Enormous postoperative perforation after endoscopic submucosal dissection for duodenal cancer successfully treated with filling and shielding by polyglycolic acid sheets with fibrin glue and computed tomography-guided abscess puncture

A female in her 70s underwent esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) for screening, and a 0-IIa lesion measuring approximately 15 mm was detected in the descending portion of the duodenum. Due to the malignant potency of the lesion, endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) was performed. Microperforation occurred during ESD. The lesion was removed en bloc and the post-ESD ulcer bed was closed with clips. The next day, the patient had abdominal pain and computed tomography (CT) revealed a small amount of free air in the retroperitoneal space. Since there were no findings to suggest panperitonitis, conservative medical management including fasting and antibiotics was continued. Abdominal pain subsequently improved. However, EGD on the 8th day after ESD for follow-up showed shedding of the post-ESD ulcer that penetrated the retroperitoneal space. A surgical approach was not indicated because a few days may have already passed since postoperative perforation occurred and the spread of inflammation to the retroperitoneum was suspected. In an attempt to promote closure of the perforated cavity, we patched polyglycolic acid sheets and fibrin glue to the cavity wall on days 17, 18, and 20 after ESD. The formation of granulation tissue was detected in the cavity one week later. CT showed an abscess in the right retroperitoneum, for which CT-guided abscess puncture was performed. Thereafter, the cavity gradually decreased. After the initiation of oral intake on postoperative day (POD) 63, the general condition of the patient was stable and she was discharged on POD 87. Polyglycolic acid sheets with fibrin glue and CT-guided abscess puncture were useful for closing the large cavity that developed after duodenal postoperative perforation.