Endoscopic dilation for treatment of anastomotic leaks following transhiatal esophagectomy

Thoracoscopic esophagectomy is related to better outcomes in early adenocarcinoma of esophagogastric junction tumors

BACKGROUND

Thoracoscopic esophagectomy is related to an extended lymphadenectomy, and a high number of retrieved lymph nodes, compared to the transhiatal approach; however, its association with an improvement in overall survival (OS) is debatable.

AIM

To compare thoracoscopic esophagectomy with transhiatal esophagectomy in patients with adenocarcinoma of the esophagogastric junction (AEGJ) in terms of survival, number of lymph nodes, and complications.

METHODS

In total, 147 patients with AEGJ were selected retrospectively from 2002 to 2019, and divided into Group A for thoracoscopic esophagectomy, and group B for transhiatal esophagectomy. OS, disease-free survival, postoperative complications, and number of nodes, were similarly evaluated.

RESULTS

One hundred and thirty (88%) were male; the mean age was 64 years. Group A had a mean age of 61.1 years and group B 65.7 years (P = 0.009). Concerning the extent of lymphadenectomy, group A showed a higher number of retrieved lymph nodes (mean of 31.89 ± 8.2 vs 20.73 ± 7; P < 0.001), with more perioperative complications, such as hoarseness, surgical site infections, and respiratory complications. Although both groups had similar OS rates, subgroup analysis showed better survival of transthoracic esophagectomy in patients with earlier diseases.

CONCLUSION

Both methods are safe, having similar morbidity and mortality rates. Transthoracic thoracoscopic esophagectomy allows a more extensive resection of the lymph nodes and may have better oncological outcomes during earlier stages of the disease. Prospective studies are warranted to better evaluate these findings.

Management of intrathoracic and cervical anastomotic leakage after esophagectomy for esophageal cancer: a systematic review

Background

Anastomotic leakage (0-30%) after esophagectomy is a severe complication and is associated with considerable morbidity and mortality. The aim of this study was to determine which treatment for anastomotic leakage after esophagectomy have the best clinical outcome, based on the currently available literature.

Methods

A systematic literature search was performed in Medline, Embase, and Web of Science until April 2017. All studies reporting on the specific treatment of cervical or intrathoracic anastomotic leakage following esophagectomy with gastric tube reconstruction for esophageal or cardia cancer were included. The primary outcome parameter was postoperative mortality. Methodological quality was assessed by the Newcastle-Ottawa Quality Assessment Scale.

Results

Nineteen retrospective cohort studies including 273 patients were identified. Methodological quality of all studies was poor to moderate. Mortality rates of intrathoracic anastomotic leakages in the treatment groups were as follows: conservative (14%), endoscopic stent (8%), endoscopic drainage (8%), endoscopic vacuum-assisted closure system (0%), and surgery treatment group (50%). Mortality rates of cervical anastomotic leakages in the treatment groups were as follows: conservative (8%), endoscopic stent (29%), and endoscopic dilatation (0%).

Discussion

Due to small cohorts, heterogeneity between studies, and lack of data regarding leakage characteristics, no evidence supporting a specific treatment for anastomotic leakage after esophagectomy was found. A severity score based on leakage characteristics instead of treatment given is essential for determining the optimal treatment of anastomotic leakage. In the absence of robust evidence-based treatment guidelines, we suggest customized treatment depending on sequelae of the leak and clinical condition of the patient. PrDepartment of Surgery, Radboudumc, P.O.B. 9101/618 NLactical advices are provided.

Trial registration

Registration number PROSPERO: CRD42016032374.

Self-expandable metallic stents in the treatment of post-esophagogastrostomy/post-esophagoenterostomy fistula

Esophageus or gaster resection in patients with malignant disease is still a treatment of choice. It is obvious that each surgical procedure in these patients carries some possibility of complications. Esophageo-gastric or esophageo-jejuno anastomosis has a 4-27% frequency of fistula occurrence. All these result in 65% mortality in cases of poorer prognosis. The aim of this paper is not to present all types of complications but to objectively analyse the usefulness of the covered stent placement in the treatment of anastomotic fistulas. We present six patients who were treated for postoperative fistula of esophageo-gastric anastomosis (1 case) or esophageo-jejuno anastomosis (5 cases). All patients were treated with stapler suture for digestive tract reconstruction after malignancy removal during the primary surgical procedure. Signs and symptoms of suture leak between 5-8 days post-surgery were observed. Conservative therapy was not effective. Thus a new method of treatment was employed - covered stent placement. The procedure was performed under X-ray control. In all treated patients there was change for the better and quick reduction of secretion from the fistulas was observed. All patients were discharged from the department after several days and all had survived at 30 days follow-up. Covered esophageal stent placement seems to be a safe and promising method of treatment for patients with anastomotic fistula which significantly reduces mortality and improves quality of live. Our experiences confirms that of other investigators.

