ObjectivesTo compare the clinical efficacy of different surgical thoracic duct management on prevention of postoperative chylothorax and its impact on the outcome of the patients. MethodsWe searched the electronic databases including PubMed, The Cochrane Library (Issue 4, 2016), Web of Science, CBM, CNKI, VIP and WanFang Data to collect randomized controlled trials (RCTs), cohort studies and case-control studies related to the comparison of different surgical thoracic duct management during esophagectomy on prevention of postoperative chylothorax from inception to May 2016. Two reviewers independently screened literature, extracted data and assessed the risk of bias of included studies. Then RevMan 5.2 software was used for meta-analysis. ResultsTwenty-three trials were included, involving four RCTs, four cohort studies and 15 case-control studies. The results of meta-analysis indicated:(1) Prophylactic thoracic duct ligation group had lower incidence of postoperative chylothorax compared with non thoracoic duct ligation group (RCT:OR=0.20, 95%CI 0.09 to 0.47, P=0.000 02; Co/CC:OR=0.20, 95%CI 0.14 to 0.28, P<0.000 01); (2) There were no significant differences between the two groups in the respect of mortality, morbidity and the 2-year, 3-year, 5-year survival rates (all P values >0.05); (3) Prophylactic thoracic duct ligation could reduce the reoperation rate of chylothorax complicating esophageal cancer patients (RCT:OR=0.17, 95%CI 0.10 to 0.28, P<0.000 01; Co/CC:OR=0.18, 95%CI to 0.11 to 0.32, P<0.000 01), and increase the cure rate of expectant treatment on them (OR=0.25, 95%CI 0.11 to 0.56, P=0.000 8); (4) En bloc thoracic duct ligation group had a lower incidence of postoperative chylothorax compared with single thoracic duct ligation group (OR=3.67, 95%CI 1.43 to 9.43, P=0.007). ConclusionProphylactic thoracic duct ligation during esophagectomy could effectively reduce the incidence of postoperative chylothorax and is good for reducing the reoperation rate of chylothorax complicating esophageal cancer patients. En bloc thoracic duct ligation has a better efficacy on prevention of postoperative chylothorax compared with single thoracic duct ligation.
Esophageal cancer is a common gastrointestinal cancer，and the incidence in China is the highest in the world. Esophagectomy represents the gold standard for patients with resectable esophageal cancer，but postoperative morbidity and mortality rates remain high. In recent years，there have been many reports on the pathogenesis of morbidity and mortality after esophagectomy without reaching any concrete conclusion. This review focuses on the pathogenesis，prophylaxis and therapeuticsof pulmonary infection after esophageal cancer resection．
Objective To classify the postoperative complications (POCs) in patients receiving esophagectomy and find risk factors of different grades of complications. Methods We retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of 298 patients with esophageal cancer who underwent esophagectomy from January 2012 to August 2015 in our hospital. According to the postoperative complications, they were divided into two groups: the complication group (n=113) and the non-complication group (n=185). In the complications group, there were 86 males and 27 females with an average age of 61.42±7.81 years. There were 150 males and 35 females with an average age of 60.39±7.76 years in the non-complication group. The POCs were classified by Clavien-Dindo system. All possible factors influencing the occurrence of grade Ⅱ-Ⅴ POCs were analyzed. Univariate and multivariate analyses were used for seeking independent risk factors of POCs. Results The incidence of grade Ⅱ POCs was 29.87% (89/298), 5.37% (16/298) for grade Ⅲ and 2.68% (8/298) for grade Ⅳ and Ⅴ. The most common POC was lung infection with the incidence of 13.76%. Univariate and multivariate analyses showed the operation duration and the number of lymph node dissection were the independent risk factors of grade Ⅱ-Ⅴ POCs. Conclusion Postoperative lung infection is the major complication in patients receiving esophagectomy. The operation duration and the number of lymph node dissection are the independent risk factors of grade Ⅱ-Ⅴ POCs.
