Isolation techniques for gastrointestinal tract defects: Two case reports

BACKGROUND Gastrointestinal (GI) tract injuries and defects form a heterogeneous group of conditions often presenting with fistula formation. Management depends on factors such as defect number, anatomical location, and patient status, requiring a therapy that addresses multiple etiopathogenic factors. CASE SUMMARY We present two cases of patients who underwent total gastrectomy for gastric malignancy. A combined therapeutic approach was employed, based on isolating the injury site with local vacuum-assisted closure (VAC) therapy and simultaneous enteral nutrition. This method facilitated successful healing and enabled the identification of previously undetected defects not recognized by conventional diagnostics. CONCLUSION The combination of injury site isolation, local VAC therapy, and enteral feeding proved to be safe, effective, and easily adaptable to standard surgical practice. This approach may expand surgical options in the treatment of GI tract injuries and defects.