Oesophagogastrectomy using the end-to-end anastomosing stapler

Comparison of stapled and hand-sewn esophagogastric anastomoses

BACKGROUND

Esophagogastric anastomotic leaks continue to be a major source of morbidity and mortality after esophagectomy. Leaks usually result from technical errors or occult ischemia of the mobilized gastric fundus. The introduction of stapled esophagogastric anastomoses was initially very promising; leak rates appeared to be reduced.

DATA SOURCES

The English language medical literature was searched for publications comparing stapled and hand-sewn esophagogastric anastomoses. We reviewed data from four randomized trials and seven nonrandomized comparative studies to determine if stapling was superior to hand suturing for esophagogastric anastomoses.

RESULTS

Pooled data from randomized trials comparing stapled with hand-sewn esophagogastric anastomoses showed no significant difference for leaks (stapled 9%, hand-sewn 8%, P <0.67), but a higher incidence of strictures in stapled anastomoses (stapled 27%, hand-sewn 16%, P < 0.02). In nonrandomized studies, stapled anastomoses had a lower leak rate (stapled 6%, hand-sewn 11%, P < 0.0001), but strictures were more frequent (stapled 31%, hand-sewn 16%, P < 0.0001). A major source of bias in the nonrandomized studies was the comparison of contemporary stapled experience and earlier hand-sewn experience. This bias was not present in three of seven nonrandomized studies that featured prospective data collection. Pooled data from these three studies showed no difference in anastomotic leak rate (stapled 4%, hand-sewn 6%, P < 0.28).

CONCLUSIONS

Stapled and hand-sewn esophagogastric anastomotic techniques have equivalent anastomotic leak rates, but strictures are more common in stapled anastomoses. Irrespective of which technique is used, surgical experience and meticulous attention to detail are required to prevent anastomotic complications. Anastomotic technical modifications alone are unlikely to eliminate the problem of leaks, since they do not address the problem of gastric fundal ischemia.

Single-layered cervical esophageal anastomoses: a prospective study of two suturing techniques

We carried out a prospective, randomized study over a 1-year period to compare the efficacy of a single layer of continuous absorbable monofilament (Maxon) with that of a single layer of interrupted Polyglactin sutures (Vicryl) in the performance of cervical esophagogastric anastomoses. Forty-two consecutive patients with carcinoma of the esophagus or cardia, in whom the stomach was transposed through the mediastinal route after esophagectomy, were enrolled in the study. There were 21 patients in each group. There was no hospital mortality. One asymptomatic anastomotic leak and two early anastomotic strictures requiring dilation occurred in patients in whom an interrupted technique was employed. The continuous technique required significantly less operative time (p < 0.0001), and the cost of the suture material was reduced markedly. We conclude that either a continuous or an interrupted monolayer esophagogastric anastomosis can give satisfactory results after esophagectomy for cancer, provided that the vascular supply to the gastric fundus is maintained adequately. The continuous technique has the advantages of being time-saving, cheaper, and easier to perform and to teach.

Oesophagogastrectomy for carcinoma of the oesophagus and cardia

A retrospective review was undertaken of all oesophagectomies performed within a single unit over a 12-year period. In all, 298 patients with primary oesophageal cancer underwent resection between March 1979 and December 1991. Four patients had a three-stage oesophagogastrectomy, 27 a thoracoabdominal oesophagogastrectomy and 267 a Lewis procedure. Dysphagia was the predominant presenting symptom. The duration of symptoms was not related to the stage of disease. Before diagnosis, 52 per cent of patients tolerated symptoms for 2-4 months. Adenocarcinoma was found in 180 tumours and squamous cell carcinoma in 103. Half of the patients had evidence of metastatic spread at the time of laparotomy or thoracotomy. The 30-day mortality rate was 10 per cent and the overall actuarial 5-year survival rate of all patients 23 per cent. The actuarial 5-year survival rate of patients without lymph node involvement was 39 per cent compared with 17 per cent for those with positive nodes (P < 0.05). Five of eight patients who had anastomotic leakage died. The almost unselected nature of this series, coupled with the favourable results of oesophagectomy, support the contention that resection remains the preferred mode of treatment for carcinoma of the oesophagus of all histological types.