Objective To determine if laparoscopic assisted Ivor-Lewis cervical stapled esophagogastrostomy via a minor subaxillary incising enables better perioperative and medium-term outcome than Ivor-Lewis cervical stapled esophagogastrostomy via thorax for middle esophageal carcinoma without intumescent lymphnode of neck. Methods The perioperative and medium-term outcome of a series of 55 patients underwent Ivor-Lewis cervical stapled esophagogas-trostomy via thorax between April 2010 and December 2012 were as a historic cohort (group A, 36 males, 19 females at age of 65±8 years). And 46 patients underwent laparoscopic assisted Ivor-Lewis cervical stapled esophagogastrostomy via a minor subaxillary incising between January 2013 and March 2015 were as a prospective cohort (group B, 31males, 15 females at age of 66±7 years). Perioperative indexes, lymphadenectomy, and result at end of one year following up were compared. Results Compared with group A, there was shorter thoracic operation time (t=5.94, P < 0.05), shorter time of restored anus exhaust (t=2.08, P < 0.05), less pulmonary complication (χ2=3.08, P < 0.05) and less total perioperative complications (χ2=4.30, P < 0.05), shorter postoperative hospital stay (t=3.20, P < 0.05) in the group B. While no statistically significant difference was found between the two group in postoperative morbidity of circulation or digestive and associated with surgical techniques (all P>0.05), lymph node metastasis rate of cervico-thoracic (include cervical paraesophageal) or mediastinum or abdominal cavity (χ2=0.03, 0.15, 0.08, all P>0.05), lymph node ratio (LNR) of cervical thoracic (include cervical paraesophageal) or mediastinum or abdominal cavity (χ2=0.01,0.71, 0.01, all P>0.05), recurrence rate of tumour (χ2=0.04, P>0.05), or survival rate (χ2=0.13, P>0.05) one year after the surgery. Conclusion Laparoscopic assisted Ivor-Lewis cervical stapled esophagogastrostomy via a minor subaxillary incising is a more rational surgery of cervicothoracic and cervical paraesophageal lymph nodes dissection via intrathoracic instead of cervical approach for middle esophageal carcinoma.
Abstract: Due to complicated procedures and severe trauma, esophagectomy still remains an operation with high mortality and morbidity. With the advancement of anesthetic and surgical technique, as well as perioperative management, the mortality and morbidity after esophagectomy decreased significantly in recent years. The optimal perioperative management, normalized and individualized treatment was of importance in preventing postoperative complications and decreasing mortality after esophagectomy. This review summarizes the current state of perioperative management for esophagectomy.
Barrett’s esophagus is considered an important risk factor for the pathogenesis of esophageal adenocarcinoma. Treatment strategies for diseases from high-grade dysplasia （HGD） to adenocarcinoma are different. The recurrence rates of endoscopic treatment and anti-reflux surgery are comparatively higher. Abnormal lesions of the esophagus can be completely resected by esophagectomy for the treatment of HGD to adenocarcinoma, and treatment outcomes are confirmed.But appropriate surgical strategies and lymph node dissection scopes should be chosen according to different cancer staging.Lymph node metastasis is a major factor in determining prognosis.
Objective To summarize the experiences of applying gastric tube in minimally invasive esophagectomy (MIE), in order to assess its feasibility and safety. [WTHZ]Methods From June 2004 to August 2009, MIE was performed on 102 patients with esophageal carcinoma, including 71 males and 31 females whose age ranged from 37 to 79 years old with an average age of 61.1. Among them, 62 patients underwent thoracoscopic laparotomy 3-incision esophagectomy, 35 patients underwent thoracoscopic and laparoscopic 3-incision esophagectomy and 5 patients underwent thoracotomy and laparoscopic esophagectomy. Prevertebral reconstruction was performed on 58 patients and retrosternal reconstruction was performed on 44 patients. [WTHZ]Results All operations were performed successfully with a perioperative mortality rate of 2.0%(2/102) and a postoperative complication rate of 41.2%(42/102). The complications included anastomotic leakage, anastomotic stricture and lung infection. The complication rate was higher in the retrosternal group than in the prevertebral group (56.8% vs. 29.3%, Plt;0.05). Anastomotic leakage rate in the retrosternal group was also higher than that in the prevertebral group (34.1% vs. 6.9%, Plt;0.05). There was no significant difference in anastomotic stenosis, gastric fistula, dysfunction of gastric emptying, heart and lung complications, chylothorax and injury of recurrent laryngeal nerve between the two groups. [WTHZ]Conclusion Gastric tube is an effective way for reconstruction of the digestive tract after minimally invasive esophagectomy. The choice of prevertebral reconstruction or retrosternal reconstruction should be based on each individual patient.
