Occult Lung Cancer-Associated Autoimmune Encephalitis Presenting as Acute Psychosis.

During deployment, a 52-year-old male developed acute behavioral changes. Though initially considered to have PTSD and related agitation and confusional state, his evaluation was consistent with acute encephalopathy. Magnetic resonance imaging of the brain showed T2 hyperintensities, and CSF analysis was positive for anti-N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor antibody. A nuclear protein in testis carcinoma midline carcinoma was discovered in the lung. Immunotherapy and surgical resection led to steady improvement prior to adjuvant chemotherapy. Autoimmune encephalitis due to anti-N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor antibodies is increasingly being recognized as causal of acute behavioral change.

Esophagectomy Enhanced Recovery After Surgery Initiative Results in Improved Outcomes.

BACKGROUND: Esophagectomy for esophageal cancer is a procedure with high morbidity and mortality. This study developed a Multidisciplinary Esophagectomy Enhanced Recovery Initiative (MERIT) pathway and analyzed implementation outcomes in a single institution. METHODS: The MERIT pathway was developed as a practice optimization and quality improvement initiative. Patients were studied from November 1, 2021 to June 20, 2022 and were compared with historical control subjects. The Wilcoxon rank sum test and the Fisher exact test were used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: The study compared 238 historical patients (January 17, 2017 to December 30, 2020) with 58 consecutive MERIT patients. There were no significant differences between patient characteristics in the 2 groups. In the MERIT group, 49 (85%) of the patients were male, and their mean age was 65 years (range, 59-71 years). Most cases were performed for esophageal cancer after neoadjuvant therapy. Length of stay improved by 27% from 11 to 8 days (P = .27). There was a 12% (P = .05) atrial arrhythmia rate reduction, as well as a 9% (P = .01) decrease in postoperative ileus. Overall complications were reduced from 54% to 35% (-19%; P = .01). CONCLUSIONS: This study successfully developed and implemented an enhanced recovery after surgery pathway for esophagectomy. In the first year, study investigators were able to reduce overall complications, specifically atrial arrhythmias, and postoperative ileus.

Sublobar Resection, Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy, and Percutaneous Ablation Provide Comparable Outcomes for Lung Metastasis-Directed Therapy.

BACKGROUND: Prolonged survival of patients with metastatic disease has furthered interest in metastasis-directed therapy (MDT). RESEARCH QUESTION: There is a paucity of data comparing lung MDT modalities. Do outcomes among sublobar resection (SLR), stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT), and percutaneous ablation (PA) for lung metastases vary in terms of local control and survival? STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: Medical records of patients undergoing lung MDT at a single cancer center between January 2015 and December 2020 were reviewed. Overall survival, local progression, and toxicity outcomes were collected. Patient and lesion characteristics were used to generate multivariable models with propensity weighted analysis. RESULTS: Lung MDT courses (644 total: 243 SLR, 274 SBRT, 127 PA) delivered to 511 patients were included with a median follow-up of 22 months. There were 47 local progression events in 45 patients, and 159 patients died. Two-year overall survival and local progression were 80.3% and 63.3%, 83.8% and 9.6%, and 4.1% and 11.7% for SLR, SBRT, and PA, respectively. Lesion size per 1 cm was associated with worse overall survival (hazard ratio, 1.24; P = .003) and LP (hazard ratio, 1.50; P < .001). There was no difference in overall survival by modality. Relative to SLR, there was no difference in risk of local progression with PA; however, SBRT was associated with a decreased risk (hazard ratio, 0.26; P = .023). Rates of severe toxicity were low (2.1%-2.6%) and not different among groups. INTERPRETATION: This study performs a propensity weighted analysis of SLR, SBRT, and PA and shows no impact of lung MDT modality on overall survival. Given excellent local control across MDT options, a multidisciplinary approach is beneficial for patient triage and longitudinal management.

Determinants of Long-term Survival Decades After Esophagectomy for Esophageal Cancer.

