400. MODIFICATION OF THE LESSER CURVATURE INCISION ENHANCES GASTRIC CONDUIT BLOOD FLOW AND DECREASE ANASTOMOTIC LEAKAGE RISK AFTER ESOPHAGECTOMY

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Abstract Background We conducted this study to investigate the effectiveness of a modified incision line on the lesser curvature for gastric conduit formation during esophagectomy in enhancing the perfusion of the gastric conduit, as determined by indocyanine green (ICG) fluorescence imaging, and reducing the incidence of anastomotic leakage. Methods A total of 272 patients who underwent esophagectomy at our institution between June 2014 and August 2022 were enrolled in the study. The patients were divided into two groups in accordance with the type of cutline on the lesser curvature: the Conventional group, consisting of patients operated on until 2018 (Conventional group; n = 141), in which the traditional cutline (5.0 cm from the pylorus in routine) was adopted, and the Current group, consisting of patients operated on from 2019 until date (Current group; n = 131), in which a modified cutline on the lesser curvature was adopted, that allowed preservation of the entire right gastric artery was adopted (hereinafter, modified cutline) was adopted. Gastric conduit perfusion during the surgery was assessed by intraoperative ICG fluorescence imaging, and the clinical outcomes after esophagectomy were also evaluated. Results All patients underwent esophagectomy with regional lymph node dissection and gastric conduit reconstruction via the retrosternal route. The distance from the pylorus to the cutline was significantly longer in the Current group as compared with the Conv group (median: 9.0 cm vs. 5.0 cm, p < 0.001). The blood flow speed in the gastric conduit wall assessed by ICG fluorescence imaging was significantly higher in the Current group than that in the Conventional group (median: 2.81 cm/sec vs. 2.54 cm/sec, p = 0.001). Furthermore, the incidence of anastomotic leakage was significantly lower (p = 0.024) and the hospital stay significantly shorter (p < 0.001) in the Current group as compared with the Conventional group. Logistic regression analysis using the data of the entire cohort identified the blood flow velocity in the gastric conduit wall as the only variable that was significantly (negatively) associated with anastomotic leakage. Conclusions ICG fluorescence imaging is a feasible, reliable method for intraoperative assessment of gastric conduit perfusion. Use of the modified lesser curvature cutline could enhance gastric conduit perfusion, promote blood circulation around the anastomosis and ultimately reduce the risk of anastomotic leakage after esophagectomy.