Endoscopic vacuum therapy: pitfalls, tips and tricks, insights, and perspectives

This article provides a comprehensive review of the use of endoscopic vacuum therapy (EVT) in the management of transmural gastrointestinal (GI) defects (TGIDs) and its future perspectives, such as pre-emptive EVT and novel indications, including GI bleeding and large gastroduodenal ulcers management. This review is based on the available literature data and personal experience to demystify the mentioned limitations of EVT as technical difficulties related to the procedure, possible patients' complaints, and institutions' concerns, by sharing several tips and tricks to overcome EVT-related challenges that may discourage endoscopists from using this live-saving technique, and consequently, restricting patients to receive this therapy, which may lead to undesired outcomes. Several factors, such as placement techniques, EVT type selection, management during its use, EVT system exchanges, device removal, type of anesthesia, and how to avoid EVT-related adverse events are described in detail. Additionally, this review discusses good ways to promote effective communication with patients and relatives, surgeons, and multidisciplinary team. EVT possesses a unique mechanism of action including macro/micro deformation, changes in perfusion (stimulating angioneogenesis), exudate control, and bacterial clearance, promoting healing. EVT has an adequate safety profile and higher clinical success rate compared to any other endoscopic therapy for TGID. Additionally, pre-emptive EVT and its novel indications are promising due to its satisfactory effectiveness in initial studies. Therefore, detailing some practical solutions obtained by years of experience may collaborate to widespread EVT adoption, providing less-invasive treatment for several critical conditions to more patients worldwide.