New therapeutic approach for anastomotic leaks after ileoanal J-pouch construction in patients with ulcerative colitis
Anastomotic leaks are severe adverse events in ileoanal J-pouch (IJP) constructions for ulcerative colitis patients, potentially causing long-term dysfunction and pouch failure. Here, we present the VACStent (diameter 36 mm, length 80 mm, MICRO-Tech, Düsseldorf, Germany) designed for the lower GI tract as a new treatment option. This self-expandable metal stent is encased in a polyurethane sponge cylinder with an interior silicone membrane, which is impermeable to gas and fluids, connected to a vacuum pump via catheter tubing (A).
