Impact of Preoperative Risk Factors on Morbidity after Esophagectomy: Is There Room for Improvement?

A retrospective study of preoperative malnutrition based on the Controlling Nutritional Status score as an associated marker for short-term outcomes after open and minimally invasive esophagectomy for esophageal cancer

PURPOSE

Preoperative malnutrition is a significant risk factor for post-esophagectomy morbidity. The Controlling Nutritional Status (CONUT) is an index used to assess nutritional status, and it has been suggested to predict post-esophagectomy morbidity. However, the difference in the predictive value of CONUT in estimating morbidities between open esophagectomy (OE) and minimally invasive esophagectomy (MIE) has not yet been elucidated.

METHODS

This study included patients who underwent a three-incision esophagectomy for esophageal cancer between April 2005 and August 2021. The patients were further divided into two groups according to their preoperative CONUT scores: normal and light malnutrition and moderate and severe malnutrition. Short-term outcomes between these groups were retrospectively compared in the OE and MIE groups.

RESULTS

A total of 674 patients who underwent OE (296) and MIE (378) were analyzed. Moreover, 32 patients of the OE group and 16 of the MIE group were classified as having moderate and severe malnutrition, respectively. Moderate and severe malnutrition was significantly associated with a low body mass index, poor performance status, poor American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status, advanced cancer stage, and frequent preoperative treatment. These patients also experienced significantly more frequent morbidities of grade ≥ IIIb according to the Clavien-Dindo classification (CDc), respiratory, and cardiovascular morbidities after OE. Moreover, moderate and severe malnutrition in CONUT was an independent risk factor for morbidity of CDc ≥ IIIb (odds ratio [OR] vs. normal and light malnutrition = 3.38; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.225-9.332; p = 0.019), respiratory (OR = 3.00; 95% CI, 1.161-7.736; p = 0.023), and cardiovascular morbidities (OR = 3.66; 95% CI, 1.068-12.55; p = 0.039) after OE. Meanwhile, moderate and severe malnutrition in CONUT did not increase the incidence of postoperative morbidities after MIE.

CONCLUSION

Preoperative malnutrition in CONUT reflects various disadvantageous clinical factors and could be a predictor of worse short-term outcomes after OE, but it has no value in MIE. The low invasiveness of MIE might reduce the effect of preoperative malnutrition on worse short-term outcomes.

Clinical usefulness of sputum culture on the first postoperative day to predict early postoperative pneumonia after esophagectomy for esophageal cancer

BACKGROUND

Postoperative pneumonia is a serious prognostic problem that can appear after esophagectomy in patients with esophageal cancer. The past reports have considered the usefulness of perioperative culture examinations for predicting postoperative pneumonia; however, the direct relationship between these examinations and postoperative complications remains unclear.

METHODS

This study retrospectively analyzed esophageal cancer patients who underwent esophagectomy followed by sputum culture on the first postoperative day. The bacterial species that frequently cause hospital-acquired pneumonia were chosen as the target species in this study. The relationship between culture examination and postoperative pneumonia within one week (7 days) after esophagectomy was investigated.

RESULTS

Sputum cultures on the first postoperative day were investigated in 238 patients who underwent esophagectomy for esophageal cancer. Forty-one patients developed pneumonia within one week after surgery. The target bacterial species were detected in 26 of 238 sputum cultures (10.9%). In the univariate analysis, a Brinkman index, detection of target bacterial species, detection of Gram-positive cocci, and Gram-negative rods were significantly associated with postoperative pneumonia. In the three independent multivariate analyses, the target bacterial species, Gram-positive cocci, and Gram-negative rods (p = 0.001, 0.042, and < 0.001) were individually identified as independent risk factors of postoperative pneumonia in addition to a Brinkman index.

CONCLUSIONS

Detection of target bacterial species by sputum culture on the first postoperative day after esophagectomy was an independent risk factor of postoperative pneumonia within 7 days after surgery. Prospective studies for the prevention of early postoperative pneumonia using sputum culture on the first postoperative day can be considered.

