Esophagojejunal Anastomotic Leakage Research Articles

Risk Factors for Esophagojejunal Anastomotic Leakage in Gastric Cancer Patients after Total Gastrectomy.

Leakage at the esophagojejunal anastomosis site is an important postoperative complication of total gastrectomy. We analyzed our surgical cases to determine the risk factors for esophagojejunal anastomotic leakage. This study included 309 patients who underwent total gastrectomy and esophagojejunal anastomosis. The onset of esophagojejunal anastomotic leakage according to age, gender, performance status, American Society of Anesthesiologists classification, body mass index, presence or absence of diabetes, invasion depth, lymph node metastasis, histological type, presence or absence of esophageal infiltration, operative duration, amount of blood loss, experience of blood transfusion, procedural approach, and the prognostic nutritional index was analyzed. Univariate analyses revealed a significant difference in the rate of esophagojejunal anastomotic leakage due to advanced age, male gender, the presence of diabetes, the presence of esophageal infiltration, and blood loss ≥1,100 g. In the multivariate analysis, which included factors identified in the univariate analyses, advanced age, male gender, the presence of diabetes, and blood loss ≥1,100 g were identified as independent risk factors for esophagojejunal anastomotic leakage. Advanced age (≥68 years), male gender, diabetes, and massive blood loss are risk factors for esophagojejunal anastomotic leakage.

Short-term outcomes of a new gastrointestinal decompression tube combined with conservative treatment in patients with esophagojejunal anastomotic leakage after total gastrectomy.

To compare the short-term outcomes of a new gastrointestinal decompression tube combined with conservative treatment in patients with esophagojejunal anastomotic leakage (EJAL) after total gastrectomy. We retrospectively analyzed the data of 81 patients with EJAL who had undergone total gastrectomy and Roux-en-Y reconstruction at Fujian Medical University Union Hospital between January 2014 and December 2021. The patients were divided into experimental (12 patients with new gastrointestinal decompression tube plus conservative treatment) and control (69 patients with conservative treatment) groups, according to the different treatment methods they received. Anatomic defect size linearly correlated with time to clinical success, hospital stay, and hospital cost in the control group. The two groups showed no significant differences in anastomotic defect size, time of defect after surgery, hospitalization cost, and time of antibiotic use. However, the time to clinical success was significantly shorter in the experimental group than in the control group (16.0 ± 8.3 vs. 23.6 ± 17.8, P = 0.04), as was the length of hospital stay (30.1 ± 6.3 vs. 36.8 ± 16.7, P = 0.017). Furthermore, when the defect size was ≥ 4mm, the time to clinical success, hospital stay, and hospital cost in the experimental group were lower than those in the control group (P < 0.05). Placement of a new gastrointestinal decompression tube is a safe treatment. When the defect size is ≥ 4mm, the time to clinical success, length of hospital stay, and hospital cost can be reduced.

Predictive Factors for Anastomotic Leakage after Laparoscopic and Open Total Gastrectomy: A Systematic Review.

The aim of this systematic review is to identify patient-related, perioperative and technical risk factors for esophago-jejunal anastomotic leakage (EJAL) in patients undergoing total gastrectomy for gastric cancer (GC). A comprehensive literature search of PubMed/MEDLINE, Embase and Scopus databases was performed. Studies providing factors predictive of EJAL by uni- and multivariate analysis or an estimate of association between EJAL and related risk factors were included. All studies were assessed for methodological quality, and a narrative synthesis of the results was performed. A total of 16 studies were included in the systematic review, with a total of 42,489 patients who underwent gastrectomy with esophago-jejunal anastomosis. Age, BMI, impaired respiratory function, prognostic nutritional index (PNI), alcohol consumption, chronic renal failure, diabetes and mixed-type histology were identified as patient-related risk factors for EJAL at multivariate analysis. Likewise, among operative factors, laparoscopic approach, anastomosis type, additional organ resection, blood loss, intraoperative time and surgeon experience were found to be predictive factors for the development of EJAL. In clinical setting, we are able to identify several risk factors for EJAL. This can improve the recognition of higher-risk patients and their outcomes.

