Cardiorespiratory comorbidity and postoperative complications following esophagectomy: a European multicenter cohort study

BACKGROUND: The impact of cardiorespiratory comorbidity on operative outcomes after esophagectomy remains controversial. This study investigated the effect of cardiorespiratory comorbidity on postoperative complications for patients treated for esophageal or gastroesophageal junction cancer. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A European multicenter cohort study from five high-volume esophageal cancer centers including patients treated between 2010 and 2017 was conducted. The effect of cardiorespiratory comorbidity and respiratory function upon postoperative outcomes was assessed. RESULTS: In total 1590 patients from five centers were included; 274 (17.2%) had respiratory comorbidity, and 468 (29.4%) had cardiac comorbidity. Respiratory comorbidity was associated with increased risk of overall postoperative complications, anastomotic leak, pulmonary complications, pneumonia, increased Clavien-Dindo score, and critical care and hospital length of stay. After neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy, respiratory comorbidity was associated with increased risk of anastomotic leak [odds ratio (OR) 1.83, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.11-3.04], pneumonia (OR 1.65, 95% CI 1.10-2.47), and any pulmonary complication (OR 1.52, 95% CI 1.04-2.22), an effect which was not observed following neoadjuvant chemotherapy or surgery alone. Cardiac comorbidity was associated with increased risk of cardiovascular and pulmonary complications, respiratory failure, and Clavien-Dindo score ≥ IIIa. Among all patients, forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1)/forced vital capacity (FVC) ratio > 70% was associated with reduced risk of overall postoperative complications, cardiovascular complications, atrial fibrillation, pulmonary complications, and pneumonia. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study suggest that cardiorespiratory comorbidity and impaired pulmonary function are associated with increased risk of postoperative complications after esophagectomy performed in high-volume European centers. Given the observed interaction with neoadjuvant approach, these data indicate a potentially modifiable index of perioperative risk

Surgery for fistula-in-ano in a specialist colorectal unit: a critical appraisal

ABSTRACT

The Current State of Robot-Assisted Minimally Invasive Esophagectomy (RAMIE): Outcomes from the Upper GI International Robotic Association (UGIRA) Esophageal Registry

\ua9 The Author(s) 2024.Background: Robot-assisted minimally invasive esophagectomy (RAMIE) is increasingly adopted in centers worldwide, with ongoing refinements to enhance results. This study aims to assess the current state of RAMIE worldwide and to identify potential areas for improvement. Methods: This descriptive study analyzed prospective data from esophageal cancer patients who underwent transthoracic RAMIE in Upper GI International Robotic Association (UGIRA) centers. Main endpoints included textbook outcome rate, surgical techniques, and perioperative outcomes. Analyses were performed separately for intrathoracic (Ivor–Lewis) and cervical anastomosis (McKeown), divided into three time cohorts (2016–2018, 2019–2020, 2021–2023). A sensitivity analysis was conducted with cases after the learning curve (> 70 cases). Results: Across 28 UGIRA centers, 2012 Ivor–Lewis and 1180 McKeown procedures were performed. Over the time cohorts, textbook outcome rates were 39%, 48%, and 49% for Ivor–Lewis, and 49%, 63%, and 61% for McKeown procedures, respectively. Fully robotic procedures accounted for 66%, 51%, and 60% of Ivor–Lewis procedures, and 53%, 81%, and 66% of McKeown procedures. Lymph node yield showed 27, 30, and 30 nodes in Ivor–Lewis procedures, and 26, 26, and 34 nodes in McKeown procedures. Furthermore, high mediastinal lymphadenectomy was performed in 65%, 43%, and 37%, and 70%, 48%, and 64% of Ivor–Lewis and McKeown procedures, respectively. Anastomotic leakage rates were 22%, 22%, and 16% in Ivor–Lewis cases, and 14%, 12%, and 11% in McKeown cases. Hospital stay was 13, 14, and 13 days for Ivor–Lewis procedures, and 12, 9, and 11 days for McKeown procedures. In Ivor–Lewis and McKeown, respectively, the sensitivity analysis revealed textbook outcome rates of 43%, 54%, and 51%, and 47%, 64%, and 64%; anastomotic leakage rates of 28%, 18%, and 15%, and 13%, 11%, and 10%; and hospital stay of 11, 12, and 12 days, and 10, 9, and 9 days. Conclusions: This study demonstrates favorable outcomes over time in achieving textbook outcome after RAMIE. Areas for improvement include a reduction of anastomotic leakage and shortening of hospital stay

