OGC P25 Impact of minimally-invasive oesophagectomy on post-operative analgesia and surrogate outcomes

Abstract

Abstract Background Minimally invasive oesophagectomy (MIO) via either two (MIO2) or three phases (MIO3) has been proposed to reduce post-operative pain and correspondingly improve patient recovery compared to open Ivor-lewis (ILO), Left thoracoabdominal oesophagectomy (LTA) or hybrid-ILO (lap abdomen, open thoracotomy). The primary aim of this study was to audit analgesia outcomes according to surgical approach via maximum daily pain score, daily and total post-operative opiate usage. Secondary outcomes included return of GI function, mobility, and rates of post-operative pneumonia, escalation in ward care or re-intubation due to respiratory failure. Methods Retrospective review of records from consecutive patients undergoing oesophagectomy at a single tertiary centre between January 2015 and December 2022. Post-operative analgesia consisted of thoracic epidural and patient controlled analgesia (PCA) for patients undergoing thoracotomy and PCA+/- paravertebral analgesia for those undergoing MIO. Patients remaining ventilated due to early post-operative complications were excluded from analysis. Opioid usage was converted to oral morphine equivalents for comparison. Patient mobility was prospectively recorded by a physiotherapist using the Manchester Mobility Score (MMS). Pneumonia was defined as either rising inflammatory makers or fever and any new respiratory symptom, oxygen requirement or pulmonary imaging changes. Results Of a total 328 eligible patients, 225 underwent open oesophagectomy, 80 MIO, and 23 hybrid-ILO. Pain scores were similar on post-operative day 0-5 across approaches. MIO was associated with a significantly lower median total opioid usage (MIO2-624mg, MIO3-720mg) compared to open (ILO-1608mg, LTA-1984mg ) and hybrid-ILO-1977mg (P<0.001). There was no significant difference in pneumonia, escalation or reintubation rates between the different approaches. MIO was associated with an earlier return of bowel function (P<0.001) and patients undergoing MIO achieved the maximum MMS score earlier than those undergoing thoracotomy (P<0.001). Conclusions Equivalent post-operative analgesia can be achieved between open and minimally invasive oesophagectomy when multimodal approaches including epidural anaesthesia are employed. MIO is however, associated with an approximately threefold reduction in opiate use with corresponding earlier return of gut function, and improved post-operative mobility compared to ILO, LTA or hybrid-ILO. Where feasible and can safely be employed, suitable patients may benefit from a minimally invasive oesophagectomy over open or hybrid approaches as part of an enhanced recovery pathway supported by a multidisciplinary team.