Published online Nov 21, 2014. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v20.i43.16282
Revised: July 4, 2014
Accepted: July 24, 2014
Published online: November 21, 2014
Processing time: 163 Days and 24 Hours
AIM: To develop a technique of sleeve-wrapping the pedicled omentum around the esophagogastric anastomosis for preventing and localizing leakage.
METHODS: This study includes data from 86 patients who were diagnosed with esophageal cancer and underwent the technique of sleeve-wrapping the pedicled omentum around esophagogastric anastomosis after esophagectomy between November 2011 and July 2013. The early complications that occurred during follow-up were analyzed.
RESULTS: Postoperative complications included pulmonary complications (13/86; 15.1%) and abdominal or thoracic wound infection (3/86; 3.5%). Complications that occurred during follow-up included one case of anastomosis leakage (limited by omentum; 1.2%) and five case of anastomosis stricture (5.8%). No deaths occurred. All complications were resolved through traditional treatment. No additional surgery was needed.
CONCLUSION: Sleeve-wrapping of the pedicled omentum around esophagogastric anastomosis after esophagectomy is safe and effective for preventing and localizing anastomosis leakage without increasing anastomosis stricture.
Core tip: This study describes sleeve-wrapping of the pedicled omentum around esophagogastric anastomosis after esophagectomy to prevent and localize anastomosis leakage for the treatment of esophageal carcinoma. A total of 86 patients with esophageal carcinoma were operated upon with the new anastomosis technique at our institute, and only one patient developed anastomotic leakage, which was limited by the omentum, and successfully cured by conservative treatment. A better understanding of this may provide a good alternative method for anastomosis after esophagogastrectomy of esophageal cancer.