Balloon dilatation for anastomotic stricture after upper gastro-intestinal surgery

We report our study on the correlation between the types of anastomosis and the incidence of anastomotic stricture formation in the upper gastro-intestinal tract. Our experience with balloon dilatation is also reported. We examined the incidence of stricture formation among patients who had an anastomosis between the esophagus and stomach following subtotal esophagectomy for esophageal cancer, and esophagojejunostomy following proximal or total gastrectomy for gastric cancer in the past 17 years. Among 283 patients undergoing esophagojejunostomy, 7 cases of stricture (excluding 3 cases of cancer recurrence) were observed (conventional anastomosis 1.8%; stapling anastomosis 4.6%). There were 17 cases of stricture among 56 patients who had anastomosis between the esophagus and stomach following subtotal esophagectomy (conventional anastomosis 28.6%; stapling anastomosis 50.0%). One month or more after the operation, the diameter of the esophagojejunostomy was estimated using a barium study. The mean diameter of the anastomosis using the stapling method was 11.9 +/- 2.9 mm, whereas the mean diameter of serosubmucosal single layer hand-sewn anastomosis (Jourdan's) was 19.8 +/- 2.2 mm, and that of vertical mattress hand-sewn anastomosis was 19.0 +/- 2.0 mm. Balloon dilatation was used in 29 patients with anastomotic stricture of the upper gastro-intestinal tract (esophageal cancer, 19 patients, gastric cancer, 10 patients). With repeated dilatation, we were able to obtain satisfactory efficacy for benign strictures and there were no severe complications. We believe that balloon dilatation is an easy, safe and effective therapy for anastomotic stricture of the upper gastro-intestinal tract.

[Surgical stapler technique for gastric tube formation and anastomosis after esophageal resection]

55 out of 62 patients being operated of esophageal carcinoma underwent gastric tube by stapling technique at the Department of General and Abdominal Surgery, Hospitals and Clinics, Johannes Gutenberg University, Mainz. In 32 cases the intrathoric anastomosis had been performed by using the circular stapling instrument. One patient (3.2%) out of two (6.3%) showing suture dehiscencies died consequently to this complication. A stenosis of the intrathoric anastomosis developed in 11 patients. The stapling technique convinced as a surgically simple and safe method of restructing the nutrition passage after esophageal resection.

Comparison of a single layer continuous hand-sewn method and circular stapling in 580 oesophageal anastomoses

A total of 611 patients with carcinoma of the oesophagus or gastric cardia were operated on between July 1982 and December 1989. Resection was performed in 491 patients (one-stage, 483; two-stage, eight), bypass operation in 97, and 23 had exploration alone. The anastomoses of 580 patients with one-stage resection and bypass operations were evaluated. Hand-sewn anastomosis using a single layer of continuous absorbable monofilament suture was performed in 304 patients (221 resections and 83 bypasses). A stapled anastomosis was performed on 276 patients (262 resections and 14 bypasses). Following resection, there were 11 (5 per cent) anastomotic leaks in the hand-sewn group and ten (3.8 per cent) in the stapled anastomosis group (P = 0.69). Excluding anastomotic leaks, hospital mortality and anastomotic recurrence, stricture occurred in 18 of 172 hand-sewn anastomoses (10.5 per cent) and in 57 of 195 stapled anastomoses (29.2 per cent) (P less than 0.001). In patients who had bypass operations there were 12 anastomotic leaks, ten in the hand-sewn group (12.0 per cent) and two in the stapled anastomosis group (14.3 per cent). Only two of the discharged patients with bypass developed anastomotic strictures, a low incidence probably because of short survival. In addition, there were 245 subsidiary anastomoses made in the abdomen by the hand-sewn method as part of the reconstructive procedure, and there was one leak. The results of this non-randomized study suggest that hand-sewn anastomosis using a single layer continuous technique for the oesophagus is as safe as the use of circular staplers; hand-sewn anastomosis is less likely to become stenotic.

