The influence of anastomotic techniques on postoperative anastomotic complications: Results of the Oesophago-Gastric Anastomosis Audit

Outcomes of a novel double-stapled anastomotic technique in esophagectomy

The double-stapled (DS) anastomotic technique associates with lower odds of anastomotic leak and stricture. SS, Single posterior stapled.

Is Robotic Surgery the Future for Resectable Esophageal Cancer?: A Systematic Literature Review of Oncological and Clinical Outcomes

BACKGROUND

Radical esophagectomy for resectable esophageal cancer is a major surgical intervention, associated with considerable postoperative morbidity. The introduction of robotic surgical platforms in esophagectomy may enhance advantages of minimally invasive surgery enabled by laparoscopy and thoracoscopy, including reduced postoperative pain and pulmonary complications. This systematic review aims to assess the clinical and oncological benefits of robot-assisted esophagectomy.

METHODS

A systematic literature search of the MEDLINE (PubMed), Embase and Cochrane databases was performed for studies published up to 1 August 2023. This review was conducted according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) protocols and was registered in the PROSPERO database (CRD42022370983). Clinical and oncological outcomes data were extracted following full-text review of eligible studies.

RESULTS

A total of 113 studies (n = 14,701 patients, n = 2455 female) were included. The majority of the studies were retrospective in nature (n = 89, 79%), and cohort studies were the most common type of study design (n = 88, 79%). The median number of patients per study was 54. Sixty-three studies reported using a robotic surgical platform for both the abdominal and thoracic phases of the procedure. The weighted mean incidence of postoperative pneumonia was 11%, anastomotic leak 10%, total length of hospitalisation 15.2 days, and a resection margin clear of the tumour was achieved in 95% of cases.

CONCLUSIONS

There are numerous reported advantages of robot-assisted surgery for resectable esophageal cancer. A correlation between procedural volume and improvements in outcomes with robotic esophagectomy has also been identified. Multicentre comparative clinical studies are essential to identify the true objective benefit on outcomes compared with conventional surgical approaches before robotic surgery is accepted as standard of practice.

Postoperative Outcomes and Quality of Life After Left Thoracoabdominal Esophagogastrectomy: Contrasting Esophagogastrostomy with Esophagojejunostomy

BACKGROUND

Following left thoracoabdominal (LTA) esophagogastrectomy, gastrointestinal continuity can be re-established via esophagogastrostomy or esophagojejunostomy. We explored how the method of reconstruction impacted postoperative outcomes and quality of life (QoL).

METHODS

From January 2007 to January 2022, patients undergoing LTA were identified from a single center's prospectively maintained database. Following esophagogastrectomy or extended total gastrectomy, an esophagogastrostomy (GAS) or Roux-en-Y esophagojejunostomy (R-Y) was fashioned. Postoperative outcomes were compared according to the method of reconstruction. The Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Esophagus (FACT-E) questionnaire compared QoL.

RESULTS

Of the 147 LTA patients identified, 135 (92%) were included-97 GAS (72%) and 38 R-Y patients (28%). R-Y patients had more ypT3/4 lesions (97% vs. 61%, p ≤ 0.001) and a similar incidence of ypN+/M+ disease. Anastomotic leaks were more common among GAS patients (17% vs. 3%, p = 0.023), however grade 3/4 complications (26.6% vs. 19.4%, p = 0.498), reoperation, intensive care admission, hospital representation and readmission were similar. FACT-E data were available for 68/97 (70%) GAS patients and 22/38 (58%) R-Y patients, with scores for 80/21/24/18/23/24 patients at baseline/preoperatively/1 month/3-6 months/1-3 years/3+ years postoperatively, respectively. Comparing between the groups, the scores were similar at each timepoint. FACT-E improved between baseline and preoperatively (79, 34-124 vs. 102, 81-123, p = 0.027). Only at 3+ years were postoperative scores equivalent to preoperative values. GAS patients had more reflux and esophagitis >6 months postoperatively (54% vs. 13%, p = 0.048; 62% vs. 0%, p ≤ 0.001).

CONCLUSION

While the type of reconstruction did not affect QoL, it did affect the postoperative course.

Extension of lymph node dissection in the surgical treatment of esophageal and gastroesophageal junction cancer: seven questions and answers

The role of two- or three-field nodal dissection in the surgical treatment of esophageal and gastroesophageal junction cancer in the minimally invasive era is still controversial. This review aims to clarify the extension of nodal dissection in esophageal and gastroesophageal junctional cancer. A basic evidence-based analysis was designed, and seven research questions were formulated and answered with a narrative review. Reports with little or no data, single cases, small series and review articles were not included. Three-field lymph node dissection improves staging accuracy, enhances locoregional disease control and might improve survival in the group of patients with cervical and upper mediastinal metastatic lymph nodal involvement from middle and proximal-third esophageal cancer.

A 25 mm Circular Stapler Anastomosis Is Associated with Higher Anastomotic Leakage Rates Following Minimally Invasive Ivor Lewis Operation

(1) Background: Minimally invasive oesophagectomy (MIE) with intrathoracic anastomosis is increasingly used in treating patients with oesophageal cancer. Anastomotic leakage (AL) remains a critical perioperative complication, despite recent advances in surgical techniques. It remains unclear to what extent the size of the circular stapler (CS), a 25 mm CS or a bigger CS, may affect the incidence of AL. This study aimed to evaluate whether the CS size in oesophagogastrostomy affects the postoperative AL rates and related morbidity in MIE. (2) Methods: We conducted a retrospective review of consecutive patients who had undergone thoracic MIE between August 2014 and July 2019 using a CS oesophagogastric anastomosis at the level of the Vena azygos. The patients were grouped according to CS size (mm): small-sized (SS25) and large-sized (LS29). The patient demographics, data regarding morbidity, and clinical outcomes were compared. The primary outcome measure was the AL rate related to the stapler size. (3) Results: A total of 119 patients were included (SS25: n = 65; LS29: n = 54). Except for the distribution of squamous cell carcinoma, the demographics were similar in each group. The AL rate was 3.7% in the LS29 group and 18.5% in the SS25 group (p = 0.01). The major morbidity (CD ≥ 3a) was significantly more frequent in the SS25 group compared with the LS29 group (p = 0.02). CS size, pulmonary complications, and cardiovascular disease were independent risk factors for AL in the multivariate analysis. (4) Conclusions: A 29 mm CS is associated with significantly improved surgical outcomes following standard MIE at the level of the azygos vein and should be conducted whenever technically feasible.

The Implementation of Minimally Invasive Surgery in the Treatment of Esophageal Cancer: A Step Toward Better Outcomes?

Esophagectomy is considered the cornerstone of the radical treatment of esophageal cancer. In the past decades, minimally invasive techniques including robot-assisted approaches have become popular. The aim of minimally invasive surgery is to reduce the surgical trauma, resulting in faster recovery, reduction in complications, and better quality of life after surgery. Secondly, a more precise dissection may lead to better oncological outcomes. As such, minimally invasive esophagectomy is now seen by many as the standard surgical approach. However, evidence supporting this viewpoint is limited. This narrative review summarizes recent prospectively designed studies on minimally invasive esophagectomy.