Anastomotic stricture complicating esophagectomy

Regardless of the definition, anastomotic strictures are a common complication after esophagectomy and adversely affect quality of life. They are best avoided by careful surgical technique that minimizes conduit ischemia during preparation, placement, and anastomosis. Anastomotic technique must assure an adequate anastomotic area. The Collard anastomosis, a significant advance in the construction of esophagogastric anastomoses, routinely assures adequate anastomotic area and thus assures fewer anastomotic strictures. The use of small-diameter (21-mm and 25-mm) circular staplers is discouraged, because they are unquestionably associated with the occurrence of major anastomotic strictures. Anastomotic leaks precede many anastomotic strictures, but strictures are not inevitable after leaks. Other variables are less reliably associated with anastomotic strictures. Treatment requires diagnosis and exclusion of recurrent cancer and other causes of stricture. Dilation is safe, but diligence with repeated sessions is necessary to restore swallowing. Reoperation is rarely required.

Transhiatal esophageal resection for corrosive injury

OBJECTIVES

To analyze the feasibility and safety of transhiatal approach for resection of corrosively scarred esophagus. BACKGROUND SUMMARY DATA: The unrelenting corrosive strictures of esophagus merit esophageal substitution. Because of the risk of complications in the retained esophagus, such as malignancy, mucocele, gastroesophageal reflux, and bleeding, esophageal resection is deemed necessary. Transthoracic approach for esophageal resection is considered safe. The safety and feasibility of transhiatal resection of the esophagus is not established in corrosive injury of the esophagus.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Transhiatal approach was used for resection of the scarred esophagus for all patients between January 1986 and December 2001. The intraoperative complications, indications for adding thoracotomy, and postoperative outcome were studied in 51 patients. Follow-up period varied from minimum of 6 months to 15 years.

RESULTS

Esophageal resection was achieved in 49 of 51 patients whereas thoracotomy was added in 2 patients. In 1 of the patients tracheal injury occurred whereas in other patient there were dense adhesions between tracheal membrane and esophagus. Gastric tube was used for esophageal substitution in 40 (78.4%) patients whereas colon was transplanted in 11 (21.6%) patients. Colon was used only when stomach was not available. One patient (1.9%) had tracheal membrane injury whereas 4 patients (7.8%) had recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy. One patient each had thoracic duct injury and intrathoracic gastric tube leak. There was no operative mortality. Anastomotic complications like leak were present in 19.6% and stricture in 58.8% patients. All the patients were able to resume their normal duties and swallow normal food within 6 months of the surgery.

CONCLUSION

One-stage transhiatal esophageal resection and reconstruction could be safely used for the extirpation of scarred esophagus. Use of gastric conduit was technically simple, quicker, and offered good functional outcome. Postoperative anastomotic stricture amenable to dilatations was the commonest complication.

Minimizing cervical esophageal anastomotic complications by a modified technique

BACKGROUND

The anastomotic leak and stricture formation after esophagectomy and cervical esophagogastric anastomosis deny patients with esophageal carcinoma the benefits of surgery. The present study was designed to ascertain whether a wide cross-sectional area at the site of anastomosis leads to lesser anastomotic complications.

METHODS

One hundred patients with resectable carcinoma of the esophagus were randomly distributed into two groups of 50 each. All patients underwent one-stage transhiatal esophagectomy. In group A, 3 x 2 cm gastric crescent was excised from the anterior wall of the gastric tube before constructing the cervical esophagogastric anastomosis. No such intervention was done in group B, which acted as control. All patients were followed up for at least 3 months for detection of anastomotic complications.

RESULTS

The incidence of anastomotic leak in the study group was significantly less in comparison with the control group (4.3% versus 20.8%; P = 0.03). Similarly, anastomotic stricture formation was significantly lower in the study group (8.5% versus 29.2%; P = 0.02).

CONCLUSIONS

A wide cross-sectional area achieved at the anastomotic site by removal of gastric crescent resulted in significantly lower anastomotic complications.