Cervical anastomotic leakage (AL) is a severe complication following esophageal cancer surgery, leading to significant morbidity and risk of mortality. This case report describes the successful application of negative pressure wound therapy with instillation (NPWTi) in managing AL after esophageal surgery. A 61-year-old patient developed an anastomotic leak on postoperative day 7, accompanied by persistent neck pain and leakage of nutritional fluids. Treatment involved a dual-tube NPWTi system with continuous saline instillation to clean and prevent infection, maintain wound moisture, and promote tissue granulation. Within 15 days, the leakage was substantially controlled, and a barium swallow test confirmed complete closure by day 20. This case suggests NPWTi as a promising and less invasive approach to managing AL post-esophagectomy, warranting further research on its clinical efficacy and safety.

Anastomotic leakage (AL) contributes to postoperative morbidity and mortality after Ivor-Lewis esophagectomy. Vascular high-risk patients show a significantly increased risk of AL. We previously showed that laparoscopic ischemic conditioning (ISCON) of the stomach prior esophagectomy in these high-risk patients is a safe procedure that induces neoangiogenesis at the anastomotic site. Our data also suggested that this directly impacts on anastomotic healing. To further investigate the hypothesis that gastric conduit vascularization directly influences postoperative morbidity, we evaluated gastric conduit vascularity in a cohort of patients undergoing two-stage esophagectomy prior to the ISCON era.

Seventy-nine patients who underwent two-stage esophagectomy from 2016 to 2021 at our center were retrospectively analyzed from a prospectively maintained database. Microvessel density (MVD) of the gastric conduit at the anastomotic region was evaluated by CD34 staining of the gastric stapler ring. Analysis of microvessel density (MVD) was performed using ImageJ. Patients were stratified into low- and high-MVD groups, and MVD was correlated with clinical outcomes.

Patients with a high MVD showed a significantly lower rate of anastomotic leakage (AL) in comparison to patients with low MVD (6.25% vs. 22.58% p=0.043). Furthermore, a high MVD was associated with a lower rate of major complications (Clavien Dindo ≥ IIIb) (12.50% vs. 38.71% p=0.012) and a shorter hospital stay (17.9 days vs. 23.1 days, p=0.045).

Vascularization of the stomach might function as surgical biomarker of AL in patients undergoing two-stage esophagectomy. Prospective trials have to further substantiate this finding.

Benign stenosis frequently occurs after esophagectomy, causing dysphagia, eating problems, and diminished quality of life. This study aimed to identify risk factors for benign anastomotic stenosis after esophagectomy for cancer.

This retrospective cohort study analyzed patients who underwent esophagectomy at Amsterdam UMC from 2012 until 2022. Intrathoracic and cervical anastomoses were examined separately. Benign anastomotic stenosis was defined as stenosis at the anastomosis causing dysphagia (Ogilvie score ≥2) and requiring at least one endoscopic dilation. Predictive factors were identified using logistic regression.

The study enrolled 902 patients: 605 with intrathoracic and 297 with cervical anastomosis. Of these cases, 91.1 % were a minimally invasive esophagectomy. Stenosis occurred in 18.4 % of the intrathoracic cases and 49.8 % of the cervical cases (p < 0.001). The patients required medians of 4 and 7 dilations, respectively (p = 0.001). The median time to stenosis was 99 days for the intrathor days for the cervical anastomoses (p = 0.001). Intrathoracic stenosis was independently associated with anastomotic leakage (odds ratio [OR], 2.034; 95 % confidence interval [CI], 1.116-3.708). For the patients without leakage, a 2 mm versus a 25 mm circular stapler reduced stenosis risk (OR, 0.486; 95 % CI, 0.294-0.803), whereas use of immunosuppressants (OR, 3.492; 95 % CI, 1.186-10.279]) and chronic pulmonary disease (OR, 2.717; 95 % CI, 1.293-5.707) increased it. For cervical anastomoses, hand-sewn end-to-side anastomosis was protective (OR, 0.454; 95 % CI, 0.234-0.879).

The key risk factors for intrathoracic benign anastomotic stenosis are anastomotic leakage, smaller circular stapler size, use of immunosuppressants, and chronic pulmonary disease. For cervical anastomoses, the hand-sewn end-to side technique is protective compared with the end-to-end technique, whereas use of immunosuppressants and chronic pulmonary disease increases the risk.

Infectious complications occur frequently after esophagectomy leading to prolonged hospital stay and increased costs. This study aimed to analyze the pattern of infectious complications, the spectrum of associated microbiota, and its impact on health system costs in patients who underwent esophagectomy for esophageal cancer.

All patients undergoing curative resection for histologically confirmed esophageal cancer between January 2017 and August 2022 were included. Patients' survival was analyzed by Kaplan-Meier estimate. Contingency tables were applied to assess the association between microbiota and the occurrence of infectious complications and their impact on patients' survival.

Four hundred forty-one patients who received a R0 resection for esophageal cancer were identified. Infectious complications occurred in 153 patients (34.7%). Pneumonia was the most frequent complication (28.8%) followed by anastomotic leakage (25.4%). Enterococcus and Candida species were the dominant microbiota associated with infectious complications (Candida species: OR 7.34, 95% CI 2.38-22.67) and anastomotic leakage (Enterococcus species: OR 6,15, 95% CI 1,51-24,99; Candida species: OR 7.14, 95% CI 2.48-20.56). Intensive care unit stay (mean 14.3 vs. 4.9 days, p < 0.001) and total hospital stay (mean 34.1 vs. 18.8 days, p < 0.001) were significantly longer in patients with infectious complications. Total health system costs (44.084 € vs. 25.907 €) increased after the occurrence of infectious complications.

Infectious complications after esophagectomy are predominantly associated with the presence of Enterococcus and Candida species, leading to increased health system costs. Preventive antibiotic and antimycotic treatment might result in reduction of infectious complications and lower health system costs.

The impact of anastomotic leak (AL) on the long-term survival of patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) remains unclear. This study investigated whether AL influences the long-term survival of patients with ESCC following McKeown esophagectomy.

An original database was queried to identify patients with ESCC who underwent McKeown esophagectomy between 2012 and 2020 at a high-volume cancer center. Overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) were compared using Kaplan-Meier (KM) curves. Cox regression analysis was used for multivariate analysis. Propensity score matching (PSM) was used to adjust for the confounding factors.

