Circular Stapler Method for Avoiding Stricture of Cervical Esophagogastric Anastomosis

Predictive factors for refractory anastomotic stricture after cervical triangular anastomosis with gastric conduit reconstruction through the posterior mediastinum in minimally invasive esophagectomy

BACKGROUND

After esophagectomy, anastomotic strictures disturb food passage and increase the incidence of aspiration pneumonia. Multiple endoscopic balloon dilatations are required to treat strictures. As a result, long-term quality of life and nutritional status might be adversely affected. The aim of this study was to identify risk factors for strictures after cervical triangular anastomosis using gastric conduit among patients who underwent minimally invasive esophagectomy (MIE).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In total, 188 patients who underwent MIE for esophageal cancer between 2010 and 2020 at Kobe University Hospital were retrospectively examined. The incidence of strictures, number of dilatations for stricture, and time to stricture diagnosis were evaluated. Next, potential independent risk factor for refractory strictures requiring more than five endoscopic balloon dilatations was clarified.

RESULTS

The study included 188 patients who satisfied the inclusion criteria. Anastomotic strictures were observed in 44 patients (23%). Neoadjuvant chemotherapy was significantly more common in patients with stricture than in patients without stricture (75% vs. 58%, p = 0.041). The median number of endoscopic balloon dilations was 5 (range, 1-31); 30 patients (68%) underwent their first dilatation within 3 months after MIE. In univariate and multivariate analysis, less than 69 days from surgery to first endoscopic balloon dilatation was an independent risk factor for stricture requiring more than five endoscopic balloon dilatations after cervical triangular anastomosis in MIE (hazard ratio, 9.483; 95% confidence interval, 2.220-54.274; p = 0.002).

CONCLUSIONS

It is necessary to consider that early postoperative anastomotic stricture might become refractory and develop an appropriate treatment plan.

Risk factors and prognosis for supraclavicular lymph node metastasis in patients with thoracic esophageal cancer. Distant or regional metastasis?

We aimed to determine the frequency and prognosis of supraclavicular (#104) lymph node (LN) metastasis compared with other LN stations in patients with advanced thoracic esophageal cancer and to identify risk factors for metastasis to delineate the indications for three-field lymphadenectomy (3FL). The study cohort of 567 eligible patients with esophageal cancer had undergone subtotal esophagectomy from 2003 to 2020. LN metastasis was defined as pathologically proven metastasis or positron emission tomography-positive LNs. The efficacy index (EI), calculated from the frequency of LN metastases and survival rates, was used as prognostic value of each LN station dissection for patient survival. Risk factors for #104 LN metastasis were determined by multivariable logistic regression. The frequency of #104 LN metastasis was 11.6% overall, 31.7% in upper and 8.3% in middle/lower third lesion. Neoadjuvant chemotherapy was administered to 71% of patients and chemo-radiation to 11%. The 5-year overall survival was 45.8%. The EI for #104 LNs (5.3) was similar to that for #101 LNs. Risk factors were age < 65 years, upper third lesion, clinical N2-3, #101/106rec LN metastasis and poorly differentiated carcinoma. The 5-year overall survival of patients with middle/lower lesions was 38% (EI 3.1), similar to that for #101 and #8/9/11 LNs. The prognosis of patients with #104 LN metastases is similar to that of patients with metastases in other regional LN stations. Therefore, we recommend 3FL exclusively for patients at a high risk of #104 LN metastasis due to the overall metastatic rate not being high.

Short-term Outcomes of Different Techniques for Gastric Ischemic Preconditioning Before Esophagectomy: A Network Meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Ischemia at the anastomotic site plays a critical role determinant in the development of anastomosis-related complications after esophagectomy. Gastric ischemic conditioning (GIC) before esophagectomy has been described to improve the vascular perfusion at the tip of the gastric conduit with a potential effect on anastomotic leak (AL) and stenosis (AS) risk minimization. Laparoscopic (LapGIC) and angioembolization (AngioGIC) techniques have been reported.