Effect of precise placement of suction drainage on esophagojejunal anastomotic leakage

目的： 报告一种精准放置管腔内负压引流管的方法。 方法： 两例食管胃结合部腺癌患者分别为47岁女性（病例1）和67岁男性（病例2），分别因“上腹部不适3个月”和“上腹部不适1年”于2019年10月和2019年11月就诊于兰州大学第一医院肿瘤外科；胃镜活检病理分别显示为中分化腺癌和低分化腺癌；病例2的CT诊断结果示胃恶性肿瘤伴小网膜囊淋巴结转移。两例患者均行全胃切除术+食管空肠Roux-en-Y吻合术+D2淋巴结清扫术，术中放置腹腔引流管至食管空肠吻合口下方。病例1在术后第5天拔除腹腔引流管，术后第6天拔除鼻肠管，术后第7天出现发热，最高体温40.0℃，术后第8天透视下确定为EJAL，并精准放置漏口内负压引流管，见图3。病例2术后第5天发热，体温38.6℃，腹腔引流液颜色浑浊并分层，约1 000 ml，引流液淀粉酶为13 000 U/L。当天透视下确定为EJAL，同时精准放置漏口内引流管，持续腹腔引流，营养和抗感染治疗。精准放置引流管的方法：透视下放置漏口内负压引流管至尖端离漏口3 cm左右；注入泛影葡胺，精准调整使引流管侧孔靠近漏口，负压吸引。观察指标：观察漏口内引流管引流液的颜色、引流量；观察患者的体温变化；记录抗生素使用时间、漏愈合时间、住院总费用。 结果： 两例患者均顺利完成精准放置漏口内负压引流管，病例1和病例2放置该引流管后分别间断发热6 d和5 d；漏口内引流量第1天分别为300 ml和400 ml，患者2第2天引流量不足200 ml；发生漏后使用抗生素时间分别为10 d和6 d；分别于第24天和第14天诊断为漏口愈合，并恢复饮食；住院总费用分别为61 297元和63 942元。病例1随访30个月，健康状况良好；病例2随访8个月，因肿瘤转移死亡。 结论： 对于EJAL，精准放置漏口内引流管能够较大程度的减少肠液流入腹腔、减轻感染、加快愈合，方法简便且易于推广。.

Postoperative Mortality Rates following Total Gastrectomy for Gastric Cancer: Experience of a Single Surgical Team

Objective: Total gastrectomy is a complex surgical procedure that is characterized by significant postoperative morbidity and mortality rates and the patients may continue to experience adverse events beyond the standard 30-day follow-up period after surgery. The aim of this study is to investigate postoperative complication and 30-day/90-day mortality rates following total gastrectomy in a cohort of patients and highlight the possible ways that can improve the short-term outcome of this surgical procedure.&#x0D; Material and Methods: 401 patients underwent total gastrectomy for gastric carcinoma by a single surgical team from January 2001 till December 2021. The patients stratified in 3 groups based on the time period when surgery was performed, hospital- and treatment-related objective factors: group I (61 patients); group II (163 patients) and group III (177 patients).&#x0D; Results: Esophagojejunal anastomotic leakage rate varied with periods and ranged from 1.1% to 3.3%, 1.7% in total. Differences were insignificant in complication and death rates between the patients aged ≤70 years and &gt; 70 years (p&gt;0.05). Postoperative death rate within 90 days was higher by 42% compared to that in standard 30-day follow-up period. Neaodjuvant chemotherapy was not found to be associated with an increased rate of 30-day postoperative mortality (p&gt;0.05).&#x0D; Conclusion(s): Total gastrectomy for gastric cancer may be associated with minimal rates of esophagojejunal anastomotic leakage and mortality when performed by specialized and experienced high-volume surgeons. 90-day mortality rate after total gastrectomy is 42% higher compared to 30-day mortality that warrants more intense monitoring of the relevant patients within 3 months after surgery.

Application value of overlap guiding tube (OGT) in assisting overlap esophagojejunostomy during laparoscopic total gastrectomy for gastric/gastroesophageal junction (G/GEJ) tumors

