PS02.209: PROGNOSTIC VALUE OF CHEST-TUBE AMYLASE IN DETECTING EARLY ANASTOMOTIC LEAKAGE AFTER IVOR-LEWIS ESOPHAGECTOMY

Abstract

Abstract Background Intrathoracic anastomotic leaks after esophagectomy are a significant cause of postoperative morbidity and death. Early detection and timely management is crucial but existing diagnostic methods are either invasive or have a low sensitivity. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of daily drain amylase levels in detecting early anastomotic leaks after Ivor-Lewis esophagectomy compared with C-Reactive Protein (CRP) levels. Methods Between June 2015 and September 2017, 126 Ivor-Lewis esophagectomies for cancer were performed in our surgical department. In 80 of these patients, drain amylase levels were collected as long a right-sided chest-tube was in place. Chest-tubes were removed at a secretion volume < 300 ml/24 h. CRP levels were measured daily. If bile was detected in the chest-tube and/or after re-exploration of the chest, no further data were collected. Early anastomotic leaks were defined as occurring as long as the chest tubes were in site, in the mean the 5th postoperative day (POD). According to the collected data, drain amylase levels > 350 U/l, and CRP > 30 mg/dl were considered positive. Sensitivity and specificity in detecting anastomotic insufficiency for both drain amylase and CRP were calculated. Results A clinically significant anastomotic leak occurred in 7,1% (9/126) of all esophagectomy patients with 0,8% (1/126) postoperative 30-days mortality. An early anastomotic disruption occurred in 4 of the 80 analysed patients. Three of them had a positive chest-drain amylase level and none a positive CRP level on POD1. The same three patients had on POD 2 a positive CRP level or presented bile in the chest-tube. The fourth patient presented at POD 2 bile in the chest tubes. On POD 1 he presented neither positive amylase nor CRP. The sensitivity and specificity for drain amylase and CRP within the first 3 POD was 0,75 and 0,98 vs 0,75 and 0,85 respectively. The accuracy for both amylase and CRP were calculated at 0,97 vs 0,85. Conclusion Chest-tube amylase levels after Ivor-Lewis esophagectomy are more accurate for the detection of early esophageal anastomotic leaks than CRP. This could facilitate early detection of anastomotic leaks up to 24 hours earlier than elevated blood CRP levels. Disclosure All authors have declared no conflicts of interest.