PURPOSE

Compare short-term outcomes among different GIC techniques.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Systematic review and network meta-analysis. One-step esophagectomy (noGIC), LapGIC, and AngioGIC were compared. Primary outcomes were AL, AS, and gastric conduit necrosis (GCN). Risk ratio (RR) and weighted mean difference (WMD) were used as pooled effect size measures, whereas 95% credible intervals (CrIs) were used to assess relative inference.

RESULTS

Overall, 1760 patients (14 studies) were included. Of those, 1028 patients (58.4%) underwent noGIC, 593 (33.6%) LapGIC, and 139 (8%) AngioGIC. AL was reduced for LapGIC versus noGIC (RR=0.68; 95% CrI 0.47-0.98) and AngioGIC versus noGIC (RR=0.52; 95% CrI 0.31-0.93). Similarly, AS was reduced for LapGIC versus noGIC (RR=0.32; 95% CrI 0.12-0.68) and AngioGIC versus noGIC (RR=1.30; 95% CrI 0.65-2.46). The indirect comparison, assessed with the network methodology, did not show any differences for LapGIC versus AngioGIC in terms of postoperative AL and AS risk. No differences were found for GCN, pulmonary complications, overall complications, hospital length of stay, and 30-day mortality among different treatments.

CONCLUSIONS

Compared to noGIC, both LapGIC and AngioGIC before esophagectomy seem equivalent and associated with a reduced risk for postoperative AL and AS.

Comparison of the subtotal and narrow gastric conduit for cervical esophagogastrostomy after esophagectomy in esophageal cancer patients: a propensity score-matched analysis

BACKGROUND

Several reports have compared narrow gastric conduit (NGC) with subtotal gastric conduit (SGC) for cervical esophagogastrostomy after esophagectomy; however, whether which one is more beneficial in terms of postoperative complications remains unclear. To determine the optimal gastric conduit type, we retrospectively investigated and compared the postoperative complications between NGC and SGC used in cervical circular-tapered esophagogastrostomy after esophagectomy through a propensity score-matched analysis.

METHODS

Between 2008 and 2022, 577 consecutive esophageal cancer patients who underwent esophagectomy and cervical circular-stapled esophagogastrostomy were enrolled in this study.

RESULTS

Of the 577 patients, 77 were included each in the SGC and NGC groups, after propensity score matching. Clinical characteristics did not differ between the two groups. The anastomotic leakage rate was significantly lower in the SGC group than in the NGC group (5% vs. 22%, p < 0.01). The anastomotic stenosis rate was significantly higher in the SGC group (16% vs. 5%, p = 0.03). Multivariate logistic analysis showed that NGC, subcutaneous route, and age were significant independent factors associated with anastomotic leakage (odds ratios, 8.58, 6.49, and 5.21; p < 0.01, < 0.01 and 0.03, respectively) and that SGC was a significant independent factor associated with anastomotic stricture (odds ratios, 4.91; p = 0.04).

CONCLUSIONS

In cervical circular-stapled esophagogastrostomy after esophagectomy, SGC was superior to NGC in terms of reducing the risk of anastomotic leakage, although the risk of anastomotic stricture needs to be resolved.

Effect of gastric ischemic conditioning prior to esophagectomy: systematic review and meta-analysis

Ischemia at the anastomotic site is thought to be a protagonist in the development of anastomosis-related complications while different strategies to overcome this problem have been reported. Gastric ischemic conditioning (GIC) prior to esophagectomy has been described with this intent. Evaluate the effect of GIC on anastomotic complications after esophagectomy. Scopus, Web of Science, MEDLINE, and PubMed were investigated up to March 31st, 2023. We considered articles that appraised short-term outcomes after GIC vs. no GIC in patients undergoing esophagectomy. Anastomotic leak (AL), anastomotic stricture (AS), and gastric conduit necrosis (GCN) were primary outcomes. Risk ratio (RR) and standardized mean difference (SMD) were used as pooled effect size measures, whereas 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) were used to calculate related inference. Fourteen studies (1760 patients) were included. Of those, 732 (41.6%) underwent GIC, while 1028 (58.4%) underwent one-step esophagectomy. Compared with no GIC, GIC was related to a reduced RR for AL (R RR = 0.63; 95% CI 0.47-0.86; p < 0.01) and AS (RR = 0.51; 95% CI 0.29-0.91; p = 0.02), whereas no differences were found for GCN (RR = 0.56; 95% CI 0.19-1.61; p = 0.28). Postoperative pneumonia (RR = 1.09; p = 0.99), overall complications (RR = 0.87; p = 0.19), operative time (SMD - 0.58; p = 0.07), hospital stay (SMD 0.66; p = 0.09), and 30-day mortality (RR = 0.69; p = 0.22) were comparable. GIC prior to esophagectomy seems associated with a reduced risk for AL and AS. Further studies are necessary to identify the subset of patients who can benefit from this procedure, the optimal technique, and the timing of GIC prior to esophagectomy.