BACKGROUND: Long-term survival in esophagectomy patients with esophageal cancer is low due to tumor-related characteristics, with few reports of modifiable variables influencing outcome. We identified determinants of overall survival, time to recurrence, and disease-free survival in this patient cohort. METHODS: Adult patients who underwent esophagectomy for primary esophageal cancer from January 5, 2000, through December 30, 2010, at our institution were identified. Univariate Cox models and multivariable logistic regression analyses were used to identify associations between modifiable and unmodifiable patient and clinical variables and outcome of survival for the total cohort and a subgroup with locally advanced disease. RESULTS: We identified 870 patients with esophageal cancer who underwent esophagectomy. The median follow-up time was 15 years, and the 15-year overall survival rate was 25.2%, survival free of recurrence was 57.96%, and disease-free survival was 24.21%. Decreased overall survival was associated with the following unmodifiable variables: older age, male sex, active smoking status, history of coronary artery disease, advanced clinical stage, and tumor location. Decreased overall survival was associated with the following modifiable variables: use of neoadjuvant therapy, advanced pathologic stage, resection margin positivity, surgical reintervention, and blood transfusion requirement. The overall survival probability 6 years after esophagectomy was 0.920 (95% CI, 0.895-0.947), and time-to-recurrence probability was 0.988 (95% CI, 0.976-1.000), with a total of 17 recurrences and 201 deaths. CONCLUSIONS: Once patients survive 5 years, recurrence is rare. Long-term survival can be achieved in high-volume centers adhering to National Comprehensive Cancer Network guidelines using multidisciplinary care teams that is double what has been previously reported in the literature from national databases.

Prognostic factors in resected pulmonary carcinoid tumors: A retrospective study with 10 years of follow­up.

The objective of the present study was to characterize the difference in 10-year carcinoid-specific survival (CSS) and disease-free survival (DFS) among patients with resected pulmonary typical carcinoid (TC) and atypical carcinoid (AC). Patients diagnosed with pulmonary carcinoid tumors (PCT) between January 1, 1997, and December 31, 2016, were identified. All patients underwent video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery or thoracotomy with thoracic lymphadenectomy. Cumulative CSS was estimated using the Kaplan-Meier model. The analysis of hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) was performed using univariate and multivariate Cox proportional hazards models. A total of 404 patients with PCT were included in the present study. The 10-year CSS and DFS rates of patients with AC were significantly worse than those of patients with TC (49.1 vs. 86.8% and 52.2 vs. 92.6%, respectively; P<0.001). In the CSS multivariate analysis, older age and lymph node involvement (HR, 2.45; P=0.022) were associated with worse survival in AC, while age, male sex, M1 stage, cigarette smoking and inadequate N2 lymphadenectomy were associate with worse survival in TC. In the recurrence multivariate analysis, N1-3 stage (HR, 2.62; 95% CI, 1.16-5.95; P=0.018) and inadequate N2 lymphadenectomy (HR, 2.13; 95% CI, 1.04-4.39; P=0.041) were associated with an increase in recurrence in AC, while male sex (HR, 3.72; 95% CI, 1.33-10.42; P=0.010) and M1 stage (HR, 14.93; 95% CI, 4.77-46.77; P<0.001) were associated with an increase in recurrence in TC. In conclusion, patients with AC tumors had significantly worse CSS and DFS rates compared with patients with TC. The degree of nodal involvement in AC was a prognostic marker, in contrast to that in TC. Inadequate lymphadenectomy increased the risk of recurrence in AC and mortality in TC, although surgical approaches did not have a significant impact. The present study therefore emphasizes the importance of mediastinal nodal dissection in patients with PCTs.

Preoperative Type and Screen Before General Thoracic Surgery: A Nomogram to Reduce Unnecessary Tests.