Anastomotic leakage following robot-assisted minimally invasive esophagectomy (RAMIE): which anastomosis should be preferred?

\ua9 The Author(s) 2025.Background: The optimal technique for intrathoracic esophagogastric anastomosis in esophagectomy remains undetermined. This study evaluates different anastomotic techniques in robot-assisted minimally invasive esophagectomy (RAMIE) and their impact on anastomotic leakage rates. Materials and Methods: This observational, retrospective, comparative cohort study analyzed data obtained from the Upper GI International Robotic Association (UGIRA) Esophageal Registry. All consecutive patients with a histologically proven esophageal malignancy who underwent RAMIE with intrathoracic esophagogastrostomy were included. The anastomotic technique was performed based on the clinical judgement and expertise of each individual surgeon. For comparison, the four most common techniques were included: circular end-to-side, linear side-to-side, handsewn end-to-side, and handsewn end-to-end. The primary endpoint of this study was the occurrence of anastomotic leakage, defined by the Esophagectomy Complications Consensus Group as a full-thickness gastrointestinal defect involving the esophagus, anastomosis, staple line, or conduit, regardless of its presentation or method of identification. Results: Between 2016 and September 2023, 1518 patients were included. Univariable analysis demonstrated that the linear stapled side-to-side anastomosis was associated with the lowest anastomotic leakage rate (14.0%), while the handsewn end-to-end anastomosis had the highest (32.8%) (p < 0.001). The anastomotic leakage rates for circular end-to-side and handsewn end-to-side anastomoses were 19.4% and 26.9%, respectively. Multivariable analysis confirmed that anastomotic technique was independently associated with anastomotic leakage. Specifically, handsewn anastomoses were associated with a higher risk of anastomotic leakage for both end-to-side (OR 1.675, 95% CI 1.195–2.348, p = 0.003) and end-to-end (OR 2.181, 95% CI 1.403–3.390, p < 0.001) techniques compared to circular end-to-side anastomoses. Conclusions: In RAMIE, linear side-to-side and circular end-to-side stapled anastomoses are associated with lower anastomotic leakage rates compared to handsewn techniques. While acknowledging the multifactorial complexity of anastomotic leakage, these findings favor the use of mechanical stapling in clinical practice

A Propensity Score-Matched Cohort Study to Evaluate the Association of Lymph Node Retrieval with Long-Term Overall Survival in Patients with Esophageal Cancer

Background: Previous studies evaluating the association of lymph node (LN) yield and survival presented conflicting results and many may be influenced by confounding and stage migration. Objective: This study aimed to evaluate whether the quality indicator ‘retrieval of at least 15 LNs’ is associated with better long-term survival and more accurate pathological staging in patients with esophageal cancer treated with neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy and resection. Methods: Data of esophageal cancer patients who underwent neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy and surgery between 2011 and 2016 were retrieved from the Dutch Upper Gastrointestinal Cancer Audit. Patients with < 15 and ≥ 15 LNs were compared after propensity score matching based on patient and tumor characteristics. The primary endpoint was 3-year survival. To evaluate the effect of LN yield on the accuracy of pathological staging, pathological N stage was evaluated and 3-year survival was analyzed in a subgroup of patients with node-negative disease. Results: In 2260 of 3281 patients (67%) ≥ 15 LNs were retrieved. In total, 992 patients with ≥ 15 LNs were matched to 992 patients with < 15 LNs. The 3-year survival did not differ between the two groups (57% vs. 54%; p = 0.28). pN+ was scored in 41% of patients with ≥ 15 LNs versus 35% of patients with < 15 LNs. For node-negative patients, the 3-year survival was significantly better for patients with ≥ 15 LNs (69% vs. 61%, p = 0.01). Conclusions: n this propensity score-matched cohort, 3-year survival was comparable for patients with ≥ 15 LNs, although increasing nodal yield was associated with more accurate staging. In node-negative patients, 3-year survival was higher for patients with ≥ 15 LNs