BackgroundThe overlap guiding tube (OGT) method, which was designed by our team to assist in overlap esophagojejunostomy, could potentially provide new perspectives for esophagojejunostomy. The application of the OGT-assisted method was first explored by our team and has not yet been reported.MethodsThis cohort study analyzed the 3 month outcomes of 38 gastric/gastroesophageal junction (G/GEJ) tumor patients who underwent OGT-assisted overlap esophagojejunostomy.ResultsThere were 27 males and 11 females, aged 40–82 years. All patients underwent surgery successfully. The success rate of inserting anvil fork into esophageal lumen at first attempt was 97.4%. The total operation time, esophagojejunostomy time, volume of intraoperative blood loss, and length of surgical incision were 317.6 ± 51.5 min, 20.8 ± 3.8 min, 50.0 (range 15.0–200.0) ml, and 5.0 (range 4.0–8.0) cm, respectively. No procedures were converted to other laparoscopic anastomosis techniques or open approaches. The time to postoperative initial flatus, liquid diet intake, soft diet intake, and length of postoperative hospital stay were 3.0 (range 1.0–6.0) days, 4.0 (range 2.0–9.0)days, 6.0 (range 3.0–11.0) days, and 8.5 (range 6.0–16.0) days, respectively. Overall, postoperative complications were observed in 8 (21.1%) patients. Among them, one patients developed esophagojejunal anastomotic leakage. After 3 months of follow-up, none of the patients developed anastomotic stenosis or experienced unplanned secondary surgery or perioperative death.ConclusionsOGT-assisted overlap esophagojejunostomy for patients with G/GEJ tumors is safe and feasible, with good short-term effects. OGT method has a satisfactory success rate of inserting anvil fork into esophageal lumen at first attempt and could prevent from developing esophageal submucosa pseudocanals.

Predictors of anastomotic leak after total gastrectomy in patients with adenocarcinoma.

Esophagojejunal anastomotic leakage (EJAL) is among the most feared complications after gastric cancer surgery; they entail an uncertain prognosis and relate with increased morbidity and mortality. Factors associated with their development are not well determined, and their diagnosis and treatment vary between institutions. Retrospective case-control study of patients operated of total gastrectomy with Roux-en-Y esophagojejunostomy from January 2002 to December 2018. We divided our sample into two groups based on the presence of EJAL, and compared demographic, clinical, and histologic variables. We performed a logistic regression model to search risk factors associated with EJAL and described the management offered in our center. We included 58 patients of which 8 (13.7%) presented clinically relevant EJAL. On the comparative analysis, albumin levels and diffuse histology presented a statistically significant difference between groups and presented association with EJAL in the logistic regression model. Regarding treatment of EJAL, ten patients (55.5%) required only conservative measures, whereas eight patients (44.4%) warranted an endoscopic or surgical intervention. Our retrospective analysis identified some factors that may be associated with the development of EJAL after gastric cancer surgery. High suspicion and prompt identification of this complication is essential to improve postoperative outcomes in this group.

Role of stent placement in esophagojejunal anastomotic leakage following total gastrectomy

Background: Esophagojejunal anastomotic leakage (EJAL) is a life-threatening complication after total gastrectomy (TG) leading to high morbidity and mortality rates and it traditionally requires surgical treatment. The alternative to surgery is stent placement into the area of partial anastomotic defect with local drainage control or using endo-VAC system. The aim of the investigation was to assess length of hospital stay and mortality rate.

Risk factors for esophagojejunal anastomotic leakage after curative total gastrectomy combined with D2 lymph node dissection for gastric cancer.

ObjectiveTo explore the risk factors associated with esophagojejunal anastomotic leakage (EJAL) after curative total gastrectomy combined with D2 lymph node dissection for gastric cancer.MethodsWe reviewed the data for 390 consecutive patients undergoing Roux-en-Y esophagojejunostomy reconstruction after total gastrectomy. Multivariate analysis was performed using a logistic regression model to identify the independent risk factors for EJAL.ResultsOf the 390 patients enrolled in this study, EJAL occurred in 10 patients (2.6%), and one patient (1/10) with EJAL died. Univariate analysis identified age, alcohol consumption, pulmonary insufficiency, and intraoperative blood loss as risk factors for EJAL. Of these four risk factors, age and alcohol consumption were retained as independent risk factors by multivariate analysis.ConclusionSurgeons should be very careful regarding anastomotic leakage after esophagojejunal anastomosis, perioperatively, especially in patients with advanced age and a history of alcohol consumption. Pulmonary insufficiency and intraoperative blood loss, although not identified as independent risk factors, should also be considered.

