Use of the Over the Scope Clip to Close Perforations and Fistulas

In gastrointestinal perforation or fistula, endoscopic closure techniques could be used as alternatives to surgery. Early endoscopic recognition and treatment of gastrointestinal perforation is the most important factor determining procedural success and clinical outcomes. The over-the-scope clip with full-thickness grasping capability provides greater technical and clinical success rates compared with the through-the-scope clips. Although the technical success rate of chronic fistula closure is comparable to perforation closure, it has a significantly lower clinical success owing to its less healthy tissue edge of the fistula. The over-the-scope clip system should be considered before surgery for the closure of perforation and fistula.