P46 TRANSTHORACIC VERSUS TRANSHIATAL ESOPHAGECTOMY FOR ESOPHAGEAL CANCER: A NATION-WIDE PROPENSITY SCORE MATCHED COHORT ANALYSIS

Abstract Aim The current study aims to compare transthoracic and transhiatal esophagectomy in a propensity score matched nation-wide cohort study. Background &amp; Methods Chemoradiotherapy followed by resection is the standard therapy for resectable esophageal carcinoma in the Netherlands. The optimal surgical approach remains a matter of debate. Data was acquired from the Dutch Upper-GI Cancer Audit. Patients who underwent esophagectomy with curative intent and gastric tube reconstruction for mid/distal esophageal or esophagogastric junction carcinoma from 2011-2016 were included. Patients with missing baseline data and patients undergoing emergency or hybrid surgery were excluded. Patients who underwent a transthoracic (TTE) or transhiatal (THE) esophagectomy were compared after propensity score matching. Results After propensity score matching, 1532 patients were included for analysis. The transthoracic approach yielded more lymph nodes (median 19 vs 14; p&lt;0.001). There was no difference in the number of positive lymph nodes, however, the median (y)pN-stage was higher after TTE (p=0.044). The TTE group experienced more chyle leakage (9.7% vs 2.7%, p&lt;0.001) and more pulmonary (35.5% vs 26.1%, p&lt;0.001) and cardiac complications (15.4% vs 10.3%, p=0.003). The TTE group required a longer hospital stay (median 14 vs 11 days, p&lt;0.001), ICU stay (median 3 vs 1 day, p&lt;0.001) and had a higher early mortality rate (4.0% vs 1.7%, p=0.009). Subgroup analysis on anastomotic level showed that TTE with intrathoracic anastomosis (TTEi) had a significantly lower recurrent nerve lesion incidence (0.5%) compared to TTE with cervical anastomosis (TTEc) (7.4%, p=&lt;0.001) and THE (5.9%, p=&lt;0.001). There was no statistical difference in anastomotic leakage rates on anastomotic level, however incidence was lowest after TTEi (TTEc 21.5%, TTEi 15.1%, THE 19.5%). The higher early mortality rate after TTE was mainly caused by TTEc (4.6%), however, only the difference of early mortality between TTEc and THE (1.7%) reached statistical significance (p=0.006). Conclusion TTE provided a more extensive lymph node dissection which resulted in a higher N-stage, at the cost of increased morbidity and short-term mortality. Although results in high-volume centers are often superior, these data reflect nationwide results. Future research should investigate if a more extensive lymph node dissection leads to an improved long-term survival. </jats:sec

Robotic Sentinel Lymph Node Procedure After Endoscopic Submucosal Dissection of High Risk Early Gastric Cancer: A Case Report

Endoscopic resection (ER) is the treatment of choice for early gastric cancer (T1) without lymph node involvement. An additional gastrectomy with D2 lymphadenectomy is recommended if ER is considered as non-curative. Here, we present a case of a robot-assisted sentinel lymph node procedure performed with the use of duel-tracer, including ICG fluorescence and technetium-99, after a non-curative ESD for an early gastric tumor. Five “hot” lymph nodes were resected, one of which was positive for metastasis. A subtotal gastrectomy with D2 lymphadenectomy was performed additionally during the same procedure. This case presentation indicates the feasibility of a robot-assisted sentinel lymph node procedure in early gastric cancer.</jats:p

Cardiorespiratory Comorbidity and Postoperative Complications following Esophagectomy: a European Multicenter Cohort Study

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