Cervical triangulating stapled anastomosis: technique and initial experience

Reducing Conduit Ischemia and Anastomotic Leaks in Transhiatal Esophagectomy: Six Principles

BACKGROUND

Transhiatal esophagectomy (THE) is an accepted approach for distal esophageal (DE) and gastroesophageal junction (GEJ) cancers. Its reported weaknesses are limited loco-regional resection and high anastomotic leak rates. We have used laparoscopic assistance to perform a THE (LapTHE) as our preferred method of resection for GEJ and DE cancers for over 20 years. Our unique approach and experience may provide technical insights and perhaps superior outcomes.

METHODS

We reviewed all patients who underwent LapTHE for DE and GEJ malignancy over 10 years (2011-2020). We included 6 principles in our approach: (1) minimize dissection trauma using laparoscopy; (2) routine Kocher maneuver; (3) division of lesser sac adhesions exposing the entire gastroepiploic arcade; (4) gaining excess conduit mobility, allowing resection of proximal stomach, and performing the anastomosis with a well perfused stomach; (5) stapled side-to-side anastomosis; and (6) routine feeding jejunostomy and early oral diet.

RESULTS

One hundred and forty-seven patients were included in the analysis. The median number of lymph nodes procured was 19 (range 5-49). Negative margins were achieved in all cases (95% confidence interval [CI] 98-100%). Median hospital stay was 7 days. Overall major complication rate was 24% (17-32%), 90-day mortality was 2.0% (0.4-5.8%), and reoperation was 5.4% (2.4-10%). Three patients (2.0%, 0.4-5.8%) developed anastomotic leaks. Median follow-up was 901 days (range 52-5240). Nine patients (6.1%, 2.8-11%) developed anastomotic strictures.

CONCLUSIONS

Routine use of LapTHE for DE and GEJ cancers and inclusion of these six operative principles allow for a low rate of anastomotic complications relative to national benchmarks.

Circular vs. linear stapling after minimally invasive and robotic-assisted esophagectomy: a pooled analysis

Purpose

Current data states that most likely there are differences in postoperative complications regarding linear and circular stapling in open esophagectomy. This, however, has not yet been summarized and overviewed for minimally invasive esophagectomy, which is being performed increasingly.

Methods

A pooled analysis was conducted, including 4 publications comparing linear and circular stapling techniques in minimally invasive esophagectomy (MIE) and robotic-assisted minimally invasive esophagectomy (RAMIE). Primary endpoints were anastomotic leakage, pulmonary complications, and mean hospital stay.

Results

Summarizing the 4 chosen publications, no difference in anastomotic insufficiency could be displayed (p = 0.34). Similar results were produced for postoperative pulmonary complications. Comparing circular stapling (CS) to linear stapling (LS) did not show a trend towards a favorable technique (p = 0.82). Some studies did not take learning curves into account. Postoperative anastomotic stricture was not specified to an extent that made a summary of the publications possible.

Conclusions

In conclusion, data is not sufficient to provide a differentiated recommendation towards mechanical stapling techniques for individual patients undergoing MIE and RAMIE. Therefore, further RCTs are necessary for the identification of potential differences between LS and CS. At this point in research, we therefore suggest evading towards choosing a single anastomotic technique for each center. Momentarily, enduring the learning curve of the surgeon has the greatest evidence in reducing postoperative complication rates.

Comparison of a modified one-piece mechanical and double-layer hand-sewn anastomosis in McKeown esophagogastrectomy: A single-institute retrospective study

The present study aimed to introduce a novel method of cervical esophagogastric anastomosis, so-called ‘modified one-piece mechanical anastomosis’ (MOMA) in McKeown esophagogastrectomy and to compare its feasibility, efficacy and safety with those of ‘conventionally double-layer hand-sewn anastomosis’ (CDHA). Between March 2016 and March 2018, 80 consecutive patients with thoracic esophageal squamous cell carcinoma undergoing McKeown esophagogastrectomy with a curative intent were included in the present study. Among them, 40 received MOMA and the other 40 received CDHA. Their medical records, including operation time, anastomotic time, estimated blood loss, postoperative complications within 30 days, as well as survival rate, were retrospectively reviewed, analyzed and compared. Total operation time, anastomotic time and estimated blood loss in the MOMA group were significantly decreased compared with those in the CDHA group (207.73±2.66 vs. 225.40±3.43 min; 10.95±0.44 vs. 23.03±0.47 min; 144.50±21.14 vs. 241.75±23.75 ml; all P<0.01). Anastomotic leakage was present in 1 patient in the CDHA group, but no patients in the MOMA group (P=1.000). Anastomotic stenosis was documented in 4 and 2 patients in the MOMA and CDHA group, respectively (P=0.392). The 30-day operative mortality was 0% and no significant difference was demonstrated in postoperative complications within groups (P>0.05). Furthermore, the disease-free and overall survival was compared by means of Kaplan-Meier survival estimates and log-rank tests and no statistical difference was determined (P=0.5114 and P=0.7875, respectively). McKeown esophagogastrectomy with MOMA may be a feasible, effective and reproducible alternative with relatively satisfactory postoperative outcomes for the treatment of TE-SCC, providing shorter operation and anastomosis times, and less estimated intraoperative blood loss.

