Early postoperative systemic inflammatory response as predictor of anastomotic leakage after esophagectomy: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Postesophagectomy anastomotic leakage occurs in up to 16% of patients and is the main cause of morbidity and mortality. The leak severity is determined by the extent of contamination and the degree of sepsis, both of which are related to the time from onset to treatment. Early prediction based on inflammatory biomarkers such as C-reactive protein (CRP) levels, white blood cell counts, albumin levels, and combined Noble-Underwood (NUn) scores can guide early management. This review aimed to determine the diagnostic accuracy of these biomarkers.

METHODS

This study was designed according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines and registered in the PROSPERO (International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews) database. Two reviewers independently conducted searches across PubMed, MEDLINE, Web of Science, and Embase. Sources of bias were assessed, and a meta-analysis was performed.

RESULTS

Data from 5348 patients were analyzed, and 13% experienced leakage. The diagnostic accuracy of the serum biomarkers was analyzed, and pooled cutoff values were identified. CRP levels were found to have good diagnostic accuracy on days 2 to 5. The best discrimination was identified on day 2 for a cutoff value < 222 mg/L (area under the curve = 0.824, sensitivity = 81%, specificity = 88%, positive predictive value = 38.6%, and negative predictive value = 98%). A NUn score of >10 on day 4 correlated with poor diagnostic accuracy.

CONCLUSION

The NUn score failed to achieve adequate accuracy. CRP seems to be the only valuable biomarker and is a negative predictor of postesophagectomy leakage. Patients with a CRP concentration of <222 mg/L on day 2 are unlikely to develop a leak, and patients can safely proceed through their enhanced recovery after surgery protocol. Patients with a CRP concentration of <127 mg/L on day 5 can be safely discharged when clinically possible.

Outcomes after Surgical Treatment of Oesophagogastric Cancer with Synchronous Liver Metastases: A Multicentre Retrospective Cohort Study

Approximately 10-12% of patients with oesophageal or gastric cancer (OGC) present with oligometastatic disease at diagnosis. It remains unclear if there is a role for radical surgery in these patients. We aimed to assess the outcomes of OGC patients who underwent simultaneous treatment for the primary tumour and synchronous liver metastases. Patients with OGC who underwent surgical treatment between 2008 and 2020 for the primary tumour and up to five synchronous liver metastases aiming for complete tumour removal or ablation (i.e., no residual tumour) were identified from four institutional databases. The primary outcome was overall survival (OS), calculated with the Kaplan-Meier method. Secondary outcomes were disease-free survival and postoperative outcomes. Thirty-one patients were included, with complete follow-up data for 30 patients. Twenty-six patients (84%) received neoadjuvant therapy followed by response evaluation. Median OS was 21 months [IQR 9-36] with 2- and 5-year survival rates of 43% and 30%, respectively. While disease recurred in 80% of patients (20 of 25 patients) after radical resection, patients with a solitary liver metastasis had a median OS of 34 months. The number of liver metastases was a prognostic factor for OS (solitary metastasis aHR 0.330; p-value = 0.025). Thirty-day mortality was zero and complications occurred in 55% of patients. Long-term survival can be achieved in well-selected patients who undergo surgical resection of the primary tumour and local treatment of synchronous liver metastases. In particular, patients with a solitary liver metastasis seem to have a favourable prognosis.

Systemic Inflammatory Response and the Noble and Underwood (NUn) Score as Early Predictors of Anastomotic Leakage after Esophageal Reconstructive Surgery

