Laparoscopic partial gastric transection and devascularization in order to enhance its flow

Prospective Evaluation of a Universally Applied Laparoscopic Gastric Ischemic Preconditioning Protocol Prior to Esophagectomy with Comparison with Historical Controls

BACKGROUND

Anastomotic leak after esophagectomy is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Our institution began performing laparoscopic gastric ischemic preconditioning (LGIP) with ligation of the left gastric and short gastric vessels prior to esophagectomy in all patients presenting with resectable esophageal cancer. We hypothesized that LGIP may decrease the incidence and severity of anastomotic leak.

METHODS

Patients were prospectively evaluated following the universal application of LGIP prior to esophagectomy protocol in January 2021 until August 2022. Outcomes were compared with patients who underwent esophagectomy without LGIP from a prospectively maintained database from 2010 to 2020.

RESULTS

We compared 42 patients who underwent LGIP followed by esophagectomy with 222 who underwent esophagectomy without LGIP. Age, sex, comorbidities, and clinical stage were similar between groups. Outpatient LGIP was generally well tolerated, with one patient experiencing prolonged gastroparesis. Median time from LGIP to esophagectomy was 31 days. Mean operative time and blood loss were not significantly different between groups. Patients who underwent LGIP were significantly less likely to develop an anastomotic leak following esophagectomy (7.1% vs. 20.7%, p = 0.038). This finding persisted on multivariate analysis [odds ratio (OR) 0.17, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.03-0.42, p = 0.029]. The occurrence of any post-esophagectomy complication was similar between groups (40.5% vs. 46.0%, p = 0.514), but patients who underwent LGIP had shorter length of stay [10 (9-11) vs. 12 (9-15), p = 0.020].

CONCLUSIONS

LGIP prior to esophagectomy is associated with a decreased risk of anastomotic leak and length of hospital stay. Further, multi-institutional studies are warranted to confirm these findings.

Laparoscopic ischaemic conditioning of the gastric conduit prior to a hybrid mckeown oesophagectomy may not decrease the risk of anastomotic leak

Introduction

Morbidity associated with anastomotic leak after oesophagectomy is significant. Techniques to reduce this risk include ischaemic conditioning of the gastric conduit prior to oesophagectomy.

Aim

To quantify the rate of anastomotic leak after a hybrid minimally invasive McKeown oesophagectomy preceded by laparoscopic gastric devascularization (LGD).

Material and methods

We identified patients who had undergone neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy followed by LGD and McKeown oesophagectomy and conducted a retrospective case series. The primary outcome was anastomotic leak, and secondary outcomes included common post-operative complications within 30 days.

Results

Eleven patients were identified. Seventy-three per cent were male, and 7 of 11 patients were age 70+ years. 91% of tumours were located in the lower oesophagus or gastroesophageal junction (GEJ), and 72% of the series had clinical stage of II–III. The median ischaemic conditioning time was 15 days. Eighteen per cent of patients developed an anastomotic leak, and all were managed non-operatively. One patient developed an anastomotic stricture. Three patients developed pneumonia. Three patients suffered wound infection at the site of the neck incision. One had respiratory failure requiring ventilator support. None required reoperation or readmission. There were no mortalities following either operation.

Conclusions

Laparoscopic ischaemic conditioning via LGD prior to a hybrid McKeown oesophagectomy for malignancy was associated with a leak rate similar to previously published data for a McKeown oesophagectomy without prior LGD.

Ischaemic conditioning of the stomach previous to esophageal surgery

A gastric conduit is most frequently used for reconstruction in oesophageal surgery, and ischemia of the conduit is the most fragile aspect of the esophagogastric anastomosis with as consequence the anastomotic leakage. In order to avoid it, the concept of ischaemic conditioning of the stomach previous to surgery has been designed. The basis of ischemic conditioning is that interrupting vascularization of the stomach before making the anastomosis eases the gastric fundus adaptation to ischemic conditions. It consists of the interruption of the principal feeding arteries of the stomach (except the right gastroepiploic artery) weeks before esophagectomy. Previously published literature contemplates two different techniques: angiographic embolization or laparoscopic ligation or division of vessels. In this study, the anatomic and physio-pathologic background of ischemic preconditioning is described and the published current evidence is reviewed.

