Abstract
Background
Outcomes following oesophagectomy for oesophageal cancer continue to improve, but complications are common and can result in significant morbidity. Post-operative complications are known to impact upon peri-operative and short-term survival but the effect on long-term survival remains unclear. The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of post-operative complications on long-term survival following oesophagectomy.
Methods
A contemporaneously maintained database from a single centre was reviewed. All patients who underwent oesophagectomy between January 2010 and January 2019 were included. Patients were separated into three groups, those who experienced no or very minor complications (Clavien-Dindo 0 or 1), minor complications (Clavien-Dindo 2), and major complications (Clavien-Dindo 3-4). Those who died during the index hospital admission were excluded to correct for short-term mortality effects. Overall survival was analysed using Kaplan-Meier and log rank testing.
Results
Seven hundred and twenty-three patients underwent oesophagectomy during this time. Seventeen (2.4%) died during their index hospital stay, and were excluded from the survival analysis. The 30- and 90- day mortality was 1.1% (8/723) and 2.4% (17/723) respectively. There were 43.2% (305/706), 30.2% (213/706) and 26.6% (188/706) in the Clavien-Dindo 0-1, Clavien-Dindo 2, and Clavien-Dindo 3-4 group respectively.
Median survival across the three groups was equivalent (50, 57 and 51 months). Across all three groups, overall long-term survival rates were equivalent at 1 (87.5%, 84.9%, 83.5%), 5 (44.2%, 48.9%, 44.7%) and 10 years (36.7%, 36.0%, 36.7%) (p = 0.730).
Conclusions
Long term survival is not affected by complications, irrespective of severity, following oesophagectomy.
P-OGC10 Long-term survival is not affected by complications after oesophagectomy