Preoperative risk factors for major postoperative complications after complex gastrointestinal cancer surgery: A systematic review

Patients undergoing complex gastrointestinal surgery are at high risk of major postoperative complications (e.g., anastomotic leakage, sepsis), classified as Clavien-Dindo (CD) ≥ IIIa. Identification of preoperative risk factors can lead to the identification of high-risk patients. These risk factors can also be used to design personalized perioperative care. This systematic review focuses on the identification of these factors. The Medline and Embase databases were searched for prospective, retrospective cohort studies and randomized controlled trials investigating the effect of risk factors on the occurrence of major postoperative complications and/or mortality after complex gastrointestinal cancer surgery. Risk of bias was assessed using the Quality in Prognostic Studies tool. The level of evidence was graded based on the number of studies reporting a significant association between risk factors and major complications. A total of 207 eligible studies were retrieved, identifying 33 risk factors for major postoperative complications and 13 preoperative laboratory results associated with postoperative complications. The present systematic review provides a comprehensive overview of preoperative risk factors associated with major postoperative complications. A wide range of risk factors are amenable to actions in perioperative care and prehabilitation programs, which may lead to improved outcomes for high-risk patients. Additionally, the knowledge of this study is important for benchmarking surgical outcomes.

Impact of Smoking Status on Perioperative Morbidity, Mortality, and Long-Term Survival Following Transthoracic Esophagectomy for Esophageal Cancer

Introduction

Esophagectomy is a key component in the curative treatment of esophageal cancer. Little is understood about the impact of smoking status on perioperative morbidity and mortality and the long-term outcome of patients following esophagectomy.

Objective

This study aimed to evaluate morbidity and mortality according to smoking status in patients undergoing esophagectomy for esophageal cancer.

Methods

Consecutive patients undergoing two-stage transthoracic esophagectomy (TTE) for esophageal cancers (adenocarcinoma or squamous cell carcinoma) between January 1997 and December 2016 at the Northern Oesophagogastric Unit were included from a prospectively maintained database. The main explanatory variable was smoking status, defined as current smoker, ex-smoker, and non-smoker. The primary outcome was overall survival (OS), while secondary outcomes included perioperative complications (overall, anastomotic leaks, and pulmonary complications) and survival (cancer-specific survival [CSS], recurrence-free survival [RFS]).

Results

During the study period, 1168 patients underwent esophagectomy for cancer. Of these, 24% (n = 282) were current smokers and only 30% (n = 356) had never smoked. The median OS of current smokers was significantly shorter than ex-smokers and non-smokers (median 36 vs. 42 vs. 48 months; p = 0.015). However, on adjusted analysis, there was no significant difference in long-term OS between smoking status in the entire cohort. The overall complication rates were significantly higher with current smokers compared with ex-smokers or non-smokers (73% vs. 66% vs. 62%; p = 0.018), and there were no significant differences in anastomotic leaks and pulmonary complications between the groups. On subgroup analysis by receipt of neoadjuvant therapy and tumor histology, smoking status did not impact long-term survival in adjusted multivariable analyses.

Conclusion

Although smoking is associated with higher rates of short-term perioperative morbidity, it does not affect long-term OS, CSS, and RFS following esophagectomy for esophageal cancer. Therefore, implementation of perioperative pathways to optimize patients may help reduce the risk of complications.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1245/s10434-021-09720-6.

Pulmonary Complications in Esophagectomy Based on Intraoperative Fluid Rate: A Single-Center Study

OBJECTIVES

Esophagectomy is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. The authors assessed the relationship between intraoperative fluid (IOF) administration and postoperative pulmonary outcomes in patients undergoing a transthoracic, transhiatal, or tri-incisional esophagectomy.

DESIGN

Retrospective cohort study (level 3 evidence).

SETTING

Tertiary care referral center.

PARTICIPANTS

Patients who underwent esophagectomy from 2007 to 2017.

