McKeown esophagectomy with concomitant median arcuate ligament release in a case of esophageal cancer with celiac artery stenosis

Background The celiac artery stenosis due to compression by median arcuate ligament (MAL) has been reported in many cases of pancreaticoduodenectomy, but not in cases of esophagectomy. Recently, the celiac artery stenosis due to MAL or arteriosclerosis has been reported to be associated with the gastric tube necrosis or anastomotic leakage following Ivor–Lewis esophagectomy. Herein, we present the first reported case of esophageal cancer with celiac artery stenosis due to compression by the MAL successfully treated by McKeown esophagectomy and gastric tube reconstruction following prophylactic MAL release. Case presentation A 72-year-old female patient was referred to our department for esophagectomy. The patient had received two courses of neoadjuvant chemotherapy with 5-FU and cisplatin for T2N0M0 squamous cell carcinoma of the middle esophagus. Preoperative contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CECT) showed celiac artery stenosis due to compression by the MAL. The development of collateral arteries around the pancreatic head was observed without evidence of aneurysm formation. The patient reported no abdominal symptoms. After robot-assisted esophagectomy with mediastinal lymphadenectomy, gastric mobilization, supra-pancreatic lymphadenectomy, and preparation of the gastric tube were performed under laparotomy. Subsequently, the MAL was cut, and released to expose the celiac artery. Improved celiac artery blood flow was confirmed by decreased pulsatility index on intraoperative Doppler sonography. The operation was completed with the cervical esophagogastric anastomosis following cervical lymphadenectomy. Postoperative CECT on postoperative day 7 demonstrated increased celiac artery patency. The patient had an uncomplicated postoperative course thereafter. Conclusions Prophylactic MAL release may be considered in patients with celiac artery stenosis due to compression by the MAL on preoperative CECT for esophagectomy.

Case Report: Discontinuous Spontaneous Ventilating Anesthesia for McKeown Esophagectomy by Laryngeal Mask: A Case Series—A Novel Approach of Discontinuous Spontaneous Ventilating Anesthesia for Esophagectomy

Double lumen endobronchial ventilation in McKeown esophagectomy is common for esophageal cancer. In spite of most patients could be extubated immediately after surgery under adequate multimodal analgesia, still some patients require extended mechanical ventilation or airway support post-surgery because of pain or difficult respiration. The present study reported a novel challenge for McKeown esophagectomy with discontinuous spontaneous ventilating anesthesia by the laryngeal mask. Three esophageal cancer patients underwent McKeown esophagectomy under discontinuous spontaneous ventilating anesthesia with local and regional analgesia and appropriate sedation. Two of them were accomplished under non-intubated video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (NIVATS), and then, the abdominal and neck surgery was managed under laryngeal mask airway with appropriate muscle relaxation. One patient was endured high PetCO2 level, and converted to regular double lumen endobronchial intubation for safety. However, from the two successful cases, we still proved that the discontinuous spontaneous ventilating anesthesia achieved the same anesthetic effect as bronchial intubation under general anesthesia for McKeown esophagectomy, which reduced the postoperative pharyngeal discomfort, might be beneficial to the patients for enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS).

Application of intraoperative nerve monitoring for recurrent laryngeal nerves in minimally invasive McKeown esophagectomy

Background Mediastinal lymphadenectomy is of great importance during esophagectomy for esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. However, recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) injury is a severe complication caused by lymphadenectomy along the RLN. Intraoperative nerve monitoring (IONM) can effectively identify the RLN and reduce the incidence of postoperative vocal cord paralysis (VCP). Here, we describe the feasibility and effectiveness of IONM in minimally invasive McKeown esophagectomy. Methods A total of 150 patients who underwent minimally invasive McKeown esophagectomy from 2016 to 2020 were enrolled in this study. We divided the patients into two groups: a neuromonitoring group (IONM, n = 70) and a control group (control, n = 80). Clinical data, surgical variables, and postoperative complications were retrospectively analyzed and compared. Results There was no significant difference in baseline data between the two groups. Postoperative VCP occurred in six cases (8.6%) in the IONM group, which was lower than that in the control group (21.3%, P = 0.032). Postoperative pulmonary complications were found in five cases (7.1%) and 14 in the control group (18.8%, P = 0.037). The postoperative hospital stay in the IONM group was significantly shorter than that in the control group (8 vs. 12, median, P < 0.001). The number of RLN lymph nodes harvested in the IONM group was higher than that in the control group (13.74 ± 5.77 vs. 11.03 ± 5.78, P = 0.005). The sensitivity and specificity of IONM monitoring VCP were 83.8% and 100%, respectively. A total of 66.7% of patients with a reduction in signal showed transient VCP, whereas 100% with a loss of signal showed permanent VCP. Conclusion IONM is feasible in minimally invasive McKeown esophagectomy. It showed advantages for distinguishing RLN and achieving thorough mediastinal lymphadenectomy with less RLN injury. Abnormal IONM signals can provide an accurate prediction of postoperative VCP incidence.