A total of 1614 patients were included, of whom 16.9% developed AL. In patients without neoadjuvant therapy, for patients with and without AL, the 5-year OS was 55.8% and 62.0%, and the 5-year DFS was 48.7% and 59.1%, respectively (OS: p = 0.37, DFS: p = 0.046). In the neoadjuvant cohort, for patients with and without AL, the 5-year OS was 57.9% and 63.2%, and the 5-year DFS was 55.4% and 58.8%, respectively (OS: p = 0.48, DFS: p = 0.78). Moreover, AL significantly increased the risk of distant recurrence in patients without neoadjuvant therapy (p = 0.023).

These findings suggest that AL negatively influences DFS in patients without neoadjuvant therapy, but does not significantly affect long-term survival in patients receiving neoadjuvant treatment. Intensive treatment and follow-up plan should be considered when patients without neoadjuvant therapy.

Anastomotic leakage (AL) in the upper gastrointestinal tract (uGIT) is a critical condition associated with high mortality and significant morbidity. Effective management requires prompt and specialized diagnostic and therapeutic interventions through an interdisciplinary approach. In current practice, surgical intervention is infrequent and typically reserved for cases of extensive damage. Close collaboration between radiology, endoscopy, and surgery is essential for optimal care. Endoscopic therapy is the primary modality for managing AI in the upper GIT. This review offers an overview of the most common endoscopic treatment strategies for AL in this region.

Significant advancements have been made in the endoscopic management of AL in the uGIT in recent years. Endoscopic sutures and clips remain appropriate for smaller defects, but for larger leakages, endoscopic vacuum therapy (EVT) is gaining prominence over stent placement. Innovative approaches, such as vacuum stents and small diameter filmed drainage (FD), offer promising new therapeutic options for treating AL in the uGIT.

(1) Endoscopy plays a pivotal role in the management of AL in the upper GIT. (2) A growing body of evidence supports EVT as superior to other modalities such as sutures, tissue sealants, or clips. Notably, EVT has a lower complication rate and higher healing success compared to stent therapy in AL treatment. (3) New endoscopic techniques, including the vacuum stent and FD, represent promising advancements in the treatment of AL.

In the last 3 decades, we have witnessed a significant shift from traditional surgical approaches to minimally invasive and robotic surgery for treating gastrointestinal (GI) conditions minimalizing the associated morbidity and mortality. Meanwhile, endoscopy has continually evolved, reshaping the landscape of both diagnostic and therapeutic procedures. The implementation of postsurgical endoscopy as a critical diagnostic tool is primarily due to its capabilities in early complication detection and providing a prompt therapy possibility, assessment of healing, management of symptoms, and surveillance for recurrence in malignancy cases.

This review will first delve into the history of endoscopic developments, explore the various available postoperative diagnostic tools, focusing particularly on endoscopy and showing some real-life examples.

As an essential diagnostic tool, postsurgical endoscopy plays a crucial role in the management of patients undergoing upper and lower GI surgeries. It is indispensable for ensuring an optimal postoperative result. The continuous advancements in endoscopic technology and techniques have significantly enhanced the diagnostic and therapeutic capabilities of this modality, solidifying its role in modern GI surgery. Integrating postsurgical endoscopy into routine clinical practice and learning curriculum for surgical residents is vital and essential for optimizing the postoperative care to ensure the best possible outcome for patients.

Whether preoperative sarcopenia predicts increased risk of anastomotic leakage in operated esophageal cancer patients remains unclear. This study aimed to identify the relationship between preoperative sarcopenia and the incidence of anastomotic leakage in surgical esophageal cancer.

PubMed, EMBASE, CNKI and Web of Science databases were searched up to October 11, 2024. Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were combined and subgroup analysis based on the pathological type, definition of sarcopenia and history of neoadjuvant therapy were performed.

Fifteen studies with 3,785 patients were included and 368 patients developed the anastomotic leakage (9.72%). Pooled results demonstrated that preoperative sarcopenia was significantly associated with the occurrence of anastomotic leakage among surgical esophageal cancer patients (OR = 1.57, 95% CI: 1.29-1.90, p < 0.001). Subgroup analysis by the pathological type and definition of sarcopenia revealed similar results. However, subgroup analysis by the neoadjuvant therapy indicated that preoperative sarcopenia was only related to anastomotic leakage among patients without the history of neoadjuvant therapy (OR = 2.40. 95% CI: 1.61-3.58, p < 0.001), and sarcopenia was not a significant risk factor for anastomotic leakage in neoadjuvant therapy treated patients (OR = 1.06, p = 0.845).

Preoperative sarcopenia could serve as a risk indicator in surgical esophageal cancer patients without neoadjuvant therapy.

Anastomotic leak (AL) remains one of the most serious complications following esophagectomy, contributing to significant morbidity, prolonged hospital stays, and increased mortality. Despite advancements in surgical techniques and perioperative care, AL continues to challenge surgeons and negatively impact patient outcomes. Various factors contribute to its development, including patient-specific comorbidities, tumor characteristics, anastomotic technique, conduit perfusion, and perioperative management. Prevention strategies have evolved with the integration of intraoperative techniques such as fluorescence-guided perfusion assessment, omental reinforcement, and meticulous surgical handling of the gastric conduit. Emerging technologies, including endoluminal vacuum therapy (EVT) and multimodal perioperative protocols, have demonstrated potential in reducing leak incidence and improving management. Diagnosing AL remains complex due to its variable presentation, necessitating a combination of clinical evaluation, inflammatory markers, imaging studies, and endoscopic assessments. While routine postoperative imaging has shown limited sensitivity, on-demand CT and endoscopic evaluations play a crucial role in early detection and intervention. This review provides a comprehensive analysis of the risk factors, prevention strategies, and diagnostic modalities for AL after esophagectomy, incorporating recent advancements and emerging technologies.

<b>Introduction:</b> Gold standard treatment for locally advanced esophageal cancer is subtotal resection of the esophagus with resection of regional lymph nodes. Despite being performed in experienced and specialized centers, this procedure is associated with a high rate of complications. Complications such as anastomotic fistula and leakage can be life-threatening, primarily resulting from inadequate blood circulation in the anastomosis area. <br><br><b>Aim:</b> The aim of the study is to present the results of intraoperative indocyanine green (ICG) application in order to verify the adequate perfusion in esophagogastric anastomosis. <br><br><b>Materials and methods:</b> This is a single-center prospective analysis of 32 patients who underwent subtotal esophagectomy with regional lymph node resection for esophageal carcinoma. In all cases, intraoperative perfusion assessment using ICG fluorescence imaging (ICG-FI) was performed. Patient characteristics, comorbidities, and postoperative outcomes were analyzed, with treatment effects monitored for up to 1 year postoperatively. <br><br><b>Results:</b> Six patients required gastric conduit reduction due to poor blood perfusion visualized by intraoperative ICG-FI. Anastomotic leakage occurred in two cases, which were managed endoscopically with endo-vac therapy and esophageal stent placement. The remaining patients did not require additional surgical interventions during the postoperative course. <br><br><b>Conclusions:</b> The use of ICG dye in esophageal surgery appears to be a beneficial tool for objective assessment of perfusion that may be a valuable prediction factor in the postoperative course.