INTERVENTIONS

The IOF rate (mL/kg/h) was the predictor variable analyzed both as a continuous and binary categorical variable based on median IOF rate for this cohort (11.90 mL/kg/h).

MEASUREMENTS

Primary outcomes included rates of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) within ten days after esophagectomy. Secondary outcomes included rates of reintubation, pneumonia, cardiac or renal morbidity, intensive care unit admission, length of stay, procedure-related complications, and mortality. Multivariate regression analysis determined associations between IOF rate and postoperative outcomes. Analysis was adjusted for age, sex, body mass index, procedure type, year, and thoracic epidural use.

MAIN RESULTS

A total of 1,040 patients comprised this cohort. Tri-incisional esophagectomy was associated with a higher hospital mortality rate (7.8%) compared with transthoracic esophagectomy (2.6%, p = 0.03) or transhiatal esophagectomy (0.7%, p = 0.01). Regression analysis revealed a higher IOF rate was associated with greater ARDS within ten days (adjusted odds ratio [OR] = 1.03, p = 0.01). For secondary outcomes, a higher IOF rate was associated with greater hospital mortality (adjusted OR = 1.05, p = 0.002), although no significant association with 30-day hospital mortality was identified.

CONCLUSIONS

Increased IOF administration during esophagectomy may be associated with worse postoperative pulmonary complications, specifically ARDS. Future well-powered studies are warranted, including randomized, controlled trials comparing liberal versus restrictive fluid administration in this surgical population.

Risk Factors for Postoperative Anastomosis Leak After Esophagectomy for Esophageal Cancer

BACKGROUND/AIM

The present study aimed to identify risk factors for anastomosis leak (AL) after esophagectomy for esophageal cancer.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

One-hundred twenty-two patients who underwent esophagectomy for esophageal cancer between 2008 and 2018 were included. The rate of AL was measured based on the definition of leak as adapted from the Surgical Infection Study Group. To identify the risk factors for AL, logistic regression analysis was used.

RESULTS

AL was found in 44 of the 122 patients (36.1%). Among the factors examined, the lymph node dissection status (p=0.007) and preoperative serum albumin level (p=0.022) were significant independent risk factors for AL. The incidence of AL was 26.7% (20 of 75) among patients who received 2-field lymph node dissection and 51.1% (24 of 47) among those who received 3-field lymph node dissection. The incidence of AL was 29.9% (23 of 77) in the preoperative serum albumin levels ≥4.0 g/dl group and 46.7% (21 of 45) in the serum albumin levels <4.0 g/dl group.

CONCLUSION

Lymph node dissection status and preoperative serum albumin levels were risk factors for AL in patients who received esophagectomy for esophageal cancer.

Nutritional assessment and risk factors associated to malnutrition in patients with esophageal cancer

INTRODUCTION

Esophageal cancer is the fourth most common cause of cancer death in China. Patients with esophageal cancer are more likely to suffer from malnutrition. The purpose of this study is to assess nutritional status of patients with esophageal cancer from multiple perspectives and analyze the risk factors.

METHODS

A total of 1482 esophageal cancer patients were enrolled in the study. We investigated the Scored Patient Generated Subjective Global Assessment (PG-SGA) scores, NRS-2002 scores, Karnofsky performance status scores, anthropometric, and laboratory indicators of patients. Unconditional logistic regression analysis was applied to identify the risk factors of nutritional status.

RESULTS

PG-SGA (≥4) and NRS-2002 (≥3) showed the incidence of malnutrition were 76% and 50%, respectively. In the patients with PG-SGA score ≥4, the proportion of patients who did not receive any nutritional support was 60%. The incidence of malnutrition in females was significantly higher than that in males. Besides, abnormality rates of Red blood cell (P < 0.001), MAC (P = 0.037), and MAMC (P < 0.001) in males was significantly higher than that in females, while abnormality rates of TSF (P < 0.001) was lower than that in females. After adjusted with the other potential risk factors listed, unconditional logistic regression analysis indicated smoking (odds ratio: 2.868, 95% confidence interval: 1.660-4.954), drinking (OR: 1.726, 95% CI: 1.099-2.712), family history (OR: 1.840, 95% CI: 1.132-2.992), radiotherapy or chemotherapy (OR: 1.594, 95% CI: 1.065-2.387), and pathological stage (OR: 2.263, 95% CI: 1.084-4.726) might be the risk factors of nutritional status, while nutritional support can reduce the risk of malnutrition.