Anastomotic leakage (AL) remains the main cause of post-esophagectomy morbidity and mortality. Early detection can avoid sepsis and reduce morbidity and mortality. This study evaluates the diagnostic accuracy of the Nun score and its components as early detectors of AL. This single-center observational cohort study included all esophagectomies from 2010 to 2020. C-reactive protein (CRP), albumin (Alb), and white cell count (WCC) were analyzed and NUn scores were calculated. The area under the curve statistic (AUC) was used to assess their predictive accuracy. A total of 74 of the 668 patients (11%) developed an AL. CRP and the NUn-score proved to be good diagnostic accuracy tests on postoperative day (POD) 2 (CRP AUC: 0.859; NUn score AUC: 0.869) and POD 4 (CRP AUC: 0.924; NUn score AUC: 0.948). A 182 mg/L CRP cut-off on POD 4 yielded a 87% sensitivity, 88% specificity, a negative predictive value (NPV) of 98%, and a positive predictive value (PPV) of 47.7%. A NUn score cut-off > 10 resulted in 92% sensitivity, 95% specificity, 99% NPV, and 68% PPV. Albumin and WCC have limited value in the detection of post-esophagectomy AL. Elevated CRP and a high NUn score on POD 4 provide high accuracy in predicting AL after esophageal cancer surgery. Their high negative predictive value allows to select patients who can safely proceed with enhanced recovery protocols.

Practice variation in anastomotic leak after esophagectomy: Unravelling differences in failure to rescue

INTRODUCTION

Failure to rescue (FTR) is an important outcome measure after esophagectomy and reflects mortality after postoperative complications. Differences in FTR have been associated with hospital resection volume. However, insight into how centers manage complications and achieve their outcomes is lacking. Anastomotic leak (AL) is a main contributor to FTR. This study aimed to assess differences in FTR after AL between centers, and to identify factors that explain these differences.

METHODS

TENTACLE - Esophagus is a multicenter, retrospective cohort study, which included 1509 patients with AL after esophagectomy. Differences in FTR were assessed between low-volume (<20 resections), middle-volume (20-60 resections) and high-volume centers (≥60 resections). Mediation analysis was performed using logistic regression, including possible mediators for FTR: case-mix, hospital resources, leak severity and treatment.

RESULTS

FTR after AL was 11.7%. After adjustment for confounders, FTR was lower in high-volume vs. low-volume (OR 0.44, 95%CI 0.2-0.8), but not versus middle-volume centers (OR 0.67, 95%CI 0.5-1.0). After mediation analysis, differences in FTR were found to be explained by lower leak severity, lower secondary ICU readmission rate and higher availability of therapeutic modalities in high-volume centers. No statistically significant direct effect of hospital volume was found: high-volume vs. low-volume 0.86 (95%CI 0.4-1.7), high-volume vs. middle-volume OR 0.86 (95%CI 0.5-1.4).

CONCLUSION

Lower FTR in high-volume compared with low-volume centers was explained by lower leak severity, less secondary ICU readmissions and higher availability of therapeutic modalities. To reduce FTR after AL, future studies should investigate effective strategies to reduce leak severity and prevent secondary ICU readmission.

A Population-Based Study Using Belgian Cancer Registry Data Supports Centralization of Esophageal Cancer Surgery in Belgium

BACKGROUND

Esophageal cancer surgery outcomes benefit from higher hospital volumes. Despite the evidence, organization of national health care often is complex and depends on various factors. The volume-outcome results of this population-based study supported national health policy measures regarding concentration of esophageal resections in Belgium.

METHODS

The Belgian Cancer Registry (BCR) database was linked to administrative data on cancer treatment. All Belgian patients with newly diagnosed esophageal cancer in 2008-2018 undergoing resection were allocated to the hospital at which surgery was performed. The study assessed hospital volume association with 90-day mortality and 5-year overall survival, classifying average annual hospital volume of resections as low (LV, <6), medium (MV, 6-19), or high (HV, ≥20) and as a continuous covariate in the regression models.

RESULTS

The study included 4156 patients who had surgery in 79 hospitals (2 HV hospitals [37% of all surgeries], 12 MV hospitals [30% of all surgeries], and 65 LV hospitals [33% of all surgeries]). Adjusted 90-day mortality in HV hospitals was lower than in LV hospitals (odds ratio [OR], 0.37; 95% CI, 0.21-0.65; p = 0.001). Case-mix adjusted 5-year survival was superior in HV versus LV (hazard ratio [HR], 0.43; 95% CI, 0.31-0.60; p < 0.001). The continuous model demonstrated a lower 90-day mortality (OR, 0.40; 95% CI, 0.23-0.71; p = 0.002) and a superior 5-year survival (HR, 0.45; 95% CI, 0.33-0.63; p < 0.001) in hospitals with volumes of 40 or more resections annually.