This study aims to conduct a comprehensive meta-analysis of the effects of postoperative complications (PCs) on survival following esophagectomy using the restricted mean survival time (RMST) analysis.

A systematic literature search was performed in PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Cochrane, and Medline, including articles published up to July 2024. Data were reconstructed from Kaplan-Meier curves, and the difference in RMST (RMSTD) and the RMST/restricted mean time loss (RMTL) ratios were calculated to examine the effects of PCs on overall survival.

A total of 12 articles, including 7925 patients, met the inclusion criteria. RMSTD estimates indicate that patients with overall PCs survived an average of 0.04 years shorter (RMSTD = -0.04, 95% CI: -0.06, -0.03) than those without PCs at the 1-year follow-up and 0.39 years shorter (RMSTD = -0.39, 95% CI: -0.55, -0.22) at the 5-year follow-up. Patients with anastomotic leaks survived an average of 0.34 years shorter (RMSTD = -0.34, 95% CI: -0.49, -0.19), and patients with pulmonary complications survived an average of 0.63 years shorter (RMSTD = -0.63, 95% CI: -0.81, -0.45) at the 5-year follow-up. Additionally, RMTL ratios were estimated to be 1.21 (95% CI: 1.12, 1.31) for overall PCs, 1.19 (95% CI: 1.11, 1.28) for anastomotic leaks, and 1.53 (95% CI: 1.36, 1.73) for pulmonary complications at the 5-year follow-up, respectively.

Our findings quantified the annual negative impact of PCs of esophageal cancer on overall patient survival following esophagectomy. Increased efforts are needed to enhance prevention, early screening, and timely treatment for complications, particularly for patients with pulmonary complications.

Anastomotic leakage (AL) is one of the most important complications that occurs after upper gastrointestinal surgery, registering rates of 20-30% after esophagectomy. The role of systemic inflammatory biomarkers to predict anastomotic leaks is controversial and needs systematization.

A systematic review based on the PRISMA guidelines criteria was performed. PubMed, Scopus, and Embase were queried using MESH Terms and All Fields key words to identify studies investigating a range of immune-inflammatory factors in predicting AL.

Twenty-four studies were included in this review. The total number of included patients was 5903, ranging in each study from 42 to 612. The included studies reported patients that underwent different techniques of esophagectomy (Ivor Lewis, McKeown, Orringer or thoracoabdominal esophagectomy) and 23 out of 24 studies included patients that underwent neoadjuvant treatment. While different biomarkers at different timepoints were analyzed, most studies have indicated postoperative biomarkers, between day 3 and day 5 to reach statistical significance.

Systemic inflammatory biomarkers represent potential risk stratification and predicting tools for AL after esophageal surgery, but more studies need to be conducted to validate their clinical utility.

Assessment of tissue perfusion using near-infrared fluorescence (NIR) with indocyanine green (ICG) is gaining popularity, however reliable and objective interpretation remains a challenge. Therefore, this study aimed to establish reference curves for vital tissue perfusion across target tissues using this imaging modality.

Data from five prospective study cohorts conducted in three Dutch academic medical centres between December 2018 and June 2023 was included. Quantitative analysis using time-intensity curves was performed in ten target tissues, including the colon, ileum, gastric conduit, deep inferior epigastric artery perforator (DIEP) flap, skin of the foot, trachea, sternocleidomastoid muscle (SCM), carotid artery, parathyroid gland, and skin of the neck.

A total of 178 patients were included in this study, representing 303 target tissues. Three different patterns of reference curves were identified based on a subjective assessment. Seven out of ten tissues showed a reference curve with rapid inflow (median time-to-max (tmax): 13.0-17.8 s, median maximum-normalized-slope (slope norm): 10.6-12.6%/sec), short outflow (median area-under-the-curve of tmax + 60 s (AUC60): 65.0-85.1%) followed by a gradual/absent outflow. Secondly, the DIEP flap and SCM tissue showed a reference curve with longer inflow (median tmax: 24.0, 22.0 s, median slope norm: 9.3, 9.7%/sec respectively) and reduced outflow (median AUC60: 89.1, 89.0% respectively). Thirdly, the skin of the foot showed slow inflow (median tmax 141.1 s, median norm slope 2.1%/sec) without outflow.

This study demonstrates reference curves for vital tissue perfusion of multiple target tissues identified with ICG NIR fluorescence imaging, providing a critical step towards the clinical implementation of this technique.

Managing esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) in patients with a history of cervical radiotherapy for a head and neck cancer (HNC) often requires a careful evaluation of esophagectomy due to concerns regarding complications and prognosis. This study evaluates the periesophagectomy and oncological outcomes of such patients. Patients diagnosed with ESCC between January 2010 and August 2023 and who had undergone esophagectomy with cervical anastomosis were retrospectively reviewed. Patients were categorized into two groups based on the presence (group 1) or absence (group 2) of a history of radiotherapy for as HNC. After 1: 2 propensity score matching, the perioperative and oncological outcomes, including overall survival (OS) and recurrence-free survival (RFS), were evaluated. A total of 481 patients, 32 in group 1 and 449 in group 2, were included. After matching, group 1 patients and 64 patients in the group 2 were analyzed. All the patients in group 1 were males, and their mean age was 56 years. The median radiation dose was 69 Gy. The rates of anastomosis leakage, pneumonia, respiratory failure, and reoperation were comparable between the two groups. However, vocal cord palsy occurred more frequently in group 1, particularly in those with recurrent laryngeal nerve lymph node dissection (37.5%). The 3-year OS (69.6% vs. 75.2%; p = 0.26) and RFS (50.8% vs. 55.9%; p = 0.63) were similar between groups 1 and 2. In conclusion, perioperative and oncological outcomes were comparable between ESCC patients with and without prior HNC radiotherapy, supporting esophagectomy as a feasible option.

This study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of a modified incision line on the lesser curvature for gastric conduit formation during esophagectomy in enhancing the perfusion of gastric conduit as determined by indocyanine green fluorescence imaging and reducing the incidence of anastomotic leakage.