The assessment of intraoperative technique-related risk factors and the treatment of anastomotic leakage after esophagectomy: a narrative review

Anastomotic leakage, including cervical anastomotic leakage and intrathoracic anastomotic leakage, is a serious complication of esophageal cancer and a leading cause of death after esophagectomy. In fact, anastomotic leakage after esophagectomy can be caused by numerous factors in the preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative periods. Intraoperative technique-related risk factors, including surgical methods, anastomosis sites, anastomosis methods, the type of gastric tube, and reconstruction routes, are the key causes of its occurrence. Anastomotic leakage treatments include both surgical and non-surgical treatments, while surgical treatment has high risks, many complications, and high mortality. Actually, non-surgical methods including naso-leakage drainage, stent, negative pressure therapy, and so on, are also very critical in the treatment of anastomotic leakage. So, the selection of correct and appropriate treatment methods plays an important role in alleviating the suffering of patients, shortening hospitalization time, and reducing mortality. This study undertook a systematic review in which data in the PubMed database were searched and analyzed to assess the safety and efficacy of surgical technique-related factors in esophagectomy, and appropriate treatment of anastomotic leakage after esophagectomy. In conclusion, gastric tube, posterior mediastinal route and stapled anastomosis are safe among esophagectomy surgical techniques, and non-surgical treatment of anastomotic leakage such as naso-leakage drainage is feasible in the majority of cases.

Comparison of circular stapling, triangulating stapling and T-shape stapling for cervical anastomosis with minimally invasive esophagectomy

Background

The triangulating stapling (TST) and T-shape stapling (TS) methods have been proposed to decrease the incidence of anastomotic leakage after esophagectomy, but few studies have compared them to the circular stapling technique (CS). This retrospective study aimed to compare the efficacy and safety of three cervical anastomosis methods after esophagectomy.

Methods

Squamous cell carcinoma patients who underwent minimally invasive esophagectomy (MIE) with CS, TST or TS anastomosis between April 2010 and June 2012 were recruited. Their clinical characteristics and short-term outcome were analyzed. Kaplan-Meier analyses compared with log-rank test were used to calculate the effect of the three types of cervical anastomosis on overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS).

Results

The incidence of anastomotic leakage was 21.8% in the CS group, 7.7% in the TS group and 11.9% in the TST group (P=0.029). There were significant differences in the incidence of gastroesophageal reflux among the three groups (P<0.001). Rates of anastomotic stenosis, pulmonary infection, chylothorax and hoarseness were not different among the groups. There were significant differences in anastomotic time, operation time and hospitalization time (all P<0.001), but there was no significant difference in albumin content at 1 month after operation (P=0.226). There was no differences in long-term surgical effects of the three types of anastomosis

Conclusions

Cervical esophagogastric anastomosis by TST or TS can be considered feasible and safe and with improved short-term outcome.

Anastomotic techniques for oesophagectomy for malignancy: systematic review and network meta-analysis

Background

Current evidence on the benefits of different anastomotic techniques (hand‐sewn (HS), circular stapled (CS), triangulating stapled (TS) or linear stapled/semimechanical (LSSM) techniques) after oesophagectomy is conflicting. The aim of this study was to evaluate the evidence for the techniques for oesophagogastric anastomosis and their impact on perioperative outcomes.

Methods

This was a systematic review and network meta‐analysis. PubMed, EMBASE and Cochrane Library databases were searched systematically for randomized and non‐randomized studies reporting techniques for the oesophagogastric anastomosis. Network meta‐analysis of postoperative anastomotic leaks and strictures was performed.

Results

Of 4192 articles screened, 15 randomized and 22 non‐randomized studies comprising 8618 patients were included. LSSM (odds ratio (OR) 0·50, 95 per cent c.i. 0·33 to 0·74; P = 0·001) and CS (OR 0·68, 0·48 to 0·95; P = 0·027) anastomoses were associated with lower anastomotic leak rates than HS anastomoses. LSSM anastomoses were associated with lower stricture rates than HS anastomoses (OR 0·32, 0·19 to 0·54; P < 0·001).

Conclusion

LSSM anastomoses after oesophagectomy are superior with regard to anastomotic leak and stricture rates.

A comparison of cervical delta-shaped anastomosis and circular stapled anastomosis after esophagectomy

Background

The delta-shaped anastomosis has been reported to reduce anastomotic complications for a decade. However, little has been written comparing this technique with the circular stapler technique. The objective of this retrospective study was to assess the safety and efficacy of cervical delta-shaped anastomosis after esophagectomy.

Methods

Medical records of patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma who underwent McKeown (three-incision) esophagectomy between September 2013 and June 2015 were reviewed. Either circular stapled anastomosis (CSA) or delta-shaped anastomosis (DSA) was performed at the cervical stage. The clinical characteristics and short-term outcome were retrospectively assessed to identify the differences between the two groups.

Results

A total of 81 patients were included in this study. The clinical characteristics were similar between the two groups. Cervical anastomotic leakage occurred in 3 (7.7%) of 39 patients in the DSA group and in 8 (19%) of 42 patients in the CSA group (P = 0.197). The average anastomotic orifice width was 16.1 ± 4.9 mm and 11.7 ± 2.2 mm, respectively (P < 0.001). The incidence of anastomotic stenosis was 2.6% (1/39) and 23.5% (10/42) in the DSA and CSA groups, respectively (P = 0.007). There was no significant difference in surgical duration, blood loss, pulmonary complication, postoperative mortality, time of hospitalisation and time of ICU stay between the two groups.

Conclusions

Delta-shaped anastomosis may be an effective alternative method for gastroesophageal anastomosis after esophagectomy, with lower incidence of leakage and stenosis.