Proximal Resection Margin in Ivor-Lewis Oesophagectomy for Cancer.

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate whether a long proximal oesophageal resection margin (PRM) is associated with improved survival after oesophagectomy for cancer and to identify the optimal margin to aim for in this patient group. A prospectively maintained database identified 174 patients who underwent Ivor-Lewis oesophagectomy for cancer. Demographic, clinical, and pathological data were collected. X-tile software was used to identify the optimal resection point. Two models were analysed: single point resection with comparison of two groups (short and long), and two resection points with three groups (short, medium, and long) to provide a range. The median PRM was 4.0cm (interquartile range: 2.5-6.0cm). After adjustment for significant confounders, multivariable Cox PH analysis demonstrated that the optimal resection margin was 1.7cm, and in the three-group analysis the optimum PRM was between 1.7 and 3cm. In the two-group analysis, the long margin had no effect on DFS (p=0.37), but carried a significantly improved overall survival (hazard ratio [HR]=0.46, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.25-0.87, p=0.02). In the three-group analysis, the medium and long groups had improved OS compared with the short group (on average 54%, HR≥0.45, p≤0.04). The 5-year disease-free and overall survival rates were highest in the medium PRM group (48 and 57% respectively). Optimal survival following oesophagectomy for cancer is achieved with a PRM>1.7cm, but a PRM>3cm does not yield a further survival advantage. Thus, the optimal PRM is likely to be between 1.7 and 3cm.