Video Author: Robert Vandewalle

This video describes division of a gastroesophageal fistula in a 16 year old female with a history of prior Nissen fundoplication and gastrostomy tube placement as an infant. She presented to our clinic with progressive dysphagia and epigastric pain over a 2 month period. Initial attempts were made to divide the stapler using only a 12mm transgastric port at the prior gastrostomy site for the stapling device and an endoscope for visualization. Ultimately division required placement of an additional 5mm transgastric port for a laparoscope. Using both endoscopic and laparscopic visualization, the fistula was able to be divided using a standard laparoscopic stapler. At the completion of the procedure, the 5mm gastrotomy was closed and a gastrostomy tube was placed at the 12mm trocar site, which was then removed 2 months later. The patient’s dypshagia improved after the procedure and her gastrostomy tube site closed without event.