BACKGROUND: A preoperative type and screen (T&S) is traditionally routinely obtained before noncardiac thoracic surgery; however an intraoperative blood transfusion is rare. This practice is overly cautious and expensive. METHODS: We included adult patients undergoing major thoracic surgery at the Mayo Clinic from 2007 to 2016. Patients receiving a T&S blood test ≤72 hours of surgery was the main exposure. We randomly split the cohort into derivation and validation datasets. We used multiple logistic regression to create a parsimonious nomogram predicting the need for a T&S in relation to the likelihood of intraoperative blood transfusion. We validated the nomogram in terms of discrimination, calibration, and negative predictive value. RESULTS: Of 6280 patients 46.1% had a preoperative T&S, but only 7.1% received intraoperative transfusions. The derivation dataset had 4196 patients. Patients who had a T&S were more likely to have baseline hemoglobin level <10 g/dL (7.9% vs 3.6%, P < .001) and less likely to have minimally invasive operations (36.1% vs 43.5%, P < .001) but were otherwise similar in baseline age and comorbidities. A transfusion threshold of 5% was selected a priori. The nomogram included age, planned operation, approach, body mass index, and preoperative hemoglobin. The nomogram was validated with a c-statistic of 86% and a negative predictive value of 97.9%. Patients who needed a blood transfusion but who did not have a preoperative T&S did not have a higher rate of mortality (P = .121). CONCLUSIONS: An intraoperative blood transfusion during major thoracic surgery is a rare event. Patient who required transfusion but did not have a T&S did not have worse outcomes. A simple nomogram can aid in the selective use of T&S orders preoperatively.

Analysis of Esophagectomy Margin Practice and Survival Implications.

BACKGROUND: The objective of this study was to determine how thoracic surgeons manage intraoperative esophagectomy positive margins and how these decisions may relate to overall survival and progression-free survival in esophageal cancer. METHODS: A survey was sent to thoracic surgeons to understand the management of intraoperative positive esophagectomy margins. Primary data at two high-volume esophageal cancer institutions from 1994 to 2017 were retrospectively reviewed to identify patients who had intraoperative positive frozen section margins during esophagectomy. Patient characteristics and survival data were collected and analyzed. Overall survival and progression-free survival were assessed using a Cox model. RESULTS: Eighty-five percent of thoracic surgeons responding to a survey reported the utilization of frozen pathologic evaluation during esophagectomy with attempts at re-resection to achieve negative margin. Our esophagectomy database identified 94 patients with intraoperative positive margins. Of those re-resected (n = 67, 63%), 44 patients (46.8%) were converted to R0 resections. overall survival was improved for patients in the R0 group (13 months) vs R+ group (3.4 months, P = .04). Progression-free survival was also improved between the R0 group (8.6 months) and the R+ group (2.2 months, P = .03). In a multivariable analysis for progression-free survival, margin status was an independent predictor of survival (hazard ratio 3.13, P = .03). CONCLUSIONS: From a thoracic surgery survey, 85% of surgeons use intraoperative frozen section margin analysis to guide surgical decision making during an esophagectomy. Analyzing patients with a positive margin discovered during esophagectomy suggests that esophageal cancer patients who can undergo re-resection to a negative margin have increased progression-free survival. The final margin appears to be related to progression-free survival.

Prophylactic Bronchial Stump Support With Intrathoracic Muscle Flap Transposition.

BACKGROUND: Bronchopleural fistula (BPF) is a dreaded complication of pulmonary resection. For high-risk patients, bronchial stump coverage with vascularized tissue has been recommended. The goal of this study was to report our experience with intrathoracic muscle transposition for bronchial stump coverage. METHODS: A retrospective review of all patients who underwent intrathoracic muscle flap transposition as a prophylactic measure at our institution between 1990 and 2010 was conducted. Demographics, surgical characteristics, and complication rates were abstracted and analyzed. RESULTS: A total of 160 patients were identified. The most common lung resections performed were pneumonectomy (n = 69, 43%) and lobectomy (n = 60, 38%). A total of 168 flaps were used where serratus anterior was the most common flap (n = 136, 81%), followed by intercostal (n = 14, 8%), and latissimus dorsi (n = 12, 7%). Ten patients (6%) developed BPF, and empyema occurred in 13 patients (8%). Median survival was 20 months, and operative mortality occurred in 7 patients (4%). CONCLUSIONS: Reinforcement of the bronchial closure with vascularized muscle is a viable option for potentially decreasing the incidence of BPF in high-risk patients. Further randomized studies are needed to determine the efficacy of this technique for BPF prevention.