A total of 272 patients who underwent esophagectomy at our institute between 2014 and 2022 were enrolled in this study. These patients were divided based on two different types of cutlines on the lesser curvature: conventional group (n = 141) following the traditional cutline and modified group (n = 131) adopting a modified cutline. Gastric conduit perfusion was assessed by ICG fluorescence imaging, and clinical outcomes after esophagectomy were evaluated.

The distance from the pylorus to the cutline was significantly longer in the modified group compared with the conventional group (median: 9.0 cm vs. 5.0 cm, p < 0.001). The blood flow speed in the gastric conduit wall was significantly higher in the modified group than that in the conventional group (median: 2.81 cm/s vs. 2.54 cm/s, p = 0.001). Furthermore, anastomotic leakage was significantly lower (p = 0.024) and hospital stay was significantly shorter (p < 0.001) in the modified group compared with the conventional group. Multivariate analysis identified blood flow speed in the gastric conduit wall as the only variable significantly associated with anastomotic leakage.

ICG fluorescence imaging is a feasible, reliable method for the assessment of gastric conduit perfusion. Modified lesser curvature cutline could enhance gastric conduit perfusion, promote blood circulation around the anastomotic site, and reduce the risk of anastomotic leakage after esophagectomy.

Leaks and fistulas are serious complications following gastrointestinal surgeries, traditionally managed by self-expandable metal stents and endoscopic vacuum therapy. The stent-over-sponge (SOS) technique is a new modality used as a rescue option when other interventions fail. This report presents the case of a 60-year-old female patient who underwent revisional bariatric surgery and developed a leak post-operation. Initial management included endoscopic debridement and the placement of an Endo-VAC system. Due to technical difficulties, the sponge was left in an endoluminal position, leading to migration. A partially covered stent was placed to prevent further migration and facilitate healing. The patient experienced complications, including hematemesis, but ultimately achieved complete leak closure and is asymptomatic six months post-treatment. In this case, the SOS technique demonstrates its safety and efficacy in dealing with post-operative leaks in patients having undergone bariatric surgery, which would justify performing more extended evaluative studies.

Robot-assisted minimally invasive esophagectomy (RAMIE) for esophageal carcinoma has emerged as the contemporary alternative to conventional laparoscopic minimally invasive (LMIE), hybrid (HE) and open (OE) surgical approaches. No single study has compared all four approaches with a view to postoperative outcomes. A systematic search of electronic databases was undertaken. A network meta-analysis was performed as per the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses-network meta-analysis guidelines. Statistical analysis was performed using R and Shiny. Seven randomised controlled trials (RCTs) with 1063 patients were included. Overall, 32.9% of patients underwent OE (350/1063), 11.0% underwent HE (117/1063), 34.0% of patients underwent LMIE (361/1063), and 22.1% of patients underwent RAMIE (235/1063). OE had the lowest anastomotic leak rate 7.7% (27/350), while LMIE had the lowest pulmonary 10.8% (39/361), cardiac 0.56% (1/177) complications, re-intervention rates 5.08% (12/236), 90-day mortality 1.05% (2/191), and shortest length of hospital stay (mean 11.25 days). RAMIE displayed the lowest 30-day mortality rate at 0.80% (2/250). There was a significant increase in pulmonary complications for those undergoing OE (OR 3.63 [95% confidence interval: 1.4-9.77]) when compared to RAMIE. LMIE is a safe and feasible option for esophagectomy when compared to OE and HE. The upcoming RCTs will provide further data to make a more robust interrogation of the surgical outcomes following RAMIE compared to conventional open surgery to determine equipoise or superiority of each approach as the era of minimally invasive esophagectomy continues to evolve (International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews Registration: CRD42023438790).

Despite being a less-invasive procedure, esophagectomy can cause severe infectious complications, such as pneumonia and anastomotic leakage. Herein, we aimed to clarify the inflammatory characteristics of pneumonia/anastomotic leakage after esophagectomy by assessing the difference between the postoperative trends of serum C-reactive protein (CRP) and procalcitonin (PCT) levels in patients with pneumonia/anastomotic leakage using the values on the consecutive postoperative day (POD).

This study included 439 patients who underwent minimally invasive esophagectomy. Serum CRP and PCT levels were measured on PODs 1-7, 10, and 14. Pneumonia and anastomotic leakage were defined as Clavien-Dindo grades ≥ 2.

Pneumonia and anastomotic leakage occurred in 96 and 51 patients, respectively. The CRP and PCT levels peaked on POD 3 (11.6 ± 6.8 mg/dL) and POD 2 (0.69 ± 2.9 ng/mL), respectively. Between PODs 3 and 14, CRP levels were significantly higher in patients with pneumonia and anastomotic leakage than in those without complications (P < 0.001). Between PODs 3 and 14, PCT levels were significantly higher in patients with pneumonia; however, on most PODs, there were no significant differences in PCT levels between patients with and without anastomotic leakage.

Inflammatory reactions caused by pneumonia may be more intense than those caused by anastomotic leakage after esophagectomy. Postoperative trends in serum CRP and PCT levels may vary depending on the complication type. Pneumonia and anastomotic leakage after esophagectomy can be potentially distinguished by the postoperative trend of PCT values before detailed examinations, such as computed tomography and endoscopy.

To mitigate gastroparesis as well as other post-operative complications, we undertook a prospective multicenter study to assess the feasibility, safety, and efficacy in the short-term outcomes of laparoscopic and thoracoscopic whole stomach esophagectomy with preoperative pyloric balloon dilatation.

A prospective descriptive study on 37 patients with laparoscopic and thoracoscopic whole stomach esophagectomy with preoperative pyloric balloon dilatation from January 2019 to March 2023. The perioperative indications, clinical data, intra-operative index, pathological postoperative specimens, postoperative complications, and follow-up results were retrospectively evaluated.

In our study, all patients were male, with dysphagia as the predominant symptom (45.9%). Esophageal cancer incidence was similar between middle and lower thirds. Nodules were the primary finding on esophagoscopy (48.6%). Preoperative pyloric dilation averaged 31.2 min without complications. Surgical duration ranged from 225 to 400 min (mean 305). Gastric tube fluid volume averaged 148.9 ± 110.66 ml per day. Among 34 post-operative cases underwent gastric transit scans, most had non-dilated stomachs with efficient pyloric drug circulation. Three cases required prolonged ventilation, precluding pyloric circulation scans. Four patients developed chylous fistula, one requiring chest tube embolization. Recurrent laryngeal nerve damage occurred in 10.8% of cases.

