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.