Abstract： Objective To investigate the clinical application of tubular stomach in cervical esophageal reconstruction after esophagectomy for esophageal cancer. Methods A total of 850 patients with esophageal cancer who underwent esophagectomy through cervico-thoraco-abdominal（3-field）approach between January 2007 and January 2009 in North Jiangsu Hospital were allocated into the tubular stomach group（group A, n=425） and the whole stomach group （group B, n=425）by operation order. Group A included 287 male and 138 female patients with their average age of 58.2±11.5 years. Among them, 27 patients had upper esophageal cancer, 346 patients had middle esophageal cancer and 52 patients had lower esophageal cancer. Group B included 298 male and 127 female patients with their average age of 58.5±12.8 years. Among them, 33 patients had upper esophageal cancer, 338 patients had middle esophageal cancer, and 54 patients had lower esophageal cancer. Operation time, postoperative length of hospital stay and the incidence of anastomotic leakage, anastomotic stricture, intra-thoracic stomach syndrome and reflux esophagitis of the two groups were compared. Results All the patients recovered uneventfully with no in-hospital death. There was no statistical difference in operation time （175.0±12.8 min vs.171.0±10.5 min，t=1.702，P＞ 0.05）and postoperative length of hospital stay （16.0±8.5 d vs.16.3±8.8 d，t=1.773，P＞ 0.05） between the two groups. During follow-up of six months, the rates of anastomotic leakage（χ2=5.550，P＜ 0.05）, intra-thoracic stomach syndrome （χ2=10.500，P＜ 0.05）and reflux esophagitis（χ2=9.150，P＜ 0.05） of group A were significantly lower than those of group B. There was no significant difference in the incidence of anastomotic stricture （χ2=0.120，P＞ 0.05） between the two groups. Conclusion Tubular stomach is better than whole stomach for cervical esophageal reconstruction after esophagectomy for esophageal cancer since it is more physiologically and anatomically complied. It can decrease the incidence of anastomotic leakage, intra-thoracic stomach syndrome, reflux esophagitis and improve the postoperative quality of life.
ObjectiveTo investigate the impact of thoracic duct ligation (TDL) on metabolism and postoperative complications during esophagectomy in patients with type-2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).MethodsWe conducted a retrospective clinical data analysis of 230 esophageal carcinoma patients with T2DM who underwent esophagectomy in our hospital from January 2003 to December 2018. Patients were divided into a TDL+ group (n=112), including 78 males and 34 females aged 63.47±7.23 years, and a TDL– group (n=118), including 84 males and 34 females aged 64.38±7.57 years. We compared the blood glucose, liver function parameters and lipid metabolic parameters at different time points before and after surgery. In addition, we compared the postoperative major complications between the two groups. Propensity score-matched (PSM) was used to control the observed confounders.ResultsCompared with the TDL– group, patients in TDL+ group had higher blood glucose level (P<0.05, except the fourth postoperative day). The total protein and albumin levels on the first and fourth postoperative days in the TDL+ group were lower than those in the TDL– group (P<0.05). The alanine transaminase (P=0.027) and aspartate transaminase (P=0.007) levels on the fourth postoperative day in the TDL+ group were higher than those in the TDL– group. More pulmonary complications (P=0.014) and anastomotic leaks (P=0.047) were found in the TDL+ group.ConclusionGiven that TDL may aggravate metabolic disorders, increase anastomotic leaks and the pulmonary complications, it is cautious to perform TDL, and prophylactic TDL should not be performed routinely for patients with T2DM.
Esophagectomy and extensive lymphadenectomy still remain effective treatment strategies for patients with resectable esophageal carcinoma (EC). However,traditional esophagectomy is performed via open approaches and associated with significant postoperative morbidity and mortality. In order to reduce morbidity and mortality after esophagectomy,various minimally invasive techniques have been introduced to esophagectomy by many medical centers,and minimally invasive esophagectomy (MIE) has been widely developed in thoracic surgery. MIE has been proven to be a safe and feasible approach for the treatment of EC. Compared with open esophagectomy,MIE can reduce surgical blood loss,achieve complete and standardized tumor resection and lymph node dissection,and obtain equivalent long-term survival results. However,there are still controversies in some aspects of MIE for the treatment of EC,and the superiority of MIE has not been fully demonstrated. In this review,we focus on five aspects of MIE for the treatment of EC,including MIE techniques,perioperative outcomes,completeness and standard of tumor resection,long-term survival results and current problems.