CONCLUSION

Population-based data from the BCR confirmed a strong volume-outcome association for esophageal resections. Improved 5-year survival in centers with annual volumes of 20 or more resections was driven mainly by the achievement of superior 90-day mortality. These findings supported centralization of esophageal resections in Belgium.

Quality of Life after Minimally Invasive Esophagectomy: A Cross-Sectional Study

INTRODUCTION

Surgery remains essential in the curative treatment of esophageal cancer (EC), but it is known for its high morbidity and impaired health-related QoL. Minimally invasive esophagectomy (MIE) was introduced to reduce surgical trauma and improve QoL.

METHODS

This cross-sectional study aimed to evaluate long-term HRQoL after MIE in comparison with the general population. HRQoL assessment was based on three questionnaires: the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) Core 30 (QLQ-C30, version 3), the EORTC QLQ Oesophago Gastric 25 (QLQ-OG25), and the Supportive Care Needs Survey-Short Form 34 (SCNS-SF34). Results were compared to a healthy reference population.

RESULTS

One hundred and forty eligible MIE patients were identified, of whom met the inclusion criteria, and 49 completed all questionnaires. Patients reported a significantly better mean score on the global health status and QoL than the healthy reference population (71.5 ± 15.1 vs. 66.1 ± 21.7; p = 0.016). However, patients scored significantly worse about functioning (physical, role, and social) (p < 0.05), fatigue (p = 0.021), eating, dysphagia, pain and discomfort, reflux, appetite loss, weight loss, coughing, and taste (p < 0.001).

DISCUSSION/CONCLUSION

EC survivors can reach a high global health status and QoL at least 1 year after MIE, despite long-term functional, nutritional, and gastrointestinal complaints. Patients provided written informed consent, and the study protocol was approved by the Ethics Committee of Ghent University Hospital (identifier: ID B670201940737).

Clinical utility of near-infrared perfusion assessment of the gastric tube during Ivor Lewis esophagectomy

BACKGROUND

Anastomotic leakage (AL) after Ivor Lewis esophagectomy with intrathoracic anastomosis carries a significant morbidity. Adequate perfusion of the gastric tube (GT) is an important predictor of anastomotic integrity. Recently, near infrared fluorescent (NIRF) imaging using indocyanine green (ICG) was introduced in clinical practice to evaluate tissue perfusion. We evaluated the feasibility and efficacy of GT indocyanine green angiography (ICGA) after Ivor Lewis esophagectomy.

METHODS

This retrospective analysis used data from a prospectively kept database of consecutive patients who underwent Ivor Lewis (IL) esophagectomy with GT construction for cancer between January 2016 and December 2020. Relevant outcomes were feasibility, ICGA complications and the impact of ICGA on AL.

RESULTS

266 consecutive IL patients were identified who matched the inclusion criteria. The 115 patients operated with perioperative ICGA were compared to a control group in whom surgery was performed according to the standard of care. ICGA perfusion assessment was feasible and safe in all 115 procedures and suggested a poorly perfused tip in 56/115 (48.7%) cases, for which additional resection was performed. The overall AL rate was 16% (43/266), with 12% (33/266) needing an endoscopic our surgical intervention and 6% (17/266) needing ICU support. In univariable and multivariable analyses, ICGA was not correlated with the risk of AL (ICGA:14.8% vs non-ICGA:17.2%, p = 0.62). However, poor ICGA perfusion of the GT predicted a higher AL rate, despite additional resection of the tip (ICGA poorly perfused: 19.6% vs ICG well perfused: 10.2%, p = 0.19).