Esophagogastrectomy via left thoracophrenotomy

Esophagogastrectomy is generally considered to be the treatment of choice for resectable tumors of the esophagus. Although many approaches and techniques have been advocated, since April 1983 we have used a left thoracophrenotomy approach for most lesions of the lower two thirds of the esophagus and gastric cardia. Stapling instruments have been used for mobilization of the stomach and fashioning of the esophagogastric anastomosis. One-hundred fifteen patients undergoing resection of malignant tumors with this technique were retrospectively reviewed. Perioperative mortality was 8.7% (10/115). The rate of anastomotic leakage was 1.7% (2/115), and benign narrowing of the anastomosis requiring dilation developed in 16 patients. The rate of recurrent anastomotic tumor was 4.3%. Eighteen patients had complications, and the mean postoperative hospital stay was 13 days. Survival at 3 years was 22.1%. During the period of study, 22 patients underwent esophageal resection by some other approach; the reasons for this are described. The advantages of the left thoracophrenotomy approach are discussed.

An improved technique for oesophagojejunal anastomosis using the EEA Premium stapling gun

Using the new Premium Curved EEA stapling device we describe a modified technique for performing a safe oesophagojejunal anastomosis.

Complications after esophagogastrectomy using stapling instruments

We studied 195 patients undergoing esophageal resection using stapling instruments during a period of over 8.5 years. Of these, 178 (91.2%) underwent operation for malignant disease. Operative death occurred in 19 patients (9.7%). Nine (4.6%) postoperative complications, excluding stricture formation, were related to the use of stapling instruments, including two operative deaths (1.0%). Anastomotic leaks and gastrotomy staple line leaks were the most common complications (four each). In 7 patients (3.6%) the circular stapler tore the esophagus; anastomotic leaks subsequently developed in 43% of these patients. After we began oversewing gastrotomy staple lines in 1984, we experienced only one gastrotomy leak due to a technical error. Postoperative stricture formation occurred soon after resection and responded well to one or two dilations. It is better to err on the side of choosing too small a stapling head when performing an esophageal anastomosis because this may reduce the incidence of leaks, and further strictures are easily dealt with.

Anastomotic leakage: an avoidable complication of Lewis-Tanner oesophagectomy

Data were collected prospectively from 159 patients undergoing Lewis-Tanner oesophagectomy for carcinoma of the lower two-thirds of the oesophagus and analysed with regard to anastomotic leakage. The 30-day mortality rate was 3.8 per cent and none of these deaths was due to anastomotic leakage. In hospital, mortality was 7.5 per cent. Six patients (3.8 per cent) had evidence of a leak. In four patients this was from the suture line, but in the remaining two it was due to patches of gangrene in the fundus of the transposed stomach and was separate from the anastomosis. Two patients died with an unhealed leak. Anastomotic leaks were minor in three instances and healed with conservative treatment but the fourth required exploration. Gangrene of the oesophageal substitute resulted in gross leakage with mediastinitis and required exploration in both cases. An apparent predisposing cause was evident in five of the six cases with leakage and some of these might have been avoidable. Transthoracic oesophagectomy can be performed with acceptably low mortality and leak rates and may therefore be considered as the treatment of choice for most patients with oesophageal cancer.

Oesophagogastrectomy in patients over 70

Although the results of oesophageal resection for benign and malignant disease are well documented, the risk of operative death and long term survival in patients over the age of 70 is not well defined. The outcome has been reviewed for 46 patients (23 male, 23 female) aged 70 years or more (mean 74 years) undergoing oesophageal resection during a period of seven years; 16 patients were 75 years or over. All resections were performed with the EEA stapler, except for one cervical anastomosis that was stitched by hand. In 42 patients resection was for malignancy. Six patients died within 30 days of operation or during the initial hospital stay, giving an operative mortality of 13%. Only one of the 16 patients aged 75 years or more died. Cardiopulmonary complications accounted for most of the operative deaths. Patients were scored retrospectively by a multifactual risk factor. Patients who left hospital had a mean preoperative score of 3.66, compared with 15.2 for those who died. Use of such a score may help to improve selection for surgery in this age group. It is concluded that oesophagogastrectomy may be performed in selected patients over the age of 70 years with acceptable mortality, morbidity, and length of hospital stay.