CONCLUSION

Effective nutritional risk assessment methods and nutritional intervention measures can be adopted according to the research data to improve quality of life of esophageal cancer patients.

Skeletal muscle mass correlates with increased toxicity during neoadjuvant radiochemotherapy in locally advanced esophageal cancer: A SAKK 75/08 substudy

Background

Sarcopenia, the critical depletion of skeletal muscle mass, is an independent prognostic factor in several tumor entities for treatment-related toxicity and survival. In esophageal cancer, there have been conflicting results regarding the value of sarcopenia as prognostic factor, which may be attributed to the heterogeneous patient populations and the retrospective nature of previous studies. The aim of our study was therefore to determine the impact of sarcopenia on prospectively collected specific outcomes in a subgroup of patients treated within the phase III study SAKK 75/08 with trimodality therapy (induction chemotherapy, radiochemotherapy and surgery) for locally advanced esophageal cancer.

Methods

Sarcopenia was assessed by skeletal muscle index at the 3rd lumbar vertebra (L3) in cross-sectional computed tomography scans before induction chemotherapy, before radiochemotherapy and after neoadjuvant therapy in a subgroup of 61 patients from four centers in Switzerland. Sarcopenia was determined by previously established cut-off values (Martin et al., PMID: 23530101) and correlated with prospectively collected outcomes including treatment-related toxicity, postoperative morbidity, treatment feasibility and survival.

Results

Using the published cut-off values, the prevalence of sarcopenia increased from 29.5% before treatment to 63.9% during neoadjuvant therapy (p < 0.001). Feasibility of neoadjuvant therapy and surgery was not different in initially sarcopenic and non-sarcopenic patients. We observed in sarcopenic patients significantly increased grade ≥ 3 toxicities during chemoradiation (83.3% vs 52.4%, p = 0.04) and a non-significant trend towards increased postoperative complications (66.7% vs 42.9%, p = 0.16). No difference in survival according to sarcopenia could be observed in this small study population.

Conclusions

Trimodality therapy in locally advanced esophageal cancer is feasible in selected patients with sarcopenia. Neoadjuvant chemoradiation increased the percentage of sarcopenia. Sarcopenic patients are at higher risk for increased toxicity during neoadjuvant radiochemotherapy and showed a non-significant trend to more postoperative morbidity.

Dysregulated alveolar function and complications in smokers following oesophagectomy

Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) has a significant impact on post-operative morbidity and mortality following oesophagectomy. Smoking is a risk factor for the development of ARDS, although the mechanism is unclear. We examined the effect of smoking on alveolar and systemic inflammation, in addition to alveolar–capillary permeability, leading to ARDS in patients undergoing oesophagectomy.

We compared clinical, biomarker and PiCCO system data between current smokers (n=14) and ex-smokers (n=36) enrolled into a translational substudy of the BALTI-P (Beta Agonist Lung Injury Trial Prevention) trial.

Current smokers compared with ex-smokers had significantly higher numbers of circulating neutrophils, elevated bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) interleukin (IL)-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1ra), soluble tumour necrosis factor receptor-1 and pre-operative plasma soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1, and lower BAL vascular endothelial growth factor and post-operative plasma IL-17 (p<0.05). On post-operative day 1, current smokers had higher extravascular lung water index (9.80 versus 7.90; p=0.026) and pulmonary vascular permeability index (2.09 versus 1.70; p=0.013). Current smokers were more likely to develop ARDS (57% versus 25%; p=0.031) and had a significantly reduced post-operative median survival (421 versus 771 days; p=0.023).