Risk factors of postoperative complication after total gastrectomy in advanced gastric cancer patients receiving neoadjuvant chemotherapy

Objective: At present, there are few studies focusing on the factors short-term complications after total gastrectomy in patients with advanced gastric cancer receiving neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT). The purpose of this study is to provide a reference for clinical prevention of complications in these patients. Methods: A retrospective case-control study was conducted. Case inclusion criteria: (1) clinical stage II-III gastric cancer diagnosed by preoperative gastroscopy, pathology, abdominal CT, EUS or PET-CT; (2) evaluated suitable for NACT by MDT discussion; (3) no previous history of other malignant tumors and no concurrent tumor; (4) undergoing total gastrectomy+ D2 lymphadenectomy after NACT. Exclusion criteria: (1) age <18 or >80 years old; (2) severe concurrent diseases, and ASA classification>grade III; (3) stump gastric cancer or history of gastric surgery; (4) incomplete clinicopathological data. According to the above criteria, clinicopathological data of 140 advanced gastric cancer patients who underwent total gastrectomy after NACT in Chinese PLA General Hospital between June 2012 and June 2019 were collected, including 109 males and 31 females with mean age of (56.9±11.4) years and body mass indey (BMI) of (23.3±3.1) kg/m(2). Logistic analysis was used to analyze the relationship between postoperative complication and clinicopathological data. Factors in univariate analysis with P<0.05 were included in the multivariate analysis. Results: Postoperative complications (Clavien-Dindo classification ≥ II) occurred in 35 cases (25.0%) and severe complications (Clavien-Dindo classification ≥ IIIa) occurred in 4 cases (2.9%), including 1 case of esophago-jejunal anastomotic leakage, 1 case of vena cava thrombosis, 1 case of pleural effusion, 1 case of septic shock during perioperative days resulting in death. Univariate analysis showed that BMI (P=0.011), cycle of NACT (P=0.027), tumor diameter (P=0.021), and vascular invasion (P=0.033) were associated with postoperative complication within 30 days, while open/laparoscopic total gastrectomy were not associated with postoperative complication (P=0.926). Multivariate analysis revealed that BMI ≥ 25 kg/m(2) (OR=3.294, 95% CI: 1.343-8.079, P=0.009) and < 4 cycles of NACT (OR=2.922, 95% CI: 1.217-7.016, P=0.016) were independent risk factors for postoperative complication. The 3-year overall survival rates of patients with or without complication were 54.4% and 64.0%, respectively (P=0.395), and 3-year disease-free survival rates were 47.4% and 52.9%, respectively (P=0.587). Conclusions: Higher BMI and fewer cycles of NACT are independent risk factors of postoperative complication in advanced gastric cancer patients undergoing total gastrectomy after NACT. No obvious association is found between postoperative complication and surgical approaches.

Esophagus two-step-cut overlap method in esophagojejunostomy after laparoscopic gastrectomy.

Esophagojejunostomy is a challenging step in laparoscopic gastrectomy. Although the overlap method is a safe and feasible approach for esophagojejunostomy, it has several technical limitations. We developed novel modifications for the overlap method to overcome these disadvantages. Forty-eight consecutive gastric cancer patients underwent totally laparoscopic total gastrectomy or laparoscopic proximal gastrectomy with double-tract reconstruction at our institution from January 2019 to April 2020 using the overlap method with the following modifications. The esophagus was initially rotated by 90° counterclockwise, followed by transection of two-thirds of the esophageal diameter. The unstapled esophagus was then transected with a harmonic ultrasonic scalpel to enable esophagostomy at the posterior side of the esophagus. A side-to-side esophagojejunostomy was then formed at the posterior side of the esophagus using an endoscopic linear stapler through the right lower trocar. The common entry hole was closed via hand sewing method using V-Loc suture. This procedure was termed "esophagus two-step-cut overlap method." Only one patient suffered from esophagojejunal anastomotic leakage but subsequently recovered after conservative treatment. Patients did not experience anastomotic bleeding or stricture. Our modified overlap method provides satisfactory surgical outcomes and overcomes several technical limitations, such as entering the false lumen of the esophagus, unnecessary pollution caused by nasogastric tube, and unintended left crus stapling during anastomosis.