Contemporary Practice Patterns of Lung Volume Reduction Surgery in the United States.

BACKGROUND: Contemporary data on lung volume reduction surgery (LVRS) is sparse, particularly in regard to utilization and surgical outcomes. In this context, we analyzed the practice patterns and outcomes of LVRS nationally. METHODS: We identified all patients (n = 1617) undergoing LVRS at 165 hospitals between 2001 and 2017 from The Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS) General Thoracic Database. Practice patterns were assessed at the hospital and STS regional levels. In addition, we obtained regional chronic obstructive pulmonary disease prevalence data from the Centers for Disease Control. We used hierarchical logistic regression to estimate associations with each outcome of interest and calculate risk- and reliability-adjusted outcome rates. RESULTS: Since 2011, national LVRS utilization has been increasing with decreasing mortality rates (3.1% risk-adjusted mortality in 2016). There is wide regional variation in LVRS average caseload that is not congruent with national chronic obstructive pulmonary disease prevalence (Pearson correlation coefficient -0.11). On multivariable analysis, only older age (adjusted odds ratio 1.05, P < .001), male sex (adjusted odds ratio 1.5, P = .007), underweight body mass index (adjusted odds ratio 1.94, P = .027), and ECOG score of 4 (adjusted odds ratio 5.17, Z-score 3.91, P = .001) were associated with the occurrence of the composite outcome of major morbidity or mortality. At the hospital level, six hospitals performed 40% of all LVRS nationally with adjusted national 30-day mortality rate of 4.3% and composite outcome rate of 15.8%. Despite this, there was minimal variation in adjusted outcome rates. CONCLUSIONS: National utilization of LVRS is increasing and it has become safer overall, even at lower volume hospitals. There is regional variation in LVRS use that does not mirror national chronic obstructive pulmonary disease prevalence, suggesting access disparities. The findings have potential policy implications.

Intrathoracic Muscle Flap Transposition for the Management of Chronic Pulmonary Aspergillosis.

BACKGROUND: The management of chronic pulmonary aspergillosis remains a challenge for thoracic and reconstructive surgeons. Different management options have been proposed with no consensus regarding the best treatment modality. The goal of this study is to report our experience with the use of intrathoracic muscle flaps for the management of pulmonary aspergillosis. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed all patients who underwent intrathoracic muscle flap transposition for the management of pulmonary aspergillosis between 1990 and 2010. Demographics, surgical characteristics, and treatment outcomes were collected and analyzed. RESULTS: A total of 39 patients who underwent 48 muscle flaps were identified. The majority were classified as ASA 3 (n=30, 77%) or ASA 4 (n=8, 21%). Serratus anterior was the most common flap used (n=34), followed by latissimus dorsi (n=6) and pectoralis major (n=5). Flap loss was encountered in three (8%) patients (2 partial, 1 total). Bronchopleural fistula and empyema comprised the two most common intrathoracic complications (26%, 29% respectively). Median follow-up was 33 months (range, 0-216). Successful treatment was achieved in 77% of patients, while operative mortality was 23%. CONCLUSION: The use of intrathoracic muscle flaps can be a helpful adjunct to surgical resection in the treatment of chronic pulmonary aspergillosis with low rates of flap loss.

Muscle Flap Transposition for the Management of Intrathoracic Fistulas.