Smoking prior to oesophagectomy is associated with dysregulated inflammation, with higher concentrations of inflammatory mediators and lower concentrations of protective mediators. This translates into a higher post-operative inflammatory alveolar oedema, greater risk of ARDS and poorer long-term survival.

Patients who smoke at the time of oesophagectomy have dysregulated immune function, greater post-operative alveolar oedema, higher incidence of ARDS and poorer long-term survivalhttp://ow.ly/EsEh30nbO0R

Clinical utility of exhaled carbon monoxide in assessing preoperative smoking status and risks of postoperative morbidity after esophagectomy

Whereas smoking constitutes a significant risk factor for postesophagectomy morbidity, there is no reliable method to assess the smoking status of patients prior to the procedure. Since exhaled carbon monoxide (CO) is an indicator of recent smoking, this paper hypothesizes that this is a useful parameter in assessing current smoking status and may help predict morbidity following esophagectomy. Sixty-nine patients, who had undergone elective three-incision esophagectomy with two- or three-field lymphadenectomy for esophageal cancer, were prospectively studied between February 2015 and September 2017. At surgical admission, they were asked about their smoking history, their exhaled CO levels were evaluated, and they were grouped into three based on their CO levels. These were 0 parts per million (ppm), >0 and <7 ppm, and ≥7 ppm. Their postoperative morbidity was also assessed. Approximately 13.5% of the patients showed high levels of exhaled CO ≥ 7 ppm, despite preoperatively reporting smoking cessation for over a month. Morbidities of the Clavien-Dindo classification (CDc) ≥ II increased as exhaled CO levels increased and severe morbidity of CDc ≥ IIIb frequently was observed in patients with exhaled CO levels ≥7 ppm. The logistic regression analysis showed that exhaled CO level ≥7 ppm was an independent risk factor for severe postesophagectomy morbidity. Overall, the results of this study suggest that exhaled CO levels may be useful in estimating current smoking status and that it may also help give an estimation of the risk of postesophagectomy morbidity.

Combination of preoperative pulmonary and nutritional preparation for esophagectomy

PURPOSE

To compare pulmonary and nutritional parameters before and after inspiratory muscle training (IMT) and enteral feeding support in patients with esophageal disease undergoing preoperative outpatient follow-up.

METHODS

Thirty patients with a mean age of 55.83 years, 16 men and 14 women, were included. Pulmonary assessment consisted of the measurement of MIP, MEP, and spirometry. Anthropometric measurements and laboratory tests were performed for nutritional assessment. After preoperative evaluation, inspiratory muscle training and enteral nutrition support were started. A p<0.05 was considered statistically significant.

RESULTS

After an outpatient follow-up period of 4 weeks, a significant increase in MIP (-62.20 ± 25.78 to -81.53 ± 23.09), MEP (73.4 ± 31.95 to 90.33 ± 28.39), and FVC (94.86 ± 16.77 to 98.56 ± 17.44) was observed. Regarding the anthropometric variables, a significant increase was also observed in BMI (20.18 ± 5.04 to 20.40 ± 4.69), arm circumference (23.38 ± 3.28 to 25.08 ± 4.55), arm muscle circumference (21.48 ± 3.00 to 22.07 ± 3.36), and triceps skinfold thickness (5.62 ± 2.68 to 8.33 ± 6.59).

CONCLUSION

Pulmonary and nutritional preparation can improve respiratory muscle strength, FVC and anthropometric parameters. However, further studies are needed to confirm the effectiveness of this preoperative preparation.

ARDS following oesophagectomy: a comparison of two trials

Introduction

The Beta Agonist Lung Injury Trial-Prevention (BALTI-P) translational substudy and Vitamin D to Prevent Acute Lung Injury Following Oesophagectomy (VINDALOO) trials recruited patients undergoing oesophagectomy, 4 years apart. The acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) rates were lower in the VINDALOO trial. We sought to identify changes between these two trials and identify risk factors for ARDS in oesophagectomy.