C-Reactive Protein as a Diagnostic Tool for Infectious Complications&#x0D; and Esophagojejunal Anastomotic Leakage after Gastrectomy

Introduction. The tendency to the wide implementation of the enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) protocol in the clinical practice leads to the increased requirement in surgical safety that can be provided with the possible earliest detection of postoperative complications and appropriate treatment. This requirement is the most acute in gastric cancer surgery, where despite the improvement of surgical techniques and complex treatment approach the rate of postoperative complications and esophagojejunal anastomotic leakage (EAL) is still high, making up 27% and 10%, respectively. The measurement of C-reactive protein (CRP) concentration in blood plasma is the simplest, most accessible and reliable method to detect infectious complications. However, CRP concentrations, which may indicate the development of postoperative complications, differ significantly in different studies.The aim of the study was to specify the role of CRP as a predictive biomarker for infectious complications and esophagojejunal anastomotic leakage.Materials and methods. This retrospective study included immediate outcomes of the planned radical gastrectomy in 130 patients. The CRP level was assessed depending on the complication type in the immediate postoperative period. Correlation between CRP levels and the incidence of postoperative infectious complications was analyzed. The severity grade of postoperative complications was registered according to the modified Clavien-Dindo classification. The statistical analysis was performed using parametrical and non-parametrical methods. The optimal cut-off CRP for infectious complications and anastomotic leakage was defined with the use of the ROC analysis. The multifactorial ANOVA was performed to detect the effect of contributing factors on the CRP level.Results. An increase in CRP levels over 100 mg/L on the fourth day after surgery can be considered as a manifestation of infectious complications (AUC 0,866 0,042, 95% CI: 0,798-0,934, p 0,001), and an increase in CRP levels over 167 mg/L on the fifth day is a predictor of the development of EAL (AUC 0,869 0,081, 95% CI: 0,711-1,000, p = 0,001). Initial malnutrition and aggravated somatic status appear to be risk factors for the development of infectious complications (p 0,001).Conclusion. Therefore, despite its low specificity, CRP is a sensitive marker of postoperative infectious complications starting from the first days of the postoperative period. Evaluation of the CRP concentration in dynamics allows identifying postoperative complications before the development of clinical manifestations.

Risk factors and laboratory markers used to predict leakage in esophagojejunal anastomotic leakage after total gastrectomy.

Esophagojejunal anastomotic leakages, which occur in the reconstruction procedures performed after total or proximal gastrectomy, still account for one of the most significant causes of morbidity and mortality in spite of the developments seen in perioperative management and surgical techniques in gastric cancer surgery. The aim of the present study was to ascertain the risk factors for Esophagojejunal anastomotic leakages. A total of 80 patients with gastric cancer, who had total gastrectomy +D2 lymph node dissection and Esophagojejunal anastomotic between January 2013 and December 2016, were retrospectively evaluated. Patients who did not have anastomotic leakages during their clinical follow-ups were allocated to Group 1, whereas those who had anastomotic leakages were allocated to Group 2. A total of 58 (72.5%) out of 80 patients were males, whereas 22 (27.5%) were females. Mean age of the patients was 61.2 ± 11.2 years. There were no demographic differences between the groups. Postoperative recurrent fever (p= 0.001), C-reactive protein values on postoperative days 3 and 5 (p= 0.01), and neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio on postoperative day 5 (p= 0.022) were found to be statistically significant with regard to Esophagojejunal anastomotic leakages and other postoperative complications. The duration of operation (p= 0.032) and combined organ resection (p= 0.008) were ascertained as risk factors for Esophagojejunal anastomotic leakages. Surgeons should be careful about Esophagojejunal anastomotic leakages which are significant postoperative complications seen especially in cases where the duration of operation is prolonged, and additional organ resections are performed. Recurrent fever, high C-reactive protein levels, and neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio may serve as warnings for complications in postoperative follow-ups.

Risk factors and laboratory markers used to predict leakage in esophagojejunal anastomotic leakage after total gastrectomy.

Esophagojejunal anastomotic leakages, which occur in the reconstruction procedures performed after total or proximal gastrectomy, still account for one of the most significant causes of morbidity and mortality in spite of the developments seen in the perioperative management and surgical techniques in gastric cancer surgery. The aim of the presentstudy was to ascertain the risk factors for Esophagojejunal anastomotic leakages. A total of 80 patients with gastric cancer, who had total gastrectomy + D2 lymph node dissection and Esophagojejunal anastomotic between January 2013 and December 2016, were retrospectively evaluated. Patients who did not have anastomotic leakages during their clinical follow-ups were allocated to Group 1, whereasthose who had anastomotic leakages were allocated to Group 2. A total of 58 (72.5%) out of 80 patients were males, whereas 22 (27.5%) were females.The mean age of the patients was 61.2±11.2 years. There were no demographic differences between the groups. Postoperative recurrent fever (p=0.001), C-reactive protein values on postoperative days 3 and 5 (p=0.01), and neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio on postoperative day 5 (p=0.022) were found to be statistically significant with regardto Esophagojejunal anastomotic leakages and other postoperative complications. The duration of operation (p=0.032) and combined organ resection (p=0.008) were ascertained as risk factors for Esophagojejunal anastomotic leakages. Surgeons should be careful about Esophagojejunal anastomotic leakages thatare significant postoperative complications seen especially in cases where the duration of operation is prolonged, and additional organ resections are performed. Recurrent fever, high C-reactive protein levels, and neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio may serve as warnings for complications in postoperative follow-ups.