CONCLUSIONS

ICGA is safe and feasible, but did not result in a reduction of AL. The interpretation and necessary action in case of perioperative presence of ischemia on ICGA have yet to be determined. Prospective randomized trials are warranted to analyze its benefit on AL in esophageal surgery. Trial registration Ethical approval for a prospective esophageal surgery database was granted by the Ethical committee of the Ghent University Hospital. Belgian registration number: B670201111232. Ethical approval for this retrospective data analysis was granted by our institutional EC. Registration number: BC-09216.

Technique of open and minimally invasive intrathoracic reconstruction following esophagectomy-an expert consensus based on a modified Delphi process

BACKGROUND

In recent years, minimally invasive Ivor Lewis (IL) esophagectomy with high intrathoracic anastomosis has emerged as surgical standard of care for esophageal cancer in expert centers. Alongside this process, many divergent technical aspects of this procedure have been devised in different centers. This study aims at achieving international consensus on the surgical steps of IL reconstruction using Delphi methodology.

METHODS

The expert panel consisted of specialized esophageal surgeons from 8 European countries. During a two-round Delphi process, a detailed analysis and consensus on key steps of intrathoracic gastric tube reconstruction (IL esophagectomy) was performed.

RESULTS

Response rates in Delphi rounds 1 and 2 were 100% (22 of 22 experts) and 83.3% (20 of 24 experts), respectively. Three essential technical areas of intrathoracic gastric tube reconstruction were identified: first, vascularization of the gastric conduit, second, gastric mobilization, tube formation and pull-up, and third, anastomotic technique. In addition, 3 main techniques for minimally invasive intrathoracic anastomosis are currently practiced: (i) end-to-side circular stapled, (ii) end-to-side double stapling, and (iii) side-to-side linear stapled technique. The step-by-step procedural analysis unveiled common approaches but also different expert practice.

CONCLUSION

This precise technical description may serve as a clinical guideline for intrathoracic reconstruction after esophagectomy. In addition, the results may aid to harmonize the technical evolution of this complex surgical procedure and thereby facilitate surgical training.

Radiation dose and pathological response in oesophageal cancer patients treated with neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy followed by surgery: a multi-institutional analysis

Purpose: To explore whether a higher neoadjuvant radiation dose increases the probability of a pathological complete response (pCR) or pathological major response (pMR) response in oesophageal cancer patients. Material and methods: Between 2000 and 2017, 1048 patients from four institutions were stratified according to prescribed neoadjuvant radiation doses of 36.0 Gy (13.3%), 40.0 Gy (7.4%), 41.4 Gy (20.1%), 45.0 Gy (25.5%) or 50.4 Gy (33.7%) in 1.8-2.0 Gy fractions. Endpoints were pCR (tumour regression grade (TRG) 1) and pMR (TRG 1 + 2). Multivariable binary (TRG 1 + 2 vs. TRG > 2) and ordinal (TRG 1 vs. TRG 2 vs. TRG > 2) logistic regression analyses were performed, with subgroup analyses according to histology (squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) vs. adenocarcinoma (AC)). Variables entered in the regression model along with neoadjuvant radiation dose were clinical tumour stage (cT), histology, chemotherapy regimen, induction chemotherapy and time from neoadjuvant chemoradiation to surgery. Results: A pCR was observed in 312 patients (29.8%); in 22.7% patients with AC and in 49.6% patients with SCC. No radiation dose-response relation was observed for pCR (OR = 1.01, 95% CI: 0.98-1.05 for AC and OR = 1.03, 95% CI: 0.96-1.10 for SCC). A pMR was observed in 597 patients (57.0%); in 53.4% patients with AC and in 67.2% patients with SCC. A higher radiation dose increased the probability of achieving pMR (OR = 1.04, 95% CI: 1.02-1.05). Factors reducing this probability were advanced cT stage (reference = cT1-2; cT3: OR = 0.54, 95% CI: 0.37-0.80; cT4: OR = 0.45, 95% CI: 0.24-0.84), AC histology (reference = SCC; OR = 0.62, 95% CI: 0.44-0.88), the use of non-platinum based chemotherapy in SCC patients (OR = 0.30, 95% CI: 0.10-0.91) and platinum based chemotherapy without induction chemotherapy in patients with AC (OR = 0.56, 95% CI: 0.42-0.76). The radiation dose-response relation was confirmed in a subgroup analysis of histologic subtypes (OR = 1.02, 95% CI: 1.01-1.04 for AC and OR = 1.05, 95% CI: 1.02-1.08 for SCC). Conclusions: Neoadjuvant radiation dose impacts pathological response in terms of pMR in oesophageal cancer patients. No radiation dose-response effect was observed for pCR. Further prospective trials are needed to investigate the dose-response relation in terms of pCR.