Methods

There were data available from 61 patients in the BALTI-P substudy and 68 from VINDALOO. Databases were available for both trials; additional data were collected. Multivariate logistic regression was used to analyse risk factors for ARDS and postoperative complications in the cohorts combined.

Results

Logistic regression analysis showed active smoking was associated with an increase in ARDS (OR 3.91; 95% CI 1.33 to 11.5) and dihydropyridine use (OR 5.34;95% CI 1.56 to 18.3). Hospital length of stay was longer for those who took dihydropyridines (median 29 days (IQR 17–42) vs 13 days (IQR 10–18), P=0.0007) or were diabetic (median 25 days (IQR 14–39) vs 13 (IQR 10–19), P=0.023) but not for current smokers (median in never/ex-smokers 13 (IQR 10–23) vs current smokers 15 (IQR 11–20), P=0.73).

Conclusions

Smoking cessation trials should be promoted. Dihydropyridine effects perioperatively require further clinical and mechanistic evaluation. Patients undergoing oesophagectomy are a useful model for studying perioperative ARDS.

Impact of alcohol use on 30-day complication and readmission rates after elective spinal fusion (≥2 levels) for adult spine deformity: a single institutional study of 1,010 patients

BACKGROUND

Alcohol use has been shown to affect surgical outcomes. However, it is unknown what effect alcohol use has on postoperative complications or readmission rates in spinal fusion surgery. The aim of this study is to determine the impact of preoperative alcohol use on 30-day readmission rates or the complications profile after adult elective spinal fusion for deformity correction (≥2 levels).

METHODS

The medical records of 1,010 adult patients undergoing elective spinal fusion (≥2 levels) for spinal deformities at a major academic institution from 2005 to 2015 were reviewed. We identified 317 (31.4%) patients who had a history of alcohol prior to surgery and 693 (68.6%) patients who had no history of pre-operative alcohol consumption. The demographics, comorbidities, intra- and 30-day post-operative complication and readmission rates were collected for each patient. The primary outcome investigated in this study was the rate of 30-day readmissions and postoperative complication rates.

RESULTS

Baseline characteristics were similar between both cohorts. Intraoperative variables and the immediate postoperative complications profile were mostly similar between both cohorts. Overall, there was no significant difference between the 30-day readmission rates or complications profile between the two cohorts.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study suggests there is no significant difference in 30-day readmission or complication rates among adult patients with or without preoperative alcohol use undergoing elective correction of spinal deformities.

Potential risk factors and outcomes of fistulas between the upper intestinal tract and the airway following Ivor-Lewis esophagectomy

Fistulas between the upper intestinal tract and the airway following esophagectomy are a rare and severe complication with significant mortality. Treatment and therapy are difficult and require a multidisciplinary approach. The objective of this retrospective study was to identify risk factors for these fistulas following esophagetcomy, and to assess their impact on the further clinical course and outcome. 211 patients undergoing Ivor-Lewis esophagectomy for esophageal cancer between 2005 and 2012 were included. The preoperative risk factors including the risk score according to Schröder et al. and the O-Physiological and Operative Severity Score (POSSUM) score, operative and postoperative parameters and the outcome were evaluated. 65% of all patients developed postoperative complications, including 12 patients that developed fistulas between the upper intestinal tract and the airway (airway fistulas [AF]; 5.6%). Neither patient related risk factors nor esophagus-specific risk scores correlated with occurrence of AF. Furthermore, surgical treatment and neoadjuvant treatment did not show any effect on development of AF in our patients. However, we could demonstrate that AF significantly impacted on length of hospital stay (AF 52 days vs. No-AF group 16 days, P < 0.001), incidence of major pulmonary complications (83.3% vs. 17.1%, P < 0.001), 90-day mortality (42% vs. 7.5%, P = 0.002) and overall survival (133 days vs. 636 days, P=0.029). With the current study, we could not identify any patient related risk factors, esophagus-specific risk scores or treatment related details that might be useful as predictors of AF after Ivor-Lewis esophagectomy. However, we confirmed that AF significantly impacted on outcomes. This highlights the urgent need for further studies on this rare but devastating complication after esophagectomy.