663 QUANTITATIVE PERFUSION ASSESSMENT TO PREDICT ANASTOMOTIC LEAK AFTER ESOPHAGECTOMY

Impaired gastric conduit perfusion is a risk factor for anastomotic leak after esophagectomy. Most studies evaluating conduit perfusion have been qualitative with limited impact on post-operative care. The aim of this study is to evaluate the feasibility of intraoperative quantitative assessment of gastric conduit perfusion with indocyanine green (ICG) fluorescence angiography as a predictor for cervical esophagogastric anastomotic (CEGA) leak after esophagectomy. Methods ICG fluorescence angiography using the SPY elite® (Stryker, MI, USA) system was performed in patients who had undergone a transhiatal or McKeown esophagectomy CEGA from July 2015 through December 2020. Fluorescence angiography assessed Ingress (dye uptake) and Egress (dye exit). Ingress Index, Ingress Time, Egress Index, and Egress Time at two anatomic landmarks (tip of the conduit, and 5 cm from tip) were calculated from the measured curve of fluorescence (Figure). The collected data between the leak (L) group and the no-leak (NL) group were compared by both univariate and multivariable analyses to analyze risk factors potentially associated with CEGA leak. Results 304 patients were evaluated. There was no significant difference in patients' demographic and post-operative complications between the groups (L n = 73; NL n = 231), except for anastomotic stricture (42.5 vs 9.1%, p < 0.01). 5 cm and Tip Ingress Index were significantly lower in L (35.0 vs 45.1% and 17.4 vs 25.7%, p < 0.01). 5 cm Ingress Time was significantly higher in L (70.6 vs 56.8 sec, p < 0.01). On multivariable analysis, these variables retained statistical significance, suggesting that these three variables can be used to predict future leak. Conclusion This study revealed that gastric conduit perfusion correlates with the incidence of CEGA leak. Intraoperative measurement of gastric conduit perfusion may be predictive for CEGA leak following esophagectomy. These variables can be easily collected intraoperatively with the SPY study and used to make clinical decisions which may avert CEGA leak.

130 SEVERITY OF ANASTOMOTIC LEAKAGE AFTER DIFFERENT TYPES OF ESOPHAGECTOMY: A NATIONWIDE COHORT STUDY

Orringer, McKeown and Ivor Lewis esophagectomy are the most commonly performed procedures for esophageal and gastro-esophageal junction cancer. Anastomotic leakage remains a major problem after all types of esophagectomy and it is currently unknown whether anastomotic leakage severity is different between the types of esophagectomy. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between surgical techniques and the severity of anastomotic leakage in patients after Orringer esophagectomy, McKeown esophagectomy or Ivor Lewis esophagectomy. Methods All esophageal and gastro-esophageal junction cancer patients with anastomotic leakage after Orringer, McKeown or Ivor Lewis esophagectomy between 2011 and 2019 were selected from the Dutch Upper Gastrointestinal Cancer Audit (DUCA). The primary outcome parameter was a composite endpoint of reoperation, intensive care unit (ICU) readmission and 30-day/in-hospital mortality. Secondary outcome parameters included postoperative complications, re-intervention rate, ICU and hospital length of stay. Results Data from 1034 patients with anastomotic leakage after Orringer (n = 287), McKeown (n = 397) and Ivor Lewis esophagectomy (n = 346) were evaluated. The primary endpoint occurred in 36.3% of patients with anastomotic leakage after Orringer esophagectomy, in 55.4% of patients with anastomotic leakage after McKeown esophagectomy and in 61.2% of patients with anastomotic leakage after Ivor Lewis esophagectomy (p < 0.001). When adjusting for potential confounding variables, the sequelae of anastomotic leakage after Orringer and McKeown esophagectomy remained less severe compared to anastomotic leakage after Ivor Lewis esophagectomy (OR 0.28, 95% CI 0.20–0.41, p < 0.001 and OR 0.71, 95% CI 0.52–0.97, p = 0.031, respectively). Conclusion Consequences of anastomotic leakage are most severe after Ivor Lewis esophagectomy, moderately severe after McKeown esophagectomy and least severe after Orringer esophagectomy. This study demonstrated that not only the incidence, but also the severity of anastomotic leakage should be considered in current clinical practice and in studies that compare leakage rates between different surgical techniques of esophagectomy.