Esophagojejunal anastomotic leakage following gastrectomy for gastric cancer.

Esophagojejunal anastomotic leakage (EJAL) is a serious complication of total or proximal gastrectomy for gastric cancer, with a reported incidence of 2.1-14.6% and mortality of up to 50%. EJAL is an independent prognostic factor for the poor survival of gastric cancer patients. Meticulous surgical techniques, experience with anastomotic devices, and a thorough understanding of various risk factors and preventive measures are essential and early diagnosis is critical for preventing EJAL-related death. Patients with suspected EJAL must be evaluated promptly, but contrast swallow is not recommended. There is no standard treatment strategy for EJAL, although conservative treatment with drainage and nutritional support is the most common approach. Effective endoscopic treatments have been reported but need further validation. Surgical treatment is associated with high mortality but should be considered to prevent death from suboptimal EJAL management, for patients with severe sepsis or when conservative treatment has failed.

Development of a nomogram for predicting the risk of anastomotic leakage after a gastrectomy for gastric cancer

AimsTo investigate the incidence of and factors associated with anastomotic leakage (AL) following gastrectomy for gastric cancer. MethodsWe retrospectively analyzed 3632 patients who underwent a laparoscopic gastrectomy or open gastrectomy for gastric cancer. A logistic regression model was used to identify the determinant variables, and a nomogram for AL was developed. ResultsA total of 3632 patients were included in the study, 50 of whom (1.4%) developed AL. Postoperative deaths occurred in 6 (0.2%) patients with AL failure to rescue. Esophagojejunal AL (27/50) and Billroth I AL (20/50) were the most common types of AL. Gastrografin swallow was the main diagnostic method. The diagnosis was made a median of 9 days postoperatively. The median healing time for AL was 34.5 days. Of the 50 AL patients, 56% of patients could be managed nonsurgically, whereas 28% of patients required percutaneous radiologic drainage, 6% of patients were treated by endoscopy, and 10% of patients required a second surgery. A multivariate analysis showed the following adverse risk factors for AL: age ≥65 years, hemoglobin ≤8.0 g/dL and malnourishment. A multivariable model for AL showed a strong optimism-adjusted discrimination (concordance index, 0.675). The 5-year overall survival rates for patients without or with AL were 59.4% and 67.4%, respectively (p = 0.354). ConclusionsAL was infrequent but was more prevalent in patients with age ≥65 years, hemoglobin ≤8.0 g/dL and malnourishment. We created a novel nomogram that can provide individualized prediction of AL in patients after a gastrectomy for gastric cancer, which may help clinicians in making treatment decisions.

Prophylactic Laparoscopic Total Gastrectomy with Jejunal Pouch Reconstruction in Patients Carrying a CDH1 Germline Mutation

BackgroundFor patients with an identified germline E-cadherin-1 (CDH1) mutation, prophylactic gastrectomy is the treatment of choice to eliminate the high risk of developing diffuse gastric cancer. Laparoscopic total gastrectomy with jejunal pouch reconstruction is a novel approach that may be especially suitable in these patients. MethodsPatients with a germline CDH1 mutation who underwent prophylactic laparoscopic total gastrectomy with jejunal pouch were included in our prospective database. ResultsA total of 11 patients with a median age of 40 (22–61) years were included. The average operative time was 4:26 ± 0:49 h and the average blood loss was 219 ± 155 ml. Median length of hospital stay was 10 (7–27) days. In two patients, an esophagojejunal anastomotic leakage occurred (grade 4). The leakages were seen in patient numbers 2 and 3, which may be a result of a learning curve. The latter eight patients did not develop anastomotic leakage. Pulmonary complications occurred in one patient with atelectasis and in one patient with pneumonia (grade 2). The 60-day mortality rate was 0 %. Multiple foci of intramucosal diffuse gastric signet ring cell carcinoma were found in the resection specimen of 9/11 (82 %) patients. All 11/11 (100 %) resections were microscopically radical. ConclusionsProphylactic laparoscopic total gastrectomy with jejunal pouch reconstruction in patients with a CDH1 germline mutation is feasible and safe. In 82 % of patients, foci of intramucosal diffuse gastric signet ring cell carcinoma in the resection specimen were found.