After evaluating esophageal cancer patients undergoing laparoscopic whole-stomach esophagectomy with preoperative pyloric balloon dilatation, it was found that this procedure is safe, effective, and significantly reduces postoperative gastroparesis and related complications.

To evaluate the impact of a speech-language pathology (SLP) pathway on recovery following oesophagectomy.

An audit was conducted at a single metropolitan public hospital in Sydney, Australia. Patients between 2014-2021 undergoing a three-stage oesophagectomy (n = 41) were included in the study. The sample was divided into two groups, those who received usual care (2014-2019) and those who received perioperative SLP assessment and intervention (2020-2021), with data collected across swallowing and health outcomes. Patient demographics and outcomes between the two groups were compared.

Patients who received perioperative SLP intervention commenced oral intake faster postoperatively (SLP intervention group Mdn = 6.50 days, IQR = 6.00-7.00; usual care group Mdn = 9.00 days, IQR = 7.00-13.25; p = 0.001). There was no statistically significant difference between groups in rates of aspiration on the postoperative leak test (p = 0.32). No statistically significant differences were found between the two groups in length of hospital stay or number of swallowing-related medical images completed during their admission.

Perioperative SLP intervention has a positive impact on commencing oral intake following a three-stage oesophagectomy, however, it does not have a significant impact on rates of aspiration postoperatively. This pathway may contribute to enhanced recovery after oesophagectomy.

Enteral nutrition is the preferred mode of nutrition following esophagectomy. However, the preferred mode of enteral nutrition (feeding jejunostomy (FJ) vs. nasojejunal (NJ) tube) remains contentious. In this randomized controlled trial (RCT), we compared FJ with NJ tube feeding in terms of safety, feasibility, efficacy, and quality-of-life (QOL) parameters in Indian patients undergoing trans-hiatal esophagectomy (THE) for carcinoma esophagus.

This single-center, two-armed (FJ and NJ tube), non-inferiority RCT was conducted from March 2020 to January 2024. Forty-eight patients underwent THE with posterior-mediastinal-gastric pull-up and were randomized to NJ and FJ arms (24 in each group). The postoperative complications, catheter efficacy, and QOL parameters were compared between the two groups till the 6-week follow-up.

In this RCT, we found no significant difference in the occurrence of catheter-related complications, postoperative complication rate, catheter efficacy, and visual analog pain scores between patients with NJ tube and FJ, following THE for esophageal cancer. There was a significantly better self-reported physical domain QOL score noted in the NJ group, both at the time of discharge (44.7 ± 6.2 vs 39.8 + 5.6; p value, 0.005) and at the 6-week follow-up (55.4 ± 5.2 vs 48.6 ± 4.5; p value, < 0.001).

Based on the findings of our RCT, we conclude that both enteral access methods (NJ vs. FJ) exhibit comparable incidences of catheter-related complications. The use of NJ tube is a viable alternative to a surgical FJ, has the benefit of early removal, and saves the distress associated with a tube per abdomen.

Frailty becomes more pronounced with advancing age, tightly intertwined with adverse clinical outcomes. Across diverse medical disciplines, frailty is now universally recognized as not only a risk factor but also a predictive indicator for unfavorable clinical prognosis.

This study was a retrospective cohort study that included clinical data from patients (aged ≥ 65 years) with esophageal cancer treated surgically at the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University in 2021. For each patient, we calculated their 11-index modified frailty index(mFI-11) scores and categorized the patients into a frailty group (mFI-11hign) and a non-frailty group (mFI-11low) based on the optimal grouping cutoff value of 0.27 from a previous study. The primary study index was the incidence of postoperative pulmonary infection, arrhythmia, anastomotic fistula, chylothorax, and electrolyte disturbance complications. Secondary study indicators included postoperative ICU stay, total hospitalization time, readmission rate within 30 days of discharge, and mortality within 30 days after surgery. We performed univariate and multivariate analyses to assess the association between mFI-11 and adverse outcomes as well as postoperative complications.

Five hundred and fifteen patients were included, including 64.9% (334/515) in the non-frailty group and 35.1% (181/515) in the frailty group. Comparing postoperative complication rates between the two groups revealed lower incidences of postoperative anastomotic fistula (21.5% vs. 4.5%), chylothorax (16.0% vs. 2.1%), cardiac arrhythmia (61.9% vs. 9.9%), pulmonary infections (85.1% vs. 26.6%), and electrolyte disturbance (84.5% vs. 15.0%) in patients of the non-frailty group was lower than that in the frailty group (p < 0.05). mFI-11 showed better prognostic results in predicting postoperative complications. anastomotic fistula (area under the ROC curve AUROC = 0.707), chylothorax (area under the ROC curve AUROC = 0.744), pulmonary infection (area under the ROC curve AUROC = 0.767), arrhythmia (area under the ROC curve AUROC = 0.793), electrolyte disturbance (area under the ROC curve AUROC = 0.832), and admission to ICU (area under the ROC curve AUROC = 0.700).

Preoperative frail elderly patients with esophageal cancer have a high rate of postoperative complications. mFI-11 can be used as an objective indicator for identifying elderly patients at risk for esophageal cancer.

It was typically necessary to place a closed thoracic drainage tube for drainage following esophageal cancer surgery. Recently, the extra use of thoracic mediastinal drainage after esophageal cancer surgery had also become more common. However, it had not yet been determined whether mediastinal drains could be used alone following esophageal cancer surgery.

A total of 134 patients who underwent esophageal cancer surgery in our department between June 2020 and June 2023 were retrospectively analyzed. Among them, 34 patients received closed thoracic drainage (CTD), 58 patients received closed thoracic drainage combined with mediastinal drainage (CTD-MD), while 42 patients received postoperative mediastinal drainage (MD). The general condition, incidence of postoperative pulmonary complications, postoperative NRS score, and postoperative anastomotic leakage were compared. The Mann-Whitney U tests, Welch's t tests, one-way ANOVA, chi-square tests and Fisher's exact tests were applied.

There was no significant difference in the incidence of postoperative hyperthermia, peak leukocytes, total drainage, hospitalization days and postoperative pulmonary complications between MD group and the other two groups. Interestingly, patients in the MD group experienced significantly lower postoperative pain compared to the other two groups. Additionally, abnormal postoperative drainage fluid could be detected early in this group. Furthermore, there was no significant change in the incidence of postoperative anastomotic leakage and the mortality rate of patients after the occurrence of anastomotic leakage in the MD group compared with the other two groups.

Using mediastinal drain alone following esophageal cancer surgery was equally safe. Furthermore, it could substantially decrease postoperative pain, potentially replacing the closed thoracic drain in clinical practice.