BACKGROUND: Intrathoracic fistulas pose unique challenges for thoracic and reconstructive surgeons. To decrease the incidence of fistula recurrence, pedicled flaps have been suggested to buttress the repair site. The authors aimed to report their experience with muscle flap transposition for the management of intrathoracic fistulas. METHODS: A retrospective review of all patients who underwent intrathoracic muscle flap transposition for the management of intrathoracic fistulas from 1990 to 2010 was conducted. Patient demographics, surgical characteristics, and complication rates were abstracted and analyzed. RESULTS: A total of 198 patients were identified. Bronchopleural fistula was present in 156 of the patients (79 percent), and 48 had esophageal fistula (24 percent). A total of 238 flaps were used, constituting an average of 1.2 flaps per patient. After the initial fistula repair, bronchopleural fistula complicated the course of 34 patients (17 percent), and esophageal fistula occurred in 13 patients (7 percent). Partial flap loss was identified in 11 flaps (6 percent), and total flap loss occurred in four flaps (2 percent). Median follow-up was 27 months. At the last follow-up, 182 of the patients (92 percent) had no evidence of fistula, 175 (89 percent) achieved successful chest closure, and 164 (83 percent) had successful treatment. Preoperative radiation therapy and American Society of Anesthesiologists score of 4 or greater were identified as risk factors for unsuccessful treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Intrathoracic fistulas remain a source of major morbidity and mortality. Reinforcement of the fistula closure with vascularized muscle flaps is a viable option for preventing dehiscence of the repair site and can be potentially life-saving. CLINICAL QUESTION/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic, III.

Postoperative Opioid Consumption in Thoracic Surgery Patients: How Much Is Actually Used?

BACKGROUND: The objective of this initiative was to perform a prospective, multicenter survey of patients after lung resection to assess the amount of opioid medication consumed and the disposition of unused opioids to inform the development of evidence-based prescribing guidelines. METHODS: Adults undergoing lung resection with either minimally invasive surgery (MIS; n = 108) or thoracotomy (n = 45) were identified prospectively from 3 academic centers (from March 2017 to January 2018) to complete a 28-question telephone survey 21 to 35 days after discharge. Discharge opioids were converted into morphine milligram equivalents (MME) and were compared across patient and surgical details. RESULTS: Of the 153 patients who completed the survey, 89.5% (137) received opioids at discharge with a median prescription of 320 MME (interquartile range [IQR], 225, 450 MME) after MIS and 450 MME (IQR, 300, 600 MME) after thoracotomy (P = .001). Median opioid consumption varied by surgical approach: 90 MME (IQR, 0, 262.5) after MIS and 300 MME (IQR, 50, 382.5 MME) after thoracotomy (P < .001). The majority of patients (73.7%; 101) had residual opioid medication at the time of the survey, and patients after MIS had a relative increase in amount of remaining opioid medication: 58.3% vs 33.3% (P = .05) of the original prescription. Only 5.9% of patients with opioids remaining had properly disposed of them. CONCLUSIONS: Although patients undergoing MIS lung resection used significantly less opioid medication over a shorter duration of time than did patients after thoracotomy, they had relatively more excess opioid prescription. Evidence-based, procedure-specific guidelines with tailored pain regimens should be developed and implemented to reduce the amount of postoperative opioid medication remaining in the community.

Distribution of lymph node metastases in esophageal carcinoma [TIGER study]: study protocol of a multinational observational study.