Risk Factors for Esophagojejunal Anastomotic Leakage After Elective Gastrectomy for Gastric Cancer

ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to investigate the correlation between intraoperative anastomotic troubles and the incidence of esophagojejunal anastomotic leakage (EJAL), and to identify risk factors for EJAL after elective gastrectomy for gastric cancer. MethodsThis study reviewed the medical and surgical records of 327 patients who underwent elective gastrectomy followed by esophagojejunostomy. A multivariate analysis was performed to determine the risk factors for EJAL. ResultsAn EJAL occurred in 19 patients (5.8 %). A multivariate analysis demonstrated that hemoglobin A1c ≥7.0 % (p < 0.01), chronic renal failure (p < 0.01), proximal gastrectomy (p < 0.05), and anastomotic trouble during construction of the esophagojejunostomy (p < 0.01) were independent predictors for EJAL. Anastomotic trouble during construction of esophagojejunostomy occurred in 20 patients (6.1 %), and EJAL occurred in 6 of these 20 patients (30 %). Four of ten patients (40 %) in whom an incomplete anastomosis was repaired by suturing during surgery had an EJAL, while none of seven patients who underwent re-anastomosis had this complication. ConclusionsEJAL is strongly associated with intraoperative technical errors. To reduce this complication, proper anastomotic techniques are required. Re-anastomosis should be performed when an incomplete anastomosis is discovered during surgery.

Identification of Risk Factors for Esophagojejunal Anastomotic Leakage after Gastric Surgery

Despite the development of the surgical technique and improvements in perioperative management, anastomotic leakage still occurs at esophagojejunal anastomoses after total or proximal gastrectomy. Anastomotic leakage is one of the major complications of concern, chiefly because it can lead to death. The objective of the present study was to identify the risk factors for esophagojejunal anastomotic leakage. The study was based on retrospective analysis of the data of a total of 1,640 consecutive patients who underwent total, proximal, or completion gastrectomy, including esophagojejunal anastomosis, between 1999 and 2008. Thirty-five patients (2.1 %) developed anastomotic leakage. Univariate analysis revealed patient age, pulmonary insufficiency, lymph node dissection, combined resection of other organs, omental resection, operative time, blood loss, intraoperative blood transfusion, and postoperative creatinine level were the significant factors influencing anastomotic leakage. Multivariate analysis identified pulmonary insufficiency and the duration of the operation as the predictors of anastomotic leakage. To avoid leakage, surgeons should take care in creating the anastomosis in gastrectomy patients, particularly in cases of poor pulmonary function or when the procedure requires a longer operation.

Negative impact of leakage on survival of patients undergoing curative resection for advanced gastric cancer

Leakage has been shown to adversely affect survival in patients undergoing surgery for gastrointestinal malignancies. However, the effect of leakage following radical gastrectomy in patients with gastric cancer remains unclear. In total, 478 patients with advanced gastric cancer who underwent surgery with curative intent were reviewed. Anastomosis or duodenal stump leakage was diagnosed clinically or radiologically. Risk factors for leakage were evaluated by univariate and multivariate analyses. The impact of leakage on patient survival was analyzed using the Kaplan-Meier method. Leakage was diagnosed in 32 of 478 patients (6.7%); 14 patients (2.9%) exhibited esophagojejunal anastomotic leakage, 14 (2.9%) showed duodenal stump leakage, and four (0.8%) showed gastroduodenal anastomotic leakage. Poor performance status [odds ratio (OR): 4.01, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.80-8.93] and tumor location (OR: 3.74, 95% CI: 1.56-8.89) were risk factors for postoperative leakage. Overall mean survival of patients with leakage was significantly lower than that of patients without leakage (30.5 vs. 96.2 months; P < 0.001). Leakage was one of the independent predictive factor for overall survival [hazard ratio (HR): 3.58, 95% CI: 2.29-5.59]. Postoperative inflammation due to leakage is a negative prognostic factor for patients with advanced gastric cancer.