The incidence of anastomotic leakage (AL) following esophagectomy is regarded as a noteworthy complication. There is a need for biomarkers to facilitate early diagnosis of AL in high-risk esophageal cancer (EC) patients, thereby minimizing its morbidity and mortality. We assessed the predictive abilities of inflammatory biomarkers for AL in patients after esophagectomy.

In order to ascertain the predictive efficacy of biomarkers for AL, Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curves were generated. Furthermore, univariate, LASSO, and multivariate logistic regression analyses were conducted to discern the risk factors associated with AL. Based on these identified risk factors, a diagnostic nomogram model was formulated and subsequently assessed for its predictive performance.

Among the 438 patients diagnosed with EC, a total of 25 patients encountered AL. Notably, elevated levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6), IL-10, C-reactive protein (CRP), and procalcitonin (PCT) were observed in the AL group as compared to the non-AL group, demonstrating statistical significance. Particularly, IL-6 exhibited the highest predictive capacity for early postoperative AL, exhibiting a sensitivity of 92.00% and specificity of 61.02% at a cut-off value of 132.13 pg/ml. Univariate, LASSO, and multivariate logistic regression analyses revealed that fasting blood glucose ≥7.0mmol/L and heightened levels of IL-10, IL-6, CRP, and PCT were associated with an augmented risk of AL. Consequently, a nomogram model was formulated based on the results of multivariate logistic analyses. The diagnostic nomogram model displayed a robust discriminatory ability in predicting AL, as indicated by a C-Index value of 0.940. Moreover, the decision curve analysis provided further evidence supporting the clinical utility of this diagnostic nomogram model.

This predictive instrument can serve as a valuable resource for clinicians, empowering them to make informed clinical judgments aimed at averting the onset of AL.

Indocyanine green fluorescence angiography (ICG-FA) may reduce perfusion-related complications of gastrointestinal anastomosis. Software implementations for quantifying ICG-FA are emerging to overcome a subjective interpretation of the technology. Comparison between quantification algorithms is needed to judge its external validity. This study aimed to measure the agreement for visceral perfusion assessment between two independently developed quantification software implementations.

This retrospective cohort analysis included standardized ICG-FA video recordings of patients who underwent esophagectomy with gastric conduit reconstruction between August 2020 until February 2022. Recordings were analyzed by two quantification software implementations: AMS and CPH. The quantitative parameter used to measure visceral perfusion was the normalized maximum slope derived from fluorescence time curves. The agreement between AMS and CPH was evaluated in a Bland-Altman analysis. The relation between the intraoperative measurement of perfusion and the incidence of anastomotic leakage was determined for both software implementations.

Seventy pre-anastomosis ICG-FA recordings were included in the study. The Bland-Altman analysis indicated a mean relative difference of + 58.2% in the measurement of the normalized maximum slope when comparing the AMS software to CPH. The agreement between AMS and CPH deteriorated as the magnitude of the measured values increased, revealing a proportional (linear) bias (R2 = 0.512, p < 0.001). Neither the AMS nor the CPH measurements of the normalized maximum slope held a significant relationship with the occurrence of anastomotic leakage (median of 0.081 versus 0.074, p = 0.32 and 0.041 vs 0.042, p = 0.51, respectively).

This is the first study to demonstrate technical differences in software implementations that can lead to discrepancies in ICG-FA quantification in human clinical cases. The possible variation among software-based quantification methods should be considered when interpreting studies that report quantitative ICG-FA parameters and derived thresholds, as there may be a limited external validity.

Mediastinal infection caused by anastomotic leak is hard to cure, mainly because the poor drainage at the site of mediastinal infection leads to persistent cavity infection, which in turn becomes a refractory mediastinal abscess cavity after minimally invasive esophagectomy (MIE)-McKeown. Herein, we explored sternocleidomastoid (SCM) muscle flaps and emulsified adipose tissue stromal vascular fraction containing adipose-derived stem-cells to address this issue. We studied 10 patients with esophageal cancer who underwent MIE-McKeown + 2-field lymphadenectomy and developed anastomotic and mediastinal leak and received new technology treatment in the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Zhengzhou University from June 2018 to March 2022. The clinical data and prognosis of the patients were collected and analyzed. A total of 5 patients received this surgery, and no other complications occurred during the perioperative period. Among the 5 patients, 1 patient was partially cured, and 4 patients were completely cured. During the follow-up 3 months postoperatively, all these 5 patients could eat regular food smoothly, and no relapse of leak and mediastinal infection occurred. The new surgical method has achieved good results in the treatment of anastomotic leak. Compared with the traditional thoracotomy, it is a less invasive and feasible surgical approach, which can be used as a supplement to the effective surgical treatment of cervical anastomotic leak contaminating the mediastinum.

Anastomotic leakage (AL) following esophagectomy represents a serious complication that often results in prolonged hospitalization and necessitates repeated interventions, including nothing-by-mouth (NPO) restriction, endoscopic vacuum therapy (EVT), or surgical repair. In this study, we evaluated the patterns and outcomes of AL treatment.

We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of patients who underwent esophagectomy for esophageal cancer at a single center between 2003 and 2020. Of 3,096 examined cases, 181 patients (5.8%) with AL were included in the study: 114 patients (63%) with cervical anastomosis (CA) and 67 (37%) with intrathoracic anastomosis (TA).

The incidence of AL was 11.9% in the CA and 3.2% in the TA group (p<0.001). Among patients with CA who developed AL, 87 (76.3%) were managed with NPO, 15 (13.2%) with EVT, and 12 (10.5%) with surgical repair. Over 90% of patients with cervical AL resumed an oral diet by the time of discharge, regardless of treatment method. Among patients with TA and AL, 36 (53.7%) received NPO, 25 (37.7%) underwent EVT, and 6 (9%) required surgery. Of these, 34 patients who were managed with NPO and 19 with EVT could resume an oral diet. However, only 2 patients who underwent surgery resumed an oral diet, and 2 patients required additional EVT.

Although patients with CA displayed a higher incidence of AL, their rate of successful oral intake exceeded that of those with TA, regardless of treatment method. Among patients exhibiting AL with TA, EVT was more commonly employed than in CA cases, and it appears effective.

Endoluminal vacuum sponge therapy has dramatically improved the treatment of anastomotic leaks in esophageal surgery. However, the blind insertion of vacuum sponge kits like Eso-Sponge® via an overtube and a pusher can be technically difficult.

We therefore insert our sponges under direct visual control by a nonstandard "piggyback" technique that was initially developed for the self-made sponge systems preceding these commercially available kits.

