Abstract
Background
For patients with locally advanced esophageal cancer, radical esophageal resection with gastric tube reconstruction preceded by chemo(radio)therapy offers the best chance for cure. Anastomotic leakage (AL) is one of the most severe complications following esophageal surgery, leading to significant morbidity, prolonged hospital stay, considerable costs, decreased quality of life and increased mortality. Management is complicated and not standardized. The objective is to gain insight into the different opinions on AL management among upper gastrointestinal surgeons and to verify the need for a diagnostic and treatment guideline.
Methods
Surgeons with particular interest in esophageal surgery, were invited to participate in an online questionnaire. The survey consisted of questions pertaining to the surgeons’ experience, operation characteristics, management routine and their opinion on international guidelines on the diagnosis and therapy of AL.
Results
Of the 331 invited physicians, 40% participated in the survey. 90.7% Use laboratory diagnostics and 62.8% imaging and/or endoscopy postoperatively on routine basis. In case of suspected AL, the first choice of diagnostic imaging modalities was mostly a CT scan (35.7%) or a dynamic swallow investigation (33.3%). In case of AL, indepently of the clincal manifestations (local symptoms only, medianstinal manifestations or In case of gastric conduit necrosis) the treatment strategies differed widely between surgeons (table 1). Over 70% of the responders agree that there is a need for a solid international guideline on AL management.
Conclusion
There is no general consensus in the management of AL. There is a need for an international guideline regarding the optimal management of AL.
Disclosure
All authors have declared no conflicts of interest.
Cervical or Thoracic Anastomosis After Esophageal Resection and Gastric Tube Reconstruction
