Hemoclipping of chronic canine ulcers: a randomized, prospective study of initial deployment success, clip retention rates, and ulcer healing.

BACKGROUND: Several different hemoclips are marketed for endoscopic hemostasis of nonvariceal upper GI (UGI) bleeding. No previous reports have compared success rates of clip deployment onto bases of chronic gastric ulcers (GUs), clip retention rates, or their influence on ulcer healing.

OBJECTIVES: For the treatment of chronic GUs, to compare 3 different hemoclips with multipolar electrocoagulation (MPEC) and control.

DESIGN: Randomized, controlled study.

SUBJECTS: Seven adult dogs with prehepatic portal hypertension had GUs created by rubber band ligation. Animals received oral proton pump inhibitors daily and underwent weekly endoscopies to quantitate clip retention and ulcer healing.

INTERVENTIONS: One week after banding, 10 chronic ulcers were randomized in pairs to control (no endoscopic treatment), MPEC, or different hemoclips (QuickClip2 [QC], TriClip [TC], or Resolution Clip [RC]).

MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS: Times and success of hemoclip deployment, clip retention rates, and ulcer healing rates on weekly endoscopies.

RESULTS: Success rates of clip deployment were 100% for the RC, 93.1% for the TC, and 83.3% for the QC. Clip retention rates were significantly higher with the RC than the QC or TC at 1 to 3 weeks. Retained clips did not delay GU healing compared with MPEC or control.

CONCLUSIONS: Hemoclipping time was similar with all 3 clips; the RC was retained significantly longer than the QC or TC, hemoclips did not delay ulcer healing compared with control or MPEC, and all 3 hemoclips were safe and no complications such as bleeding and weight loss were noted.