Using this technique, we inserted or changed 56 Eso-Sponges® in seven patients between 2018 and 2023. Apart from one secondary sponge dislocation, no intraprocedural complications were encountered. One patient died due to unrelated reasons. In all others, the defects healed and they were dismissed from the hospital. Long-term follow-up showed three strictures that were successfully treated by dilatation.

We conclude that sponge placement via piggyback technique is a fast, safe, and successful alternative to the standard method of insertion.

Esophagectomy is a high-risk procedure that can involve serious postoperative complications. There has been an increase in the number of minimally invasive esophagectomies (MIEs) being performed. However, the relationship between intraoperative management and postoperative complications in MIE remains unclear.

After the institutional review board approval, we enrolled 300 patients who underwent MIE at Tohoku University Hospital between April 2016 and March 2021. The relationships among patient characteristics, intraoperative and perioperative factors, and postoperative complications were retrospectively analyzed. The primary outcome was the relationship between intraoperative fluid volume and anastomotic leakage, and the secondary outcomes included the associations between other perioperative factors and postoperative complications.

Among 300 patients, 28 were excluded because of missing data; accordingly, 272 patients were included in the final analysis. The median [interquartile range] operative duration was 599 [545-682] minutes; total intraoperative infusion volume was 3,747 [3,038-4,399] mL; total infusion volume per body weight per hour was 5.48 [4.42-6.73] mL/kg/h; and fluid balance was + 2,648 [2,015-3,263] mL. The postoperative complications included anastomotic leakage in 68 (25%) patients, recurrent nerve palsy in 91 (33%) patients, pneumonia in 62 (23%) patients, cardiac arrhythmia in 13 (5%) patients, acute kidney injury in 5 (2%) patients, and heart failure in 5 (2%) patients. The Cochrane-Armitage trend test indicated significantly increased anastomotic leakage among patients with a relatively high total infusion volume (P = 0.0085). Moreover, anastomotic leakage was associated with male sex but not with peak serum lactate levels. Patients with a longer anesthesia duration or recurrent nerve palsy had a significantly higher incidence of postoperative pneumonia than those without. Further, the incidence of postoperative pneumonia was not associated with the operative duration, total infusion volume, or fluid balance. The operative duration and blood loss were related to the total infusion volume. Acute kidney injury was not associated with the total infusion volume or serum lactate levels.

Among patients who underwent MIE, the total infusion volume was positively correlated with the incidence of anastomotic leakage. Further, postoperative pneumonia was associated with recurrent nerve palsy but not total infusion volume or fluid balance.

The introduction of minimally invasive surgeries for gastrointestinal tumours has been associated with many favourable postoperative outcomes and a reduced impact on nutritional status. The literature review begins by discussing the impact of minimally invasive procedures on the nutritional status of patients with gastrointestinal tumours, followed by indications for enteral nutrition (EN) in this population, including preoperative nutritional support and postoperative nutritional support. The review then examines the evidence that favours the use of EN in this population, including studies demonstrating improved outcomes with preoperative EN and reduced postoperative complications with postoperative EN. It also discusses potential strategies for improving outcomes with EN, such as early initiation of feeding and individualized nutrition plans. Overall, current evidence shows that EN improves outcomes, reduces complications, and enhances the quality of life. However, the optimal timing, composition of EN, and long-term outcomes are still unclear, indicating the need for future investigations.

This study aimed to compare the efficacy and postoperative quality of life for patients with esophageal cancer treated by either the modified or the traditional thoracolaparoscopic McKeown procedure.

This retrospective case-control study included 269 patients with esophageal cancer admitted to three medical centers in China from February 2020 to August 2022. The patients were divided according to surgical method into the layered hand-sewn end-to-end invagination anastomosis group (modified group) and the traditional hand anastomosis group (traditional group). Propensity score-matching (PSM) was used to maintain balance and comparability between the two groups.

The differences in age and tumor location between the patients in the traditional and modified groups were statistically significant. After PSM, the aforementioned factors were statistically insignificant. After PSM, each group had 101 patients. The modified group showed the greater advantage in terms of postoperative hospital stay (P = 0.036), incidence of anastomotic leak (P = 0.009), and incidence of gastroesophageal reflux (P < 0.001), and the difference was statistically significant. The results of the Quality of Life Questionnaire Core 30 (QLQ-C30) and Quality of Life Questionnaire Oesophageal Cancer Module 18 (QLQ-OES18) scales showed that the modified group also had the advantage over the traditional group in terms of physical function, overall health status, loss of appetite, eating, reflux, obstruction, and loss of appetite scores at the first and third months after surgery.

The modified thoraco-laparoscopic McKeown procedure is a safe and effective surgical approach that can significantly reduce the incidence of postoperative anastomotic leak and gastroesophageal reflux, shorten the postoperative hospital stay, and improve the postoperative quality of life for patients with esophageal cancer.

We compared the clinical outcomes between endoscopic vacuum therapy (EVT) and conventional treatment (CT) for the management of post-esophagectomy anastomotic leakage.

A retrospective review of the medical records of patients who underwent esophagectomy with esophagogastrostomy from November 2003 to August 2021 was conducted. Thirty-four patients who developed anastomotic leakage were analyzed according to whether they underwent CT (n = 13) or EVT (n = 21).

The median time to complete healing was significantly shorter in the EVT group than in the CT group (16 [4-142] days vs. 70 [8-604] days; p = 0.011). The rate of clinical success was higher in the EVT group (90.5%) than in the CT group (66.7%, p = 0.159). A subgroup analysis showed more favorable outcomes for EVT in patients with thoracic leakage, including a higher clinical success rate (p = 0.037), more rapid complete healing (p = 0.004), and shorter hospital stays (p = 0.006). However, the results were not significantly different in patients with cervical leakage. Anastomotic strictures occurred in 3 EVT patients (14.3%) and 5 CT patients (50.0%) (p = 0.044), and the EVT group showed a trend towards improved freedom from anastomotic strictures (p = 0.105).

EVT could be considered as an adequate treatment option for post-esophagectomy anastomotic leakage. EVT might have better clinical outcomes compared to CT for managing anastomotic leakage after transthoracic esophagogastrostomy, and further studies are needed to evaluate the effectiveness of EVT in patients who undergo cervical esophagogastrostomy.

To determine the relationship between postoperative C-reactive protein (CRP) as an early indicator of anastomotic leakage (AL) after esophagectomy for esophageal cancer.

