with concomitant stricture in the gastric tube detected endoscopically.

Gastroesophageal reflux disease after stent placement will be managed with double dose PPI and sucralfate 1g up to 4 times a day.

Definitions Technical success will be defined as correct placement and coaptation of the stent at the previously planned location under fluoroscopic imaging with radio-opaque markers with effective exclusion of fistula orifice.

Clinical efficacy will be defined as closure of the fistula orifice after Luso-Cor esophageal stent removal. Definitive closure of the fistula orifice should be confirmed by contrast injection during endoscopy and / or oral contrast study after Luso-Cor esophageal stent removal.

A secondary endpoint of clinical efficacy will be the effectiveness of the Luso-Cor esophageal stent or other stents in managing fistulas in the gastric tube after vertical gastrectomy.

Stent related adverse events will be defined as early (within 1 week of stent placement) and late (> 1 week after stent placement) and include stent migration, perforation, hemorrhage, stent fracture and mortality.

Primary outcome for this study will be closure of the fistula orifice after stent removal. Secondary outcomes will be effectiveness of the stent in managing strictures in the gastric tube, stent-related adverse events, number of endoscopies, motives for endoscopic reinterventions and the number of stents used, duration of hospitalization and fistula or stent-related mortality.

Simple fistulas will be defined as fistulas communicating between a hollow organ and the peritoneum or pleura (Gastro-pleural or gastro-peritoneal).

Complex fistulas will be defined as fistulas communicating between two hollow organs (Gastro-bronquial) or between a hollow organ and the skin (Gastro-cutaneous) or those with sub-divisions and multiple trajectories in continuity with a fistula orifice.

All procedures will be performed in accordance with the ethical standards of the institution and with the 1964 Helsinki declaration.

Statistical Analysis Qualitative data will be presented as percentages and quantitative data as median (Min-Max). Factors at baseline predicting technical success, clinical success, clinical efficacy and development of adverse events will be evaluated using the Logistic regression analysis.

Qualitative data will be compared with the Chi-square test and quantitative data will be compared with the Student´s t test or Mann-Whitney test if the distribution is normal or non-normal.

Multivariate analysis will take into account all factors at baseline associated with the outcomes measured (p<0,1) and will be performed using the backward stepwise regression.

A p value <0,05 will be considered statistically significant. Data will be analyzed using IBM SPSS 21 (SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL, USA).

Study Type

Observational

Enrollment (Estimated)

180

Contacts and Locations

This section provides the contact details for those conducting the study, and information on where this study is being conducted.

Study Locations

  • Portugal
    • Lisbon District
      • Lisbon, Lisbon District, Portugal, 1649-035
        • Serviço de Gastrenterologia e Hepatologia, Unidade Local de Saúde Santa Maria

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Ages Eligible for Study

  • Adult
  • Older Adult

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Sampling Method

Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

Patients who develop fistulas or anastomotic dehiscences after oncologic surgery on the stomach or esophagus or after bariatric surgery.

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Patients undergoing endoscopic management of fistulas after bariatric surgery or dehiscences of esophago-jejunal or gastro-jejunal anastomosis after esophageal or gastric oncologic surgery will be included in the study.

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Pregnancy
  • Age < 18years
  • Inability to give informed consent.

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

Cohorts and Interventions

Group / Cohort
Intervention / Treatment
Fistulas after oncologic or bariatric surgery on the stomach or esophagus
Patients who develop fistulas after oncologic surgery on the stomach or esophagus or those patients who develop fistulas after bariatric surgery (Vertical or sleeve gastrectomy or gastric bypass) managed endoscopically with endoscopic vacuum therapy group.
Procedure: Endoscopic management of fistulas with stents or vacum therapy
A prospective registry of patients who develop fistulas after oncologic surgery on the stomach or esophagus as well as those after bariatric surgery and managed endoscopically with stents or endoscopic vacuum therapy will be evaluated to assess and compare the efficacy and safety of the Luso-Cor versus conventional partially or fully covered metallic stents or bariatric stents or endoscopic vacuum therapy.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Compare the efficacy of the Luso-Cor versus conventional stents versus endoscopic vacuum therapy in the management of fistulas after oncologic surgery on the stomach and esophagus and bariatric surgery in terms of fistula closure.
Time Frame: 36 months for recruitment of 180 patients.
To evaluate and compare the performance of the Luso-Cor oesophageal stent with other stents or EVT in management of fistulas after bariatric and oncologic surgery on the upper digestive tract with regard to fistula closure rate expressed as percentage
36 months for recruitment of 180 patients.
Compare the safety of the Luso-Cor versus conventional stents versus endoscopic vacuum therapy in the management of fistulas after oncologic surgery on the stomach and esophagus and bariatric surgery in terms of rate of adverse events
Time Frame: 36 months for recruitment of 180 patients.
To evaluate and compare the safety of the Luso-Cor oesophageal stent with other stents or EVT in management of fistulas after bariatric and oncologic surgery on the upper digestive tract with regard to early and late adverse event rate expressed as percentage.
36 months for recruitment of 180 patients.