A bridging stent to surgery in patients with esophageal and gastroesophageal junction cancer has a dramatic negative impact on patient survival: A retrospective cohort study through data acquired from a prospectively maintained national database

This study aimed to assess the impact of esophageal stenting on postoperative complications and survival in patients with obstructing esophageal and gastroesophageal junction (GEJ) cancer. All patients treated without neoadjuvant therapy that had an R0-resection performed for esophageal and GEJ cancer between January 2003 and December 2010 were identified from a prospectively maintained database. Data on stenting, postoperative mortality, morbidity, recurrence-free survival, complications, and length of hospital stay were collected. Kaplan-Meier plots for survival and recurrence-free survival curves were constructed for R0 resected patients. Data were compared between the stent and no-stent group by nonparametric tests. Two hundred seventy three consecutive R0 resected patients with esophageal or GEJ cancer were identified. Of these patients, 63 had a stent as a bridge to surgery. The male/female ratio was 2.64 (198/75) with a median age in the stent group (SG) of 65.1 versus 64.3 in the no stent group (NSG). Patients were comparable with respect to gender, age, smoking, TNM-classification, oncological treatment, hospital stay, tumor location, and histology. The median survival in the SG was 11.6 months compared with 21.3 months for patients treated without a bridging stent (P < 0.001). There were no statistically significant differences in 30-day mortality between the two groups, but NSG patients exhibited a significantly better two-year survival (P = 0.017). The median recurrence-free survival was 9.1 months for the SG compared with 15.2 months for the NSG. The use of a stent as a bridging procedure to surgery in patients treated without neaoadjuvant therapy for an esophageal or GEJ cancer that later underwent R0 resection decreased the two year survival and the recurrence-free survival.

Hospital costs of complications after esophagectomy for cancer

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study was to estimate the economic burden of postoperative complications after esophagectomy for cancer, in order to optimally allocate resources for quality improvement initiatives in the future.

METHODS

A retrospective analysis of prospectively collected clinical and financial outcomes after esophageal cancer surgery in a tertiary referral center in the Netherlands was performed. Data was extracted from consecutive patients registered in the Dutch Upper GI Cancer Audit between 2011 and 2014 (n = 201). Costs were measured up to 90-days after hospital discharge and based on Time-Driven Activity-Based Costing. The additional costs were estimated using multiple linear regression models.

RESULTS

The average total cost for one patient after esophagectomy was €37,581 (±31,372). The estimated costs of an esophagectomy without complications were €23,476 (±6496). Mean costs after minor (47%) and severe complications (29%) were €31,529 (±23,359) and €59,167 (±42,615) (p < 0.001), respectively. The 5% most expensive patients were responsible for 20.3% of the total hospital costs assessed in this study. Patient characteristics associated with additional costs in multivariable analysis included, age >70 (+€2,922, p = 0.036), female gender (+€4,357, p = 0.005), COPD (+€5,415, p = 0.002), and a history of thromboembolic events (+€6,213, p = 0.028). Complications associated with a significant increase in costs in multivariable analysis included anastomotic leakage (+€4,123, p = 0.008), cardiac complications (+€5,711, p = 0.003), chyle leakage (+€6,188, p < 0.001) and postoperative bleeding (+€31,567, p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Complications and severity of complications after esophageal surgery are associated with a substantial increase in costs. Although not all postoperative complications can be prevented, implementation of preventive measures to reduce complications could result in a considerable cost reduction and quality improvement.

[Timing of esophagectomy in multimodal therapy of esophageal cancer: Impact of time interval between neoadjuvant therapy and surgery on outcome and response]

BACKGROUND

Neoadjuvant radiochemotherapy [n(R)CT] has become the standard of care in the multimodal therapy concept for patients with locally advanced esophageal cancer; however, optimal timing of surgery is not clearly defined.