We reviewed patients diagnosed with esophageal or esophagogastric junctional cancer who underwent esophagectomy between 2006 and 2022 at the Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden. Multivariable logistic regression models estimated relative risk for AL by calculating the odds ratio (OR) with a 95% confidence interval (CI). The cut-off values for CRP were based on the maximum Youden's index using receiver operating characteristic curve analysis.

In total, 612 patients were included, with 464 (75.8%) in the non-AL (N-AL) group and 148 (24.2%) in the AL group. Preoperative body mass index and the proportion of patients with the American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status classification 3 were significantly higher in the AL group than in the N-AL group. The median day of AL occurrence was the postoperative day (POD) 8. Trends in CRP levels from POD 2 to 3 and POD 3 to 4 were significantly higher in the AL than in the N-AL group. An increase in CRP of ≥ 4.65% on POD 2 to 3 was an independent risk factor for AL with the highest OR of 3.67 (95% CI 1.66-8.38, p = 0.001) in patients with CRP levels on POD 2 above 211 mg/L.

Early changes in postoperative CRP levels may help to detect AL early following esophageal cancer surgery.

Recently, endoscopic vacuum therapy (EVT) was introduced as treatment for anastomotic leakage after upper gastrointestinal (GI) surgery. The aim of this study was to describe the initial experience with EVT for anastomotic leakage after upper GI surgery in a tertiary referral center.

Patients treated with EVT for anastomotic leakage after upper GI surgery were included retrospectively (January 2018-June 2021) and prospectively (June 2021-October 2021). The primary end point was the EVT success rate. Secondary end points included mortality and adverse events.

38 patients were included (31 men; mean age 66 years): 27 had undergone an esophagectomy with gastric conduit reconstruction and 11 a total gastrectomy with esophagojejunal anastomosis. EVT was successful in 28 patients (74 %, 95 %CI 57 %-87 %). In 10 patients, EVT failed: deceased owing to radiation pneumonitis (n = 1), EVT-associated complications (n = 2), and defect closure not achieved (n = 7). Mean duration of successful EVT was 33 days, with a median of six EVT-related endoscopies. Median hospital stay was 45 days.

This initial experience with EVT for anastomotic leakage after upper GI surgery demonstrated a success rate of 74 %. EVT is a promising therapy that could prevent further major surgery. More experience with the technique and its indications will likely improve success rates in the future.

Upper gastrointestinal postsurgical leaks are life-threatening conditions with high mortality rates and are one of the most feared complications of surgery. Leaks are challenging to manage and often require radiological, endoscopic, or surgical intervention. Steady advancements in interventional endoscopy in recent decades have allowed the development of new endoscopic devices and techniques that provide a more effective and minimally invasive therapeutic option compared to surgery. Since there is no consensus regarding the most appropriate therapeutic approach for managing postsurgical leaks, this review aimed to summarize the best available current data. Our discussion specifically focuses on leak diagnosis, treatment aims, comparative endoscopic technique outcomes, and combined multimodality approach efficacy.

Esophageal anastomotic leaks (ALs) after esophagectomy are a common and serious complication. The incidence, diagnostic approach, and management have changed over time. We described the diagnosis and management of patients who developed an esophageal AL after an Ivor Lewis esophagectomy at our center.

After IRB approval, we queried our prospectively maintained database for patients who developed an esophageal AL after esophagectomy from August 2016 through July 2022. Data pertaining to demographics, comorbidities, surgical and oncological characteristics, and clinical course were extracted and analyzed.

During the study period, 145 patients underwent an Ivor Lewis esophagectomy; 10 (6.9%) developed an AL, diagnosed a median of 7.5 days after surgery, and detected by enteric contents in wound drains (n = 3), endoscopy (n = 3), CT (n = 2), and contrast esophagogram (n = 2). Nine patients (90%) had an increasing white blood cell count and additional signs of sepsis. One asymptomatic patient was identified by contrast esophagography. All patients received enteral nutritional support, intravenous antibiotics, and antifungals. Primary treatment of ALs included endoscopic placement of a self-expanding metal stent (SEMS; n = 6), surgery (n = 2), and SEMS with endoluminal vacuum therapy (n = 2). One patient required surgery after SEMS placement. The median length of ICU and total hospital stays were 11.5 and 22.5 days, respectively. There was no 30-day mortality.

The incidence of esophageal ALs at our center is similar to that of other high-volume centers. Most ALs can be managed without surgery; however, ALs remain a significant source of postoperative morbidity despite clinical advancements that have improved mortality.

This study aims to investigate the outcomes of patients who received early fiberoptic bronchoscopic sputum aspiration and lavage after thoracoscopic and laparoscopic esophagectomy due to esophageal cancer.

A prospective randomized clinical trial was performed between March 2020 and June 2022. Patients who were scheduled for thoracoscopic and laparoscopic esophagectomy due to esophageal cancer were enrolled. Then, these patients were assigned to the control group (traditional postoperative care) and study group (traditional postoperative care with early bronchoscopic sputum aspiration and lavage). The outcomes, which included the length of hospital stay and medical expenses, and postoperative complications, which included pulmonary infection, atelectasis, respiratory dysfunction and anastomotic leakage, were compared between these two groups.

A total of 106 patients were enrolled for the present study, and 53 patients were assigned for the control and study groups. There were no statistically significant differences in gender, age, and location of the esophageal cancer between the two groups. Furthermore, the length of hospital stay was statistically significantly shorter and the medical expenses were lower during hospitalization in the study group, when compared to the control group (12.3 ± 1.2 vs. 18.8 ± 1.3 days, 5.5 ± 0.9 vs. 7.2 ± 1.2 Chinese Yuan, respectively; all, P < 0.05). Moreover, there were statistically significantly fewer incidences of overall complications in study group, when compared to the control group (20.7% vs.45.2%, P < 0.05).

For patients with esophageal cancer, early fiberoptic bronchoscopic sputum aspiration and lavage after thoracoscopic and laparoscopic esophagectomy can shorten the length of hospital stay, and lower the medical expense and incidence of postoperative complications.

Esophagectomy is currently the mainstay of treatment for resectable esophageal carcinoma. Gastric grafts are the first substitutes in esophageal reconstruction. According to the different tailoring methods applied to the stomach, gastric grafts can be classified as whole stomach, subtotal stomach and gastric tube. Gastric-tube placement has been proven to be the preferred method, with advantages in terms of postoperative complications and long-term survival. In recent years, several novel methods involving special-shaped gastric tubes have been proposed, which have further decreased the incidence of perioperative complications. This article will review the progress and clinical application status of different types of gastric grafts from the perspectives of preparation methods, studies of anatomy and perioperative outcomes, existing problems and future outlook.