Quality of life of patients with a colonic interposition postoesophagectomy

OBJECTIVES

After oesophagectomy, stomach grafts are most frequently used to restore intestinal continuity. Less frequently, a colonic graft is used. There is quite a large body of literature addressing the functional outcome after gastric pull-up, but little is known about the functional results of colonic interposition (CI). The aim of this study was to assess the short-term outcomes and the long-term quality of life and function of the CI postoesophagectomy.

METHODS

Between 2002 and 2016, we retrospectively collected data on 80 patients with CI from personal health records at the Ghent University hospital. We prospectively compared the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) QLQ-C30, EORTC QLQ-OG25 and Swallowing Quality of Life (SWAL-QOL) questionnaire scores to the healthy reference group and the gastric tube (GT) group.

RESULTS

The 30-day mortality rate was 5%. Anastomotic leakage occurred in 37.5% and stenosis in 20% of the patients. The median overall survival of all patients was 33.9 months (95% confidence interval 8.3-59.4). The mean general health score of the CI patients was less than the healthy reference group but comparable to the GT group (CI = 62.1 vs healthy reference group = 71.2 vs GT = 60). Fifty percent of the patients reported their health as good and 15% as very good. The mean functional results with a CI were better than with a GT. Compared to GT patients, CI patients had less dyspnoea, reflux and dysphagia, but they reported more food selection, diarrhoea and weight loss.

CONCLUSIONS

Despite the high complication rate, the severity of the disease and the demanding operation, patients perceived themselves as being in good health and reported very good long-term functionality after CI.

CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

B670201630635.

Near-infrared fluorescence guided esophageal reconstructive surgery: A systematic review

BACKGROUND

After an esophagectomy, the stomach is most commonly used to restore continuity of the upper gastrointestinal tract. These esophago-gastric anastomoses are prone to serious complications such as leakage associated with high morbidity and mortality. Graft perfusion is considered to be an important predictor for anastomotic integrity. Based on the current literature we believe Indocyanine green fluorescence angiography (ICGA) is an easy assessment tool for gastric tube (GT) perfusion, and it might predict anastomotic leakage (AL).

AIM

To evaluate feasibility and effectiveness of ICGA in GT perfusion assessment and as a predictor of AL.

METHODS

This study was designed according to the PRISMA guidelines and registered in the PROSPERO database. PubMed and EMBASE were independently searched by 2 reviewers for studies presenting data on intraoperative ICGA GT perfusion assessment during esophago-gastric reconstruction after esophagectomy. Relevant outcomes such as feasibility, complications, intraoperative surgical changes based on ICGA findings, quantification attempts, anatomical data and the impact of ICGA on postoperative anastomotic complications, were collected by 2 independent researchers. The quality of the included articles was assessed based on the Methodological Index for Non-Randomized Studies. The 19 included studies presented data on 1192 esophagectomy patients, in 758 patients ICGA was used perioperative to guide esophageal reconstruction.