OBJECTIVES

The study analyzed whether the length of the interval between completion of n(R)CT and surgery can affect the postoperative outcome, tumor response and long-term survival.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

A total of 106 patients with adenocarcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus, treated between 2006 and 2013, were included in this study. On the basis of the median time interval to surgery, patients were divided into two groups [group A ≤ 40 days (n = 54) and group B > 40 days (n = 52)] and compared concerning demographic data, preoperative risk scores, morbidity, outcome, tumor response and long-term survival.

RESULTS

The groups were comparable in terms of demographics, preoperative condition of the patients, complications and outcome; however, group A showed a trend towards a higher mortality risk as preoperatively assessed by the physiological and operative severity score for the enumeration of mortality and morbidity in esophagogastric surgery patients (O-POSSUM) (p = 0.064) and group B showed a trend towards a higher rate of complete responders (p = 0.097).

CONCLUSION

Concerning perioperative morbidity and mortality, delayed surgery after n(R)CT showed no benefit for the patient's outcome; however, the rate of complete tumor response was higher in patients with a time interval of more than 40 days, although this did not influence long-term survival or recurrence rates.

Enhanced recovery after surgery for oncological craniotomies

Enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) initiatives in the fields of gastrointestinal and pelvic surgery have contributed to improved postoperative functional status for patients and decreased length of stay. A similar comprehensive protocol is lacking for patients undergoing craniotomy for tumor resection. A literature search was performed using PubMed. These references were reviewed with a preference for recent high quality studies. Cohort and retrospective studies were also included if higher levels of evidence were lacking. A literature search was conducted for scalp blocks and minimally invasive craniotomies. Papers were scored using Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) criteria for evidence level and recommendation grade. Seventeen ERAS items were reviewed and recommendations made. The current body of evidence is insufficient to create a standardized protocol for craniotomy and tumor resection. However, this initial review of the literature supports pursuing future research initiatives that explore modalities to improve functional recovery and decrease length of stay in craniotomy patients.

Mediastinoscopy-assisted oesophagectomy in T1 oesophageal cancer patients with serious comorbidities: a 5-year long-term follow-up

OBJECTIVES

Transthoracic oesophagectomy is associated with high morbidity and mortality. Some oesophageal cancer (OC) patients with serious comorbidities cannot tolerate transthoracic oesophagectomy. Therefore, we have adopted a minimally invasive approach to oesophagectomy for such patients.

METHODS

Eighty-five OC patients, who could not tolerate transthoracic oesophagectomy, received mediastinoscopy-assisted oesophagectomy (MAO) from January 2007 to January 2010 in our hospital. Seventy patients were confirmed to be in T1 stage by postoperative pathological diagnosis, and their complications and outcomes were retrospectively analysed in this study. The impact of invasion depth, tumour length and lymph node metastases on the 5-year survival rate of these patients was also analysed.

RESULTS

The operation time was 150.0 ± 15.0 min, and the perioperative bleeding volume was 202.0 ± 12.8 ml. Some patients had anastomotic leakage (5 cases), pneumonia (4 cases) and chylothorax (1 case). No patient died during hospitalization. The median postoperative hospital stay was 10 (7-22) days. The number of lymph nodes resected was 13.8 ± 4.4. The overall 5-year survival rate was 71%. Kaplan-Meier estimates revealed that tumour length (<2 vs ≥ 2 cm), lymph node metastasis (N0 vs N1) and depth of invasion (T1a vs T1b) could influence the 5-year survival rate (P <0.05). Multivariate analysis by Cox regression showed that lymph node metastasis and tumour length were independent prognostic factors for the 5-year survival rate (P <0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

MAO could be performed for T1 OC patients with serious comorbidities who cannot tolerate transthoracic oesophagectomy. Lymph node metastasis and tumour length were independent prognostic factors for these patients.