Intrathoracic anastomosis using handsewn purse-string suturing by the double-ligation method in laparo-thoracoscopic esophagectomy

Purpose

In minimally invasive esophagectomy (MIE), it is important to reduce the rate of anastomotic leakage to ensure its safety. At our institute, the double-ligation method (DLM) has been introduced to insert and fix the anvil of the circular stapler for intracorporeal circular esophagojejunostomy in gastric surgery. We adopted this method for intrathoracic anastomosis (IA) in MIE. The aim of this study was to investigate the safety of IA with DLM in MIE.

Methods

In this study, 48 patients diagnosed with primary middle or lower third segment thoracic esophageal carcinoma with clinical stage I, II, III or IV disease were retrospectively evaluated. Postoperative outcomes were assessed.

Results

Among the 48 patients, 42 patients underwent laparo-thoracoscopic esophagectomy and IA using a circular stapler with the DLM. The average total operation time and thoracoscopic operation time were 433 and 229 minutes, respectively. The average purse-string suturing time was 4.7 minutes. The rates of anastomotic leakage and stenosis were 2.4% and 14.3%, respectively. The overall incidence of postoperative complications (Clavien-Dindo grade of ≥III) was 16.7%. The average postoperative stay was 16 days.

Conclusion

The procedure of IA using a circular stapler with the DLM in MIE was safe and provided a low rate of anastomotic leakage.

Linear- versus circular-stapled esophagogastric anastomosis during esophagectomy: systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Different techniques have been described for esophagogastric anastomosis. Over the past decades, surgeons have been improving anastomotic techniques with a gradual shift from hand-sewn to stapled anastomosis. Nowadays, circular-stapled (CS) and linear-stapled (LS) anastomosis are commonly used during esophagectomy.

METHODS

PubMed, MEDLINE, Scopus, and Web of Science were searched up to June 2022. The included studies evaluated short-term outcomes for LS vs. CS anastomosis in patients undergoing esophagectomy for cancer. Primary outcomes were anastomotic leak (AL) and stricture (AS). Risk ratio (RR) and standardized mean difference (SMD) were used as pooled effect size measures whereas 95% confidence intervals (95%CI) were used to assess relative inference.

RESULTS

Eighteen studies (2861 patients) were included. Overall, 1371 (47.9%) underwent CS while 1490 (52.1%) LS. Compared to CS, LS was associated with a significantly reduced RR for AL (RR = 0.70; 95% CI 0.54-0.91; p < 0.01) and AS (RR = 0.32; 95% CI 0.20-0.51; p < 0.0001). Stratified subgroup analysis according to the level of anastomosis (cervical and thoracic) still shows a tendency toward reduced risk for LS. No differences were found for pneumonia (RR 0.78; p = 0.12), reflux esophagitis (RR 0.74; p = 0.36), operative time (SMD -0.25; p = 0.16), hospital length of stay (SMD 0.13; p = 0.51), and 30-day mortality (RR 1.26; p = 0.42).

CONCLUSIONS

LS anastomosis seems associated with a tendency toward a reduced risk for AL and AS. Although surgeon's own training and experience might direct the choice of esophagogastric anastomosis, our meta-analysis encourages the use of LS anastomosis.