Predictors of major morbidity and mortality after esophagectomy for esophageal cancer: a Society of Thoracic Surgeons General Thoracic Surgery Database risk adjustment model. J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg. 2009;137:587-595; discussion 596. [PMID: 19258071 DOI: 10.1016/j.jtcvs.2008.11.042]

STS database risk models: predictors of mortality and major morbidity for lung cancer resection

BACKGROUND

The aim of this study is to create models for perioperative risk of lung cancer resection using the STS GTDB (Society of Thoracic Surgeons General Thoracic Database).

METHODS

The STS GTDB was queried for all patients treated with resection for primary lung cancer between January 1, 2002 and June 30, 2008. Three separate multivariable risk models were constructed (mortality, major morbidity, and composite mortality or major morbidity).

RESULTS

There were 18,800 lung cancer resections performed at 111 participating centers. Perioperative mortality was 413 of 18,800 (2.2%). Composite major morbidity or mortality occurred in 1,612 patients (8.6%). Predictors of mortality include the following: pneumonectomy (p < 0.001), bilobectomy (p < 0.001), American Society of Anesthesiology rating (p < 0.018), Zubrod performance status (p < 0.001), renal dysfunction (p = 0.001), induction chemoradiation therapy (p = 0.01), steroids (p = 0.002), age (p < 0.001), urgent procedures (p = 0.015), male gender (p = 0.013), forced expiratory volume in one second (p < 0.001), and body mass index (p = 0.015).

CONCLUSIONS

Thoracic surgeons participating in the STS GTDB perform lung cancer resections with a low mortality and morbidity. The risk-adjustment models created have excellent performance characteristics and identify important predictors of mortality and major morbidity for lung cancer resections. These models may be used to inform clinical decisions and to compare risk-adjusted outcomes for quality improvement purposes.

Systematic review: the role of self-expanding plastic stents for benign oesophageal strictures

BACKGROUND

Treatment of refractory or recurrent benign oesophageal strictures is demanding and surgery may be the only available option. The role of self-expanding plastic stents (SEPS) in the treatment of these strictures is still controversial because of the conflicting results of various studies.

AIM

To analyse with regard to SEPS: technical and clinical success, factors associated with outcome, and safety.

METHODS

Pooled-data analysis of a systematic review of the literature. Clinical success was defined as no need for further endoscopic or surgical treatment after SEPS removal.

RESULTS

Data of 10 studies with 130 treated patients were included. SEPS insertion was technically successful in 128 of 130 patients (98%, 95% CI = 96-100%). Clinical success was achieved in 68 patients (52%, 95% CI = 44-61%) and this was found to be lower in those with a cervical localization of the stricture (33% vs. 54%; P < 0.05). Early (<4 weeks) migration of the stent was reported in 19 (24%, 95% CI = 14-32%) cases, while post-insertion endoscopic re-intervention was required in 25 (21%, 95% CI = 14-28%). Major clinical complications occurred in 12 patients (9%, 95% CI = 4-14%), resulting in death of one (0.8%) patient.

CONCLUSIONS

Our pooled-data analysis showed a favourable risk/benefit ratio when SEPS are applied in patients with recurrent or refractory benign oesophageal strictures. This supports the use of SEPS before referring patients to surgery, and they are a valuable alternative to repeat endoscopic dilation.

Esophagectomy after anti-reflux surgery

OBJECTIVE

There are few data on whether prior fundoplication has an impact on subsequent esophageal resection and reconstruction. The aim of this study is to review our experience with patients undergoing esophagectomy after previous fundoplication.

METHODS

Medical records were reviewed of all patients undergoing esophageal resection from 1988 to 2008 at the Mayo Clinic. Patients with a fundoplication before esophagectomy were compared with a matched control group who had esophagectomy alone.

RESULTS

There were 2313 esophageal resections, and 80 patients had undergone at least 1 previous anti-reflux surgery. Indications for esophagectomy were benign stricture/perforation in 41 patients, cancer in 28 patients, and dysplasia in 11 patients. The surgical approach was Ivor Lewis in 38 patients, left thoracoabdominal in 29 patients, transhiatal in 10 patients, and McKeown in 3 patients. The conduit used was stomach in 70 patients, jejunum in 6 patients, and colon in 3 patients; 1 patient had a diversion and cervical esophagostomy only. Operative mortality occurred in 3 patients (3.7%). Postoperative complications occurred in 50 patients (62.5%), including anastomotic leak in 17 (21.5%). Sixteen patients (20%) required reoperation for complications. Complication, anastomotic leak, and reoperation rates were significantly higher in patients with anti-reflux surgery before esophagectomy compared with matched controls.

CONCLUSION

Esophagectomy after prior anti-reflux surgery is challenging, but the stomach is usually a suitable conduit for esophageal replacement. Patients with a history of anti-reflux surgery who undergo esophagectomy are at significantly increased risk for postoperative complications, anastomotic leak, and need for reoperation.

Effect of preoperative single-dose corticosteroid administration on postoperative morbidity following esophagectomy

BACKGROUND

Eight clinical trials involving the administration of preoperative i.v. methylprednisolone have been undertaken in order to decrease the considerable inflammatory response to esophageal resection, in an effort to decrease the supposedly associated morbidity and mortality

METHOD

A meta-analysis was performed for eight clinical end-points. Due to quality problems in seven of the eight included studies, a Bayesian meta-analysis using a skeptical prior derived from the results of the classical analysis was also performed.

