P-OGC70 Chyle leak management and long-term survival post esophagectomy for oesophageal cancer

Abstract

Abstract Background Chyle leak can be a serious complication following oesophagal cancer resection. The aim of this study is to determine the rate of chyle leak, its management and impact on short-term surgical outcomes and overall long-term survival. Methods Analysis of a prospectively maintained database of patients undergoing esophagectomy for oesophagal cancer between January 2011 and April 2019 were undertaken. Short term and survival comparisons were made between the chyle leak and non-chyle leak groups. Results A total of 190 patients underwent esophagectomy at our hospital over this time period, of whom 3.7% (n = 7/190) had a chyle leak. The length of stay was longer in the chyle leak group (27 days, IQR 13-55 vs 12 days, IQR 11-14 days, P=0.001), they had a higher rate of return to theatre (42.9% vs 8.8%, P = 0.003) and higher rate of overall mortality (57.1% vs 35.0%, p = 0.039) compared to the non-leak group. They also experienced worse survival ( 9.0 months, 95% CI 5.5-12.4 vs 66 months, 95% CI 59.6-73.6, P = 0.001). Conclusions Chyle leak can occur in approximately 1 in 25 patients and is associated with prolonged intensive therapy unit stay, higher risk of return to theatre as well as a lower overall cancer survival.