Surgical Treatment Results of Burn-Related Oesophageal Strictures

Outcomes of Gastric Conduit in Corrosive Esophageal Stricture: a Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Gastric conduit has emerged as the preferred treatment option for both esophageal bypass and replacement for corrosive stricture of the esophagus. There is a lack of consensus and a dearth of published literature regarding the short- and long-term complications of using a gastric conduit. This meta-analysis aims to evaluate the outcomes, morbidity, and complications associated with it.

METHODS

MEDLINE, Cochrane Library, and Google Scholar (January 1960 to May 2020) were systematically searched for all studies reporting short- and/or long-term outcomes and complications following the use of a gastric conduit for corrosive esophageal stricture.

RESULTS

Seven observational studies involving 489 patients (53.2% males, mean age ranging from 22.1 to 41 years) who had ingested a corrosive substance (acid in 74.8%, alkali in 20.7%, and unknown in the rest) were analyzed. Gastric pull-up was performed in 56.03% (274/489) of patients. Median blood loss in the procedure was 187.5 ml with a mean operative duration of 298.75 ± 55.73 min. The overall pooled prevalence rate of anastomotic leak was 14.4% [95% CI (6.2-24.0); p < 0.05, I² = 67.38], and anastomotic stricture was 27.2% [95% CI (13-42.8); p < 0.001, I² = 80.11]. Recurrent dysphagia according to pooled prevalence estimates occurred in 14.4% patients [95% CI (5.4-25.1); p < 0.05, I² = 69.1] and 90-day mortality in 4.8% patients [95% CI (1.5-9.1%); I² = 31.1, p = 0.202]. The dreaded complication of conduit necrosis had a pooled prevalence of 1.3% [95% CI (0.1-3.4%); I² = 0, p = 0.734].

CONCLUSION

The stomach can be safely used as the conduit of choice in corrosive strictures with an acceptable rate of complications, postoperative morbidity, and mortality.

Surgical management of esophageal stenosis due to ingestion of corrosive substances

BACKGROUND

Corrosive ingestion is a significant challenge for healthcare systems. Limited data are available regarding the best treatments, and there remains a lack of consensus about the optimal surgical approach and its outcomes. This study aims to review the current literature and show a single institution's experience regarding the surgical treatment of esophageal stenosis due to corrosive substance ingestion.

METHODS

A retrospective review that accounted for demographics, psychiatric profiles, surgical procedures, and outcomes was performed. A systematic review of the literature was performed using PubMed.

RESULTS

In total, 27 surgical procedures for esophageal stenosis due to corrosive substance ingestion were performed from 2010 to 2019. Depression and drug abuse were diagnosed in 30% and 22% of the included patients, respectively. Esophagectomies and esophageal bypasses were performed in 13 and 14 patients, respectively. No 30-day mortality was recorded.

CONCLUSION

Surgical intervention either by esophagectomy or esophageal bypass results in durable relief from dysphagia. However, successful clinical outcomes depend on a high-quality multidisciplinary network of esophageal and thoracic surgeons, intensivists, psychologists, psychiatrists, and nutritional teams.