Innovative advances in endoscopy: the dream of suturing comes true
Magdeburg University Hospital is the first centre outside of Japan to introduce a new therapeutic procedure: endoscopic freehand suturing. This represents a significant innovation in the way mucosal and defect closures are performed. Until now, similar to the early days of laparoscopy, it was not possible to suture with a needle and thread in the same way as traditional surgical techniques.
To close mucosal defects or wall defects in the digestive tract, clips were previously used or sutures had to be implanted and anchored, which was costly and technically complex. Suturing posed a particular challenge, as the precise control of the devices and the need to pass everything through a working channel made knotting impractical and almost impossible. The University Clinic for Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Infectiology Magdeburg, under the direction of Professor Verena Keitel-Anselmino, MD, now presents an efficient solution: Innovative sutures with a special structure that make knotting superfluous, as well as a first needle holder that can be reliably manipulated.
Photo: Thanks to a special needle holder, it has only recently become possible to close mucosal defects in the gastrointestinal tract with a suture as in an operation.Thanks to a special thread, which can only glide through the tissue in one direction due to its structure, it is possible to fix the thread inside the patient without knots.
Author: Prof. Jochen Weigt
Prof. Jochen Weigt, Head of the Endoscopy Department and specialist in internal medicine and gastroenterology, emphasises: "We are proud to be the first centre outside of Tokyo to test this new therapeutic procedure, and we are now using the technology successfully." Under the direction of Prof Weigt in collaboration with the manufacturer of the needle holder, training courses are also being offered for doctors and assistants at other clinics to teach and disseminate the use of this new procedure.
The procedure is currently approved for the closure of mucosal defects, but there is confidence that further indications for the use of this innovative technology will emerge.
This development represents a significant advance in endoscopy. "We look forward to continuing to shape the future of this innovative procedure in medical practice and to developing and researching further applications," says Prof Weigt.
Photo: Doctors are trained in the use of the new procedure on a silicone phantom.
Author: Prof Jochen Weigt