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Compare the technical success of the Luso-Cor versus conventional stents versus endoscopic vacuum therapy in the management of fistulas after oncologic surgery on the stomach and esophagus and bariatric surgery
Time Frame: 36 months for recruitment of 180 patients.
Technical success is defined as successful deployment of the stent at the desired location and exclusion of the fistula orifice and will be expressed as percentage.
36 months for recruitment of 180 patients.
Compare duration of hospitalization in patients developing fistulas after oncologic surgery on the stomach and esophagus or bariatric surgery managed with the Luso-Cor versus conventional stents versus endoscopic vacuum therapy.
Time Frame: 36 months for recruitment of 180 patients.
Compare the duration of hospitalization in patients who developed fistulas after oncologic surgery on the stomach and esophagus and bariatric surgery managed with the Luso-Cor versus conventional stents versus endoscopic vacuum therapy in weeks expressed as median (min-max).
36 months for recruitment of 180 patients.
Compare the number of endoscopies till fistula closure in patients managed with the Luso-Cor versus conventional stents versus endoscopic vacuum therapy who developed fistulas after oncologic surgery on the stomach and esophagus or bariatric surgery.
Time Frame: 36 months for recruitment of 180 patients.
Compare the number of endoscopic procedures required till fistula closure in patients managed with the Luso-Cor versus conventional stents versus endoscopic vacuum therapy who developed fistulas after oncologic surgery on the stomach and esophagus and bariatric surgery expressed as median (min - max)
36 months for recruitment of 180 patients.
Compare the mortality in patients who developed fistulas after oncologic surgery on the stomach and esophagus and bariatric surgery, managed with the Luso-Cor versus conventional stents versus endoscopic vacuum therapy.
Time Frame: 36 months for recruitment of 180 patients.
Compare the mortality in patients who developed fistulas after oncologic surgery on the stomach and esophagus and bariatric surgery, managed with the Luso-Cor versus conventional stents versus endoscopic vacuum therapy expressed as a percentage.
36 months for recruitment of 180 patients.

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Sponsor

Unidade Local de Saúde Santa Maria

Investigators

  • Principal Investigator: Carlos Noronha Ferreira, MD, MSc, PhD, Serviço de Gastrenterologia e Hepatologia, Unidade Local de Saúde Santa Maria

Publications and helpful links

The person responsible for entering information about the study voluntarily provides these publications. These may be about anything related to the study.

General Publications

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start (Actual)

January 1, 2025

Primary Completion (Estimated)

January 1, 2028

Study Completion (Estimated)

January 1, 2030

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

February 18, 2025

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

March 3, 2025

First Posted (Actual)

March 6, 2025

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Actual)

May 6, 2026

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

May 5, 2026

Last Verified

May 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

Keywords

Additional Relevant MeSH Terms

Other Study ID Numbers

  • 001 (Buy Pharma Ecza Deposu San. Tic. Ltd.)

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?

NO

IPD Plan Description

This is an investigator driven study which aims to evaluate and compare efficacy of the Luso-Cor esophageal stent versus conventional covered stents versus endoscopic vacuum therapy in the management of fistulas after oncologic surgery on the stomach and esophagus and bariatric surgery

Drug and device information, study documents

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product

No

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product

No

This information was retrieved directly from the website clinicaltrials.gov without any changes. If you have any requests to change, remove or update your study details, please contact register@clinicaltrials.gov. As soon as a change is implemented on clinicaltrials.gov, this will be updated automatically on our website as well.

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