Endoscopic plication of massively bleeding peptic ulcer by using the Eagle Claw VII device: a feasibility study in a porcine model

Background and objective We examined the efficacy of endoscopic plication when using Eagle Claw VII in a porcine bleeding ulcer model. Animal model preparation The right gastroepiploic artery (diameter 1.5-2 mm) was isolated and was tunneled to small gastrotomies at either the lesser or greater curvature of the stomach. Interventions We applied the Eagle Claw VII to achieve hemostasis. Main outcome measurements The survival of the pigs after endoscopic plication for hemostasis, time to achieve hemostasis with Eagle Claw VII, recurrent bleeding, number of successful plication, and number of suture remained. Results Endoscopic plication was performed on bleeding gastric ulcers in 6 pigs. The time to achieve hemostasis was 6 minutes 56 seconds ± 3 minutes 50 seconds. There was no complication. A total of 14 plications were performed. All animals survived for 1 week without recurrent bleeding. At the postmortem, 10 of the plication sutures remained. Limitation Our model cannot simulate the chronicity of peptic ulcer. Conclusions In this porcine model, the Eagle Claw VII effectively stopped bleeding from arteries 2 mm in size.