RESULTS

The 19 included studies for qualitative analyses all described ICGA as a safe and easy method to evaluate gastric graft perfusion. AL occurred in 13.8% of the entire cohort, 10% in the ICG guided group and 20.6% in the control group (P < 0.001). When poorly perfused cases are excluded from the analyses, the difference in AL was even larger (AL well-perfused group 6.3% vs control group 20.5%, P < 0.001). The AL rate in the group with an altered surgical plan based on the ICG image was 6.5%, similar to the well perfused group (6.3%) and significantly less than the poorly perfused group (47.8%) (P < 0.001), suggesting that the technique is able to identify and alter a potential bad outcome.

CONCLUSION

ICGA is a safe, feasible and promising method for perfusion assessment. The lower AL rate in the well perfused group suggest that a good fluorescent signal predicts a good outcome.

Articulated Instruments and 3D Visualization: A Synergy? Evaluation of Execution Time, Errors, and Visual Fatigue

Objective. The introduction of advanced endoscopic systems, such as the Storz Image1S and the Olympus Endoeye, heralds a new era of 3-dimensional (3D) visualization. The aim of this report is to provide a comprehensive overview of the neurophysiology of 3D view, its relevance in videoscopy, and to quantify the benefit of the new 3D technologies for both rigid and articulated instruments. Method. Sixteen medical students without any laparoscopic experience were trained each for a total of 27 hours. Proficiency scores were determined for rigid and articulated instruments under 2D and 3D visualization conditions. Results. A reduction in execution time of 14%, 28%, and 36% was seen for the rigid instruments, the da Vinci, and Steerable instruments, respectively. A reduction in errors of 84%, 92%, and 87% was seen for the rigid instruments, the da Vinci, and Steerable instruments, respectively. Conclusion. 3D visualization greatly augments endoscopic procedures. The advanced endoscopic systems employed in the recent study caused no visual fatigue or discomfort. The benefit of 3D was most distinct with articulated instruments.

Adipose-Derived Mesenchymal Stromal Cells Improve the Healing of Colonic Anastomoses Following High Dose of Irradiation Through Anti-Inflammatory and Angiogenic Processes

Cancer patients treated with radiotherapy (RT) could develop severe late side effects that affect their quality of life. Long-term bowel complications after RT are mainly characterized by a transmural fibrosis that could lead to intestinal obstruction. Today, surgical resection is the only effective treatment. However, preoperative RT increases the risk of anastomotic leakage. In this study, we attempted to use mesenchymal stromal cells from adipose tissue (Ad-MSCs) to improve colonic anastomosis after high-dose irradiation. MSCs were isolated from the subcutaneous fat of rats, amplified in vitro, and characterized by flow cytometry. An animal model of late radiation side effects was induced by local irradiation of the colon. Colonic anastomosis was performed 4 wk after irradiation. It was analyzed another 4 wk later (i.e., 8 wk after irradiation). The Ad-MSC-treated group received injections several times before and after the surgical procedure. The therapeutic benefit of the Ad-MSC treatment was determined by colonoscopy and histology. The inflammatory process was investigated using Fluorine-182-Fluoro-2-Deoxy-d-Glucose Positron Emission Tomography and Computed Tomography (¹⁸F-FDG-PET/CT) imaging and macrophage infiltrate analyses. Vascular density was assessed using immunohistochemistry. Results show that Ad-MSC treatment reduces ulcer size, increases mucosal vascular density, and limits hemorrhage. We also determined that 1 Ad-MSC injection limits the inflammatory process, as evaluated through ¹⁸F-FDG-PET-CT (at 4 wk), with a greater proportion of type 2 macrophages after iterative cell injections (8 wk). In conclusion, Ad-MSC injections promote anastomotic healing in an irradiated colon through enhanced vessel formation and reduced inflammation. This study also determined parameters that could be improved in further investigations.

