Endoscopic management of iatrogenic gastrointestinal defects with the over-the-scope clip (OTSC) system: an updated systematic review

Background Management of iatrogenic gastrointestinal (GI) defects traditionally required surgical interventions. Recently, the over-the-scope-clip system (OTSC) has been reported to be effective for GI defects. So we aimed to conduct an updated systematic review to evaluate the clinical safety and efficacy of the OTSC system for the management of iatrogenic GI defects. Material and methods Studies published in PubMed, Embase and Cochrane library from January 2006 to December 2018 were searched. The literature was selected independently by two reviewers according to inclusion and exclusion criteria. The statistical analysis was carried out using Comprehensive Meta-Analysis software version 3.0. Results A total of 12 studies including 191 patients with iatrogenic GI defects were identified. The major causes for iatrogenic GI defects were endoscopic submucosal dissection (n = 79) and endoscopic mucosal resection (n = 31). Pooled technical success was achieved in 182 patients (89.1%; 95% confidence interval (CI), 81.6%-93.8%, I-2 =41.06%), and the pooled clinical success was achieved in 170 patients (85.2%; 95% CI, 71.9%-92.8%, I-2=58.92%). Two patients (1%) suffered complications after OTSC system procedures. Conclusions Our study revealed that endoscopic closure of iatrogenic GI defects by the OTSC system was a safe and effective approach. Further randomized controlled trials are warranted to compare the OTSC system to other treatment modalities.

Automated summary

The OTSC system showed high rates of technical and clinical success in treating iatrogenic GI defects, with low complication rates. Further randomized controlled trials are needed to compare the OTSC system with other treatment modalities.