BACKGROUND: An important parameter for survival in patients with esophageal carcinoma is lymph node status. The distribution of lymph node metastases depends on tumor characteristics such as tumor location, histology, invasion depth, and on neoadjuvant treatment. The exact distribution is unknown. Neoadjuvant treatment and surgical strategy depends on the distribution pattern of nodal metastases but consensus on the extent of lymphadenectomy has not been reached. The aim of this study is to determine the distribution of lymph node metastases in patients with resectable esophageal or gastro-esophageal junction carcinoma in whom a transthoracic esophagectomy with a 2- or 3-field lymphadenectomy is performed. This can be the foundation for a uniform worldwide staging system and establishment of the optimal surgical strategy for esophageal cancer patients. METHODS: The TIGER study is an international observational cohort study with 50 participating centers. Patients with a resectable esophageal or gastro-esophageal junction carcinoma in whom a transthoracic esophagectomy with a 2- or 3-field lymphadenectomy is performed in participating centers will be included. All lymph node stations will be excised and separately individually analyzed by pathological examination. The aim is to include 5000 patients. The primary endpoint is the distribution of lymph node metastases in esophageal and esophago-gastric junction carcinoma specimens following transthoracic esophagectomy with at least 2-field lymphadenectomy in relation to tumor histology, tumor location, invasion depth, number of lymph nodes and lymph node metastases, pre-operative diagnostics, neo-adjuvant therapy and (disease free) survival. DISCUSSION: The TIGER study will provide a roadmap of the location of lymph node metastases in relation to tumor histology, tumor location, invasion depth, number of lymph nodes and lymph node metastases, pre-operative diagnostics, neo-adjuvant therapy and survival. Patient-tailored treatment can be developed based on these results, such as the optimal radiation field and extent of lymphadenectomy based on the primary tumor characteristics. TRIAL REGISTRATION: NCT03222895 , date of registration: July 19th, 2017.

Radiolocalization of atypical lesions for intraoperative identification: technical factors, localization quality, success rates, patient safety, and spectrum of applications.

BACKGROUND: To retrospectively analyze perilesional technetium Tc-99m MAA injection for intraoperative localization of atypical soft-tissue and bone lesions within a single tertiary referral center in order to determine technique, safety, and clinical utility of these procedures. METHODS: An IRB compliant, retrospective electronic chart review (2010-2017) exploring surgical excision of atypical (non-pulmonary, non-breast, non-sentinel node) lesions guided by Tc-99m MAA perilesional injection. Patient demographics, lesion location, lesion size, radiotracer injection technique, radiotracer injection complications, scintigraphy technique, scintigraphic quality, intraoperative time, lesion identification in surgery, and pathological diagnoses were recorded. RESULTS: Twenty-two atypical radiolocalization exams were identified. Lesion sites included rib (7), lymph node (4), abdominal wall (3), mesenteric (3), gallbladder fossa (1), retroperitoneum (1), parietal pleura (1), anterior mediastinum (1), and iliac bone (1). Average lesion size was 14 mm (range 5-23 mm). Eighteen (82%) radiotracer injections used computed tomography guidance and 4 (18%) used ultrasound guidance. The mean activity of Tc-99m MAA administered was 11.8 MBq (0.32 mCi). A 22-gauge needle was most often used for perilesional injection. No injection complications were reported. The lesions were identified with a hand-held gamma probe during surgery in 100% of cases. Of the samples sent to pathology, 100% were identified and given a diagnosis. CONCLUSION: Radiolocalization of atypical lesions may be a valuable technique, guiding minimally invasive surgical removal of lesions that would otherwise be difficult to identify intraoperatively such as non-palpable rib, central mesenteric nodal, and abdominal wall lesions.

Comparison of Laparoscopic Versus Open Surgical Management of Morgagni Hernia.

BACKGROUND: Morgagni hernias are rare congenital diaphragmatic hernias that often do not become clinically significant until adulthood. The purpose of this study was to characterize the preoperative findings and describe surgical outcomes of Morgagni hernia repair based on operative approach. METHODS: Charts of patients who underwent repair of a Morgagni hernia were retrospectively reviewed from 1987 to 2015. Medical records were reviewed for demographics, symptoms, comorbidities, surgical approach, hospital course, complications, and preoperative imaging. RESULTS: Forty-three cases were identified, 23 male and 20 female. Median age was 50.4 years, and median body mass index was 33.1 kg/m2. Most common presenting symptoms were respiratory (35.7%) and gastrointestinal (28.6%). Although 83.3% of cases were newly diagnosed, none required emergent repair. Preoperative imaging demonstrated an average hernia size of 8.2 cm. Surgical approaches included laparotomy (62.8%), laparoscopic (23.3%), and thoracotomy (14%). Primary hernia repair was most common (72%). Comparing laparotomy, thoracotomy, and laparoscopic approaches, mesh repair was more common with laparoscopy (p = 0.005), operative time was shortest with laparotomy (p = 0.029), and hospital length of stay was shortest with laparoscopy (p = 0.024). The most common complication was incisional/port site hernia, with no statistical significance between surgical approaches. There was one Morgagni hernia recurrence. CONCLUSIONS: Morgagni hernias often present with respiratory and gastrointestinal symptoms and require repair. All cases in our series were repaired electively. Regardless of approach recurrence rate was low (2.3%) and complication rate was similar between laparoscopic, laparotomy, and thoracotomy. Given the shorter length of stay with similar recurrence rates, a laparoscopic approach is a viable option for repair of Morgagni hernia.