Assessment of graft perfusion and oxygenation for improved outcome in esophageal cancer surgery: Protocol for a single-center prospective observational study

INTRODUCTION

The main cause of anastomotic leakage (AL) is tissue hypoxia, which results from impaired perfusion of the pedicle stomach graft after esophageal reconstruction. Clinical judgment is unreliable in determining graft perfusion. Therefore, an objective, validated, and reproducible method is urgently needed. Near infrared fluorescence perfusion imaging using indocyanine green (ICG) is an emerging and promising modality. This study's objectives are to evaluate the feasibility of quantification of ICG angiography (ICGA) to assess graft perfusion and to validate ICGA by comparison with hemodynamic parameters, blood and tissue expression of hypoxia-induced markers, and tissue mitochondrial respiration rates. And, second, to evaluate its ability to predict AL in patients after minimally invasive esophagectomy (MIE).

METHODS

Patients (N = 70) with resectable esophageal cancer will be recruited for standard MIE. ICGA will be performed after graft creation and thoracic pull-up. Dynamic digital images will be obtained starting after intravenous bolus administration of ICG. The resulting images will be subjected to curve analysis and to compartmental analysis based on the adiabatic approximation to tissue homogeneity kinetic model. The calculated perfusion parameters will be compared to intraoperative hemodynamic data to evaluate the effects of patient hemodynamics. To verify whether graft perfusion represents tissue oxygenation, ICGA perfusion parameters will be compared with systemic and serosa lactate from the stomach graft. In addition, perfusion parameters will be compared to tissue expression of hypoxia-related markers and mitochondrial chain respiratory rate. Finally, the ability of functional, histological, and cellular perfusion and oxygenation parameters to predict AL and postoperative morbidity in general will be evaluated using the appropriate univariate and multivariate statistical analyses.

DISCUSSION

The results of this project may lead to a novel, reproducible, and minimally invasive method to objectively assess perioperative anastomotic perfusion during MIE, potentially reducing the incidence of AL and its associated severe morbidity and mortality.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

Clinicaltrials.gov registration number is NCT03587532. The study was approved by the ethical committee of the Ghent University, Belgium (B670201836427).

Long-term survival after multimodality therapy including surgery for metastatic esophageal cancer

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

Esophageal cancer (EC) remains an aggressive disease with a poor survival. Management of metastatic EC is limited to palliative chemotherapy (CT). Scientific contributions regarding the role of surgery are scarce and controversial. We analysed outcome of surgically treated metastatic EC patients.

METHODS

We retrospectively identified surgically treated metastatic EC patients from our esophagectomy database. The aim of this study was to evaluate surgical complications, pathological response, oncological outcome and mean survival of these aggressively treated stage IV cancer patients.

RESULTS

Twelve stage IV patients with disease presentation limited to outfield lymph node (LN) and/or liver metastasis were treated with an aggressive multimodality treatment including surgery. Mean age was 58 years (75% male, 75% Adenocarcinomas). Median postoperative hospital stay was 15 d. Radiological anastomotic leakage occurred in one patient. In hospital, mortality was nil. Complete resection was achieved in all but one. Metastatic recurrence occurred in 64% of R0 resected patients. At date of censoring, after a median follow-up of 22 months, 50% of the surgical resected patients are still alive and 33% are free of disease recurrence. Kaplan-Meier curves show a possibility to long-term survival after aggressive multimodality therapy including surgery.

CONCLUSIONS

In selected metastatic EC patients, multimodality treatment including surgery has an acceptable surgical outcome with a potentially long-term survival.

Effect of abdominopelvic sepsis on cancer outcome in patients undergoing sphincter saving surgery for rectal cancer

BACKGROUND

In rectal cancer, the significance of abdominopelvic sepsis (APS) on metastatic tumor growth remains uncertain. We aimed to analyze the effect of abdominopelvic sepsis on long-term survival in patients undergoing restorative rectal cancer surgery.

METHODS

Data were used from the Belgian PROCARE rectal cancer registry. The effect of abdominopelvic infection on survival was assessed in uni- and multivariable Cox regression models. The effect of clinical and pathological covariates was controlled by propensity score-based matching of cases with controls. The effect of abdominopelvic sepsis on the rate of local and metastatic recurrence was evaluated using crosstabulation and the Pearson χ² test.

