Background Anastomotic leakage is associated with increased morbidity and mortality after esophagectomy. Calcification of the arteries supplying the gastric tube has been identified as a risk factor ...for leakage of the cervical anastomosis, but its potential contribution to the risk of intrathoracic anastomotic leakage has not been elucidated. This study evaluated the relationship between calcification and the occurrence of leakage of the intrathoracic anastomosis after Ivor-Lewis esophagectomy. Methods Consecutive patients who underwent minimally invasive esophagectomy for cancer at 2 institutions were analyzed. Diagnostic computed tomography images were used to detect calcification of the arteries supplying the gastric tube (eg, aorta, celiac axis). Multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to determine the relationship between vascular calcification and anastomotic leakage. Results Of 167 included patients, anastomotic leakage occurred in 40 (24%). In univariable analysis, leakage was most frequently observed in patients with calcification of the aorta (major calcification: 37% leakage 16 of 43; minor calcification: 32% 18 of 56; no calcification: 9% 6 of 70, p < 0.001). Calcification of other studied arteries was not significantly associated with leakage. A significant association with leakage remained for minor (odds ratio, 5.4; 95% confidence interval, 1.7 to 16.5) and major (odds ratio, 7.0; 95% confidence interval, 1.9 to 26.4) aortic calcifications in multivariable analysis. Conclusions Atherosclerotic calcification of the aorta is an independent risk factor for leakage of the intrathoracic anastomosis after Ivor-Lewis esophagectomy for cancer. The calcification scoring system may aid in patient selection and lead to earlier diagnosis of this potentially fatal complication.
Background Immediate start of oral intake is beneficial following colorectal surgery. However, following esophagectomy the safety and feasibility of immediate oral intake is unclear, thus these ...patients are still kept nil by mouth. This study therefore aimed to determine the feasibility and safety of oral nutrition immediately after esophagectomy. Methods A multicenter, prospective trial was conducted in 3 referral centers between August 2013 and May 2014, including 50 patients undergoing a minimally invasive esophagectomy. Oral nutrition was started postoperatively immediately (clear liquids on postoperative day POD 0, liquid nutrition on POD 1 to 6, solid food from POD 7). Nonoral enteral nutrition was started when <50% of caloric need was met on postoperative day POD 5 or when oral intake was impossible. A comparison was made with a retrospective cohort (n = 50) with a per-protocol delayed start of oral intake until POD 4 to 7. Results The median caloric intake at POD 5 was 58% of required. In 38% of the patients nonoral nutrition was started, mainly due to complications (36%). The pneumonia rate was 28% following immediate oral intake and 40% following delayed oral intake ( p = 0.202). The aspiration pneumonia rate was 4% in both groups. The anastomotic leakage rate was 14% after immediate oral intake versus 24% following delayed oral intake ( p = 0.202). The 90-day mortality rate was 2% in both groups. Hospital stay and intensive care unit stay were significantly shorter following immediate oral intake. Conclusions Immediate start of oral nutrition following esophagectomy seems to be feasible and does not increase complications compared to a retrospective cohort and literature. However, if complications arise an alternative nutritional route is required. This explorative study shows that a randomized controlled trial is needed.
Background Occasionally incurable cancer is encountered after completion of the thoracic (first) phase of a three-phase esophagectomy. The outcome of aborting the operation at this stage, leaving the ...mobilized thoracic esophagus in situ, is unknown. Methods A multicenter retrospective analysis was performed of patients in whom a completely mobilized thoracic esophagus was left in situ when incurable disease was discovered intraoperatively. The occurrence of esophageal necrosis or perforation, mortality, and all other adverse events were recorded and graded by severity. Results Some 18 patients were included. The median admission time was 9 days. All patients had resumed oral intake at discharge, except for 1 patient who was fed through a nasojejunal tube. After the operation, the median overall survival was 2.9 months. Postoperatively, 7 patients (39%) experienced major surgical adverse events, and 11 patients (61%) had no or only minor adverse events. Major adverse events were associated with the patient’s death in 6 patients (33%), within 5 to 34 days postoperatively. Esophageal perforation or ischemia developed in 4 patients (22%) and 1 patient (6%), respectively. No predictive factors could be identified. Conclusions Leaving a completely mobilized thoracic esophagus in situ when incurable cancer was discovered intraoperatively was a successful strategy in more than half of the patients. However, one third experienced major adverse events leading to mortality.