Rehabilitación multimodal en la cirugía resectiva del esófago

"Tubeless" esophagectomy: Less is more

The esophageal cancer surgery is a complex procedure with elevated rates of both morbidity and mortality, which is why, in order to achieve adequate results, it should be performed in high volume centers, where complete multidisciplinary support is available and recent clinical guidelines are applied. We describe the initial experience and the technique of "tubeless" esophagectomy where esophageal resection and mediastinal lymphadenectomy are performed and no drains nor tubes of any kind are placed, with the aim to decrease the level of surgical aggression, enhance the postoperative comfort and accelerate the patient́s recovery.

"Tubeless" esophagectomy: Less is more

The esophageal cancer surgery is a complex procedure with elevated rates of both morbidity and mortality, which is why, in order to achieve adequate results, it should be performed in high volume centers, where complete multidisciplinary support is available and recent clinical guidelines are applied. We describe the initial experience and the technique of "tubeless" esophagectomy where esophageal resection and mediastinal lymphadenectomy are performed and no drains nor tubes of any kind are placed, with the aim to decrease the level of surgical aggression, enhance the postoperative comfort and accelerate the patient́s recovery.

Results of a National Survey about Therapeutic Management in Esophageal Cancer

There are numerous controversial aspects in the perioperative and surgical management of patients with esophageal cancer. The aim of this study is to evaluate the differences between the hospitals of our country in the adjuvant and surgical treatment of these patients. We conducted a descriptive study of 56 surveys answered from February to April 2020, evaluating hospital characteristics, number of procedures, management of distal adenocarcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma of the middle third of the esophagus, type of anastomosis, use of nasogastric tube and drains, and clinical follow-up. The median number of annual esophagectomies per hospital was 10, and only 7.1% performed more than 20. In distal adenocarcinoma, 62.5% use preoperative chemoradiotherapy, an abdominal and transthoracic approach (57.1%), and an infracarinal lymphadenectomy (51.8%) or extended to right paratracheal lymph nodes (41.1%). In squamous cell carcinoma of the middle third of the esophagus, 89.3% use preoperative chemoradiotherapy, surgery in three fields (73.2%) and extended mediastinal lymphadenectomy (52%). Intrathoracic anastomosis is performed mechanically in 77.8% and cervical anastomosis preferably manually (71.4%). Pleural and abdominal drains are usually placed by 77.6% and 48.2%, respectively, while the nasogastric tube is normally used by 57.1%. A clinical pathway is followed by 57.1%, and 28.6% use a specific enhanced recovery after surgery protocol. Thus, in the management of esophageal cancer, there are some clear differences between hospitals in our country regarding adjuvant treatment, surgical approach, type of lymphadenectomy and anastomosis performed.

Nasogastric tube utilization after esophagectomy: an unnecessary gesture?

INTRODUCTION

Nasogastric decompressive tube utilization has been accepted as one of the basic perioperative care measures after esophageal resection surgery. However, with the development of multimodal rehabilitation programs and without clear evidence to support their use, the systematic indication of this measure may be controversial.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Retrospective, descriptive and comparative study of patients who had undergone Ivor-Lewis esophagectomy in our center -from January 2015 to December 2018- with placement (Group S), or without placement (Group N) of a decompressive tube in gastroplasty during postoperative period. Epidemiological variables and differences between groups in post-surgical morbidity and mortality, hospital stay, onset of oral tolerance and the need for nasogastric tube placement were evaluated.

RESULTS

A total of 43 patients were included in this study, with a median age of 61 years, being 86% male. 46.5% were hypertensive, 25.5% had lung disease and 16.3% had diabetes mellitus. The median length of hospital stay was 9 days in group S versus 11.5 days in group N, with no differences in the onset of oral tolerance. Anastomotic dehiscence rate was 5% and 0% respectively. The overall mortality was 2.3% in the first 90 days, without differences between the groups. Placement of nasogastric tube during postoperative period was required only in 1 patient (4.3%) of the group N.

CONCLUSIONS

Non-use of nasogastric tube during postoperative period of an Ivor-Lewis esophagectomy is a safe measure, as it is not associated with a higher rate of complications or hospital stay. This fact may be able to improve patients' comfort and postoperative recovery.