RESULTS

In univariable analysis, the presence of APS was associated with significantly worse overall survival (HR 1.3, P = 0.025). After propensity score matching including age, BMI, tumor level, pTstage, pN stage, CRM, tumor grade, number of lymph nodes, and presence of lymphovascular invasion, the association of APS with OS was no longer significant (HR 1.26, 95%CI 0.92-1.74, P = 0.15). No differences were observed in the risk of local or metastatic recurrence (3.6% vs 2.9% and 13% vs 16.5%).

CONCLUSIONS

In this analysis APS after rectal cancer resection was not significantly associated with OS, metastatic, or local recurrence.

Functional outcome after Ivor Lewis esophagectomy for cancer

BACKGROUND

Little is known on functional outcome after Ivor Lewis esophagectomy (ILE) with intrathoracic anastomosis.

METHODS

Patients who underwent ILE were identified from a prospective database. Clinicopathological data were retrieved and compared with functional outcome data based on patient self-assessment by a standard questionnaire. Predictive factors for selected functional complaints were identified with logistic regression analyses.

RESULTS

Three hundred and twenty-two patients (80.4% male, mean age 62 years) were studied. Indications for surgery were adenocarcinoma (62.4%), squamous cell carcinoma (28%), and HG Barrett dysplasia (7%). Preoperative chemoradiation (CRT) was administered to 42.5% of patients. Anastomotic leakage occurred in 5.6% and was associated with higher age and diabetes mellitus. Functional symptoms identified were reflux (39%), delayed gastric emptying (37%), dumping (21.4%), and anastomotic stenosis (16%). In the multivariate models, anastomotic stenosis was associated with smaller stapler diameter and presence of esophagitis. Postoperative reflux was associated with higher BMI, whereas dumping was predicted by female gender and age. The quality of life questionnaires revealed a good general health status in 82% of the patients.

CONCLUSIONS

Functional complaints after ILE consist of reflux, delayed gastric emptying, dumping, and dysphagia, and are affected by age, gender, BMI, diabetes mellitus, and stapler diameter.

Risk factors and consequences of anastomotic leakage after Ivor Lewis oesophagectomy†

OBJECTIVES

Oesophageal carcinoma (EC) remains an aggressive disease. Despite extensive changes in therapeutic modalities, surgical resection remains the first choice therapy for curable oesophageal cancer patients. Anastomotic sites are prone to serious complications such as leakage, fistula, bleeding and stricture. Leakage of the anastomosis (AL) remains one of the main causes of postoperative morbidity and mortality. The purpose of this study was to identify predictors associated with postoperative leakage after Ivor Lewis oesophagectomy and its consequences in a single centre.

METHODS

We performed a retrospective analysis of 412 Ivor Lewis oesophageal resections in a single institute between 2005 and 2014. Univariable and multivariable logistic regression have been used to identify predictors of AL and its impact on postoperative outcome and overall survival. Kaplan-Meier curve was used to analyse overall survival and log-rank analysis to determine odds ratio.

RESULTS

A total of 412 patients were evaluated. Mean age was 62 ± 11 years (77% male). Overall leak rate was 2.9%. In-hospital or 30-day mortality was 4.4%. Mean intensive care unit (ICU) stay was 1 day and mean hospital stay was 19 days. A history of renal failure, diabetes, higher American Society of Anaesthesiologists score and current cigarette and corticosteroid use were identified as predictors of AL on univariable analysis. Multivariable analysis identified active smoking [P = 0.05, odds ratio (OR) 4.34, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.98-19.28] and active corticosteroid use (P < 0.001, OR 15.8, 95% CI: 3.25-76.7) as independent significant predictors. A history of diabetes tended to be associated with a higher leakage rate but failed to reach statistical significance. AL was associated with a longer ICU and hospital stay and a significantly higher mortality (42% in the AL group vs 3% in the control group, P < 0.0001).

CONCLUSIONS

Anastomotic leakage after oesophagectomy is a major cause of postoperative morbidity and mortality. Identifying risk factors preoperatively can contribute to the prevention of postoperative complications.