[Efficacy and Safety of Endoscopic Clousure of Gastrointestinal Fistulas Using a New Endoscopic Suturing System (X-Tack) in Colombia: A Case Series].

Authors

Javier Alberto Preciado Aponte, Eligio Antonio Álvarez Almanza, Elkin Julián Suárez Angarita, Alejandro Concha Mejía, Laura Gaitán Lucena, Manuel Alonso Ardila Báez

Published in

Acta gastroenterologica Latinoamericana. Volume 56. Issue 2. Pages 232-242. Epub Jun 30, 2026.

Abstract

Gastrointestinal fistulas are uncommon but potentially severe conditions associated with infectious collections, bleeding, sepsis, malnutrition, and increased morbidity and mortality. Advances in therapeutic endoscopy have expanded the options for minimally invasive treatment. Endoscopic treatment has become a first-line therapeutic strategy for colorectal anastomotic leaks and fistulas. For esophageal and gastric fistulas, esophageal stents remain a widely used alternative; however, their tolerability may be limited by the location of the defect. The X-Tack™ endoscopic suturing system (Boston Scientific), introduced in 2020, allows for the clousure of anatomical defects through the working channel of the endoscope without requiring scope withdrawal, facilitating access to complex anatomical locations and larger defects.
We present a case series of nine gastrointestinal fistula defects in eight patients treated in Colombia. The locations included the proximal esophagus, stomach, duodenum, colon, and rectum. In all cases, the X-Tack™ endoscopic suturing system was used as part of the therapeutic strategy employed to manage the defects.
The mean age of the patients was 56.5 years, and 62.5% were male. The most common location was the esophagus (50%). The predominant suture pattern was "Z" (87.5%). In all cases, endoscopic closure of the treated defect was achieved, with no procedure-related adverse events and clinical resolution during the reported follow-up period.
In this case series, the X-Tack™ system was used as part of a multimodal therapeutic strategy for the management of complex gastrointestinal fistulas at different anatomical locations. Its use allowed for the closure of the treated defects without procedure-related complications and with clinical resolution, suggesting that it may represent a feasible and safe treatment option in selected patients. Prospective studies with a larger number of patients are needed to more precisely define its role within the therapeutic algorithm for gastrointestinal fistulas.

PMID:
42602853
Bibliographic data and abstract were imported from PubMed on 15 Aug 2026.

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