RESULTS

The end-points including any organ dysfunction (OR = 0.30), respiratory complication (OR = 0.41), sepsis (OR = 0.37), liver dysfunction (OR = 18), cardiovascular dysfunction (OR = 0.28), and surgical anastomotic leak (OR = 0.42) were significantly decreased by methylprednisolone pretreatment. Following the Bayesian analysis, despite the use of skeptical priors, there is a 95% probability to obtain a relative risk reduction of at least 23% to 54%, depending of the end-point, by methylprednisolone pretreatment.

CONCLUSION

We are in the presence of a potential benefit that cannot be accepted at face value due to the quality problems of the included studies. But in the presence of a remaining potential benefit after a Bayesian analysis starting from a skeptical prior, the best option would be the planning of a large multicenter prospective randomized study.

Postoperative mortality in cancer patients with preexisting diabetes: systematic review and meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE

Diabetes appears to increase risk for some cancers, but the association between preexisting diabetes and postoperative mortality in cancer patients is less clear. Our objective was to systematically review postoperative mortality in cancer patients with and without preexisting diabetes and summarize results using meta-analysis. RSEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: We searched the Medical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System Online (MEDLINE) and Excerpta Medica Database (EMBASE) for articles published on or before 1 July 2009, including references of qualifying articles. We included English language investigations of short-term postoperative mortality after initial cancer treatment. Titles, abstracts, and articles were reviewed by at least two independent readers. Study population and design, results, and quality components were abstracted with standard protocols by one reviewer and checked for accuracy by additional reviewers.

RESULTS

Of 8,828 titles identified in our original search, 20 articles met inclusion criteria for qualitative systematic review. Of these, 15 reported sufficient information to be combined in meta-analysis. Preexisting diabetes was associated with increased odds of postoperative mortality across all cancer types (OR = 1.85 [95% CI 1.40-2.45]). The risk associated with preexisting diabetes was attenuated but remained significant when we restricted the meta-analysis to models that controlled for confounders (1.51 [1.13-2.02]) or when we accounted for publication bias using the trim and fill method (1.52 [1.13-2.04]).

CONCLUSIONS

Compared with their nondiabetic counterparts, cancer patients with preexisting diabetes are approximately 50% more likely to die after surgery. Future research should investigate physiologic pathways to mortality risk and determine whether improvements in perioperative diabetes care can reduce postoperative mortality.

Respiratory complications after oesophageal surgery

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

The most frequent complications of oesophageal surgery are respiratory and these are associated with increased critical care stay, hospital stay and mortality. This review focuses on the risk factors associated with the development of respiratory complications after oesophageal surgery.

RECENT FINDINGS

An acceptable operative mortality, increased and improved quality of life can be gained in appropriately selected patients. When induction therapy is scheduled, smoking cessation is advised. The preoperative treatment of airway pathogens can reduce postoperative complications and this may be particularly relevant in patients who have received induction chemoradiotherapy. Nonrandomized studies suggest that thoracic epidural analgesia improves outcome. Minimally invasive surgery is increasingly used and appears safe but direct comparisons to open surgery in terms of respiratory complications are awaited. Few randomized studies are available to guide anaesthetic management but anaesthetists should aim to avoid hypoxaemia, hypotension, aspiration and limit blood and fluid administration. Postoperative aspiration is common and steps to reduce it are recommended.

SUMMARY

The multifactorial nature of respiratory complications after oesophageal surgery may mean that a number of interventions are needed to have a detectable influence on outcome, much like a care bundle strategy.

Does diabetes mellitus influence pathologic complete response and tumor downstaging after neoadjuvant chemoradiation for esophageal and gastroesophageal cancer? A two-institution report

BACKGROUND

Esophageal carcinoma is an aggressive disease that is often treated with neoadjuvant therapy followed by surgical resection. Diabetes mellitus (DM) has been associated with reduced efficacy of chemoradiation (CRT) in other gastrointestinal cancers. The goal of this study was to determine if DM affects response to neoadjuvant CRT in the management of gastroesophageal carcinoma.

METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed the esophageal cancer patient databases and subsequently analyzed those patients who received neoadjuvant CRT followed by surgical resection at two institutions, Thomas Jefferson University (TJUH) and Fox Chase Cancer Center (FCCC). Comparative analyses of rates of pathologic complete response rate (pCR) and pathologic downstaging in DM patients versus non-DM patients was performed.

RESULTS

Two hundred sixty patients were included in the study; 36 patients had DM and 224 were non-diabetics. The average age of the patients was 61 years (range 24-84 years). The overall pCR was 26%. The pCR rate was 19% and 27% for patients with DM and without DM, respectively (P = 0.31). Pathologic downstaging occurred in 39% of study patients, including of 33% of DM patients and 40% of non-DM patients (P = 0.42).

CONCLUSIONS

Although the current analysis does not demonstrate a significant reduction in pCR rates or pathologic downstaging in patients with DM, the observed trend suggests that a potential difference may be observed with a larger patient population. Further studies are warranted to evaluate the influence of DM on the effectiveness of neoadjuvant CRT in esophageal cancer.