The cost burden of clinically significant esophageal anastomotic leaks-a steep price to pay.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this retrospective cohort study was to evaluate resource consumption of clinically significant esophageal anastomotic leaks. METHODS: Between September 1, 2008, to December 31, 2014, a prospectively maintained database was queried to identify patients with grade III to IV anastomotic leaks after esophagectomy for esophageal cancer. Inflation-adjusted standardized costs were applied to billed services related to leak diagnosis and treatment, from time of leak detection to resumption of oral diet. A matched analysis was used to compare average expenditures in patients without vs. those with an anastomotic leak. RESULTS: Of 448 patients undergoing esophagectomy after neoadjuvant treatment, 399 patients met inclusion criteria. Twenty-four grade III to IV anastomotic leaks were identified (6% leak rate). Five transhiatal esophagectomies accounted for 20.8% of cases, whereas 9 Ivor Lewis and 10 McKeown esophagectomies accounted for 37.5% and 41.7%, respectively. The median time required to treat an anastomotic leak was 73 days (range 14-701). The additional median standardized cost per leak was $68,296 (mean $119,822). Matched analysis demonstrated that mean treatment costs were 2.6 times greater for patients with an anastomotic leak. This was primarily attributed to prolonged hospitalization, with post-leak detection length of stay ranging from 7 to 73 days. The largest contributors to cost for all patients were intensive care stay (30%), hospital room (17%), pharmacy (16%), and surgical intervention (13%). CONCLUSIONS: Grade III to IV esophageal anastomotic leaks more than double the cost of an esophagectomy and have a significant cost burden. Focus should be placed on preventative measures to avoid leaks at the time of the index operation.

Preliminary Normative Standards of the Mayo Clinic Esophagectomy CONDUIT Tool.

OBJECTIVE: To collect patient-reported outcomes after esophagectomy to establish a set of preliminary normative standards to aid in symptom-score interpretation. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients undergoing esophagectomy often have little understanding about postoperative symptom management. The Mayo Clinic esophageal CONDUIT tool is a validated questionnaire comprising 5 multi-item symptom-assessment domains and 2 health-assessment domains. A prospective nonrandomized cohort study was conducted on adult patients who have had esophagectomies using the CONDUIT tool from August 17, 2015, to July 30, 2018 (NCT02530983). The Statistical Analysis System v9.4 (SAS Institute Inc., Cary, NC) was used to calculate and analyze the scores. RESULTS: Over the study period, 569 patients were assessed for eligibility, and 241 patients consented and were offered the tool. Of these, 188 patients (median age: 65 years; range: 24 to 87 years; 80% male patients) had calculable scores. Of the 188 patients, 50 (26.6%) patients were identified as potential beneficiaries for educational intervention to improve symptoms (received moderate scores for a domain), and 131 (69.7%) patients were identified as needing further testing or provider intervention (received poor scores for a domain) based on the tool. CONCLUSION: The CONDUIT tool scores, when compared with standardized scales with established preliminary normative scores, could be used to identify and triage patients who need targeted education, further testing, or provider interventions. These score ranges will serve as the first set of normative standards to aid in the interpretation of conduit performance among providers and patients.