Ischemic Conditioning of the Stomach in the Prevention of Esophagogastric Anastomotic Leakage After Esophagectomy

Esophagectomy with esophagogastric anastomosis is a major procedure, and its most feared complication is anastomotic leakage. Ischemic conditioning of the stomach is a method used with the aim of reducing the risk of leakage. It consists of partial gastric devascularization through embolization or laparoscopy followed by esophagectomy and anastomosis at a second stage, thus providing the time for the gastric conduit to adapt to the acute ischemia at the time of its formation. This review analyzes the information from all currently available experimental and clinical studies with the purpose of assessing the current role of the technique and to provide future recommendations.

Randomized controlled trial of laparoscopic gastric ischemic conditioning prior to minimally invasive esophagectomy, the LOGIC trial

INTRODUCTION

Minimally invasive esophagectomy (MIE) is a viable alternative to open resection for the management of esophagogastric cancer. However, the technique may relate to a higher incidence of ischemia-related gastric conduit complications. Laparoscopic ischemic conditioning (LIC) by ligating the left gastric vessels 2 weeks before MIE may have a protective role, possibly through an improvement of conduit perfusion. This project was designed to evaluate whether LIC influenced ultimate conduit perfusion.

METHODS

A randomized controlled trial was designed to compare MIE with LIC (L) against MIE without (N). The project began in May 2009 and was offered to consecutive patients with the objective of recruiting 22 in each arm. Sample size calculations were based on data from previous clinical series. The main outcome measure was perfusion recorded by validated laser Doppler fluximetry, at the fundus (F) and greater curve (G); performed at routine staging laparoscopy and every stage of an MIE. A perfusion coefficient measured as ratio at stage of MIE over baseline was used for statistical analysis.

RESULTS

Sixteen patients were recruited before an interim analysis of the trial data. At staging laparoscopy perfusion at F was higher than at G (p = 0.016). In the L cohort, an apparent rise in perfusion at G is observed post intervention (p = 0.176). At MIE, baseline perfusion is comparable for both arms; however, a significant drop is observed at both locations once the stomach is mobilized and exteriorized (p = 0.001). Once delivered at the neck, perfusion coefficient is approximately 38% of baseline levels. However, there was no discernible difference between the L (38.3 ± 12) and N (37.7 ± 16.8) cohorts (p = 0.798).

CONCLUSIONS

LIC does not translate into an improved perfusion of the gastric conduit tip. The benefits reported from published clinical series suggest that the resistance of the conduit to ischemia occurs through alternative possibly microcellular mechanisms.

Vascular conditioning of the stomach before esophageal reconstruction by gastric interposition

Gastric interposition with intrathoracic or cervical esophagogastrostomy is currently the preferred operation for reconstruction after esophagectomy. Anastomotic leaks however result from poor vascular supply to the proximal stomach. They are responsible for significant morbidity and mortality. 'Ischemic conditioning' of the interposed stomach has been proposed as a technique where the 'delay phenomenon' aims at improving the microcirculation of the gastric conduit and preventing anastomotic leakage. Experimental observations and clinical studies have been conducted to document the immediate effects and results of this approach. The aim of this work is to review the principles, pathophysiology, experimental, and clinical evidence related to vascular conditioning of the stomach prior to esophagectomy with gastric interposition and esophagogastric anastomosis. MEDLINE and PubMed were searched to identify articles related to vascular conditioning of the stomach. Cross references were added and reviewed to complete the reference list. The anatomic basis of ischemic conditioning, the prevalence of ischemic events on the gastric conduit, the methodology to assess the microcirculation before and after gastric devascularization, animal experiments, and clinical studies reported on this approach were reviewed. Ten experimental works, eleven clinical observations, four reviews, and two editorial commentaries addressing ischemic conditioning of the stomach were identified and reviewed. Experimental observations document improved microcirculation to the proximal stomach following partial gastric devascularization. Clinical reports show the feasibility and relative safety of gastric ischemic conditioning. Preliminary observations suggest potential improvements to the gastric microcirculation resulting from gastric ischemic conditioning. This approach may help prevent complications at the esophagogastric anastomosis. The actual level of evidence however cannot promote its use outside of clinical research protocols.