Endoscopic Management of Post-Sleeve Gastrectomy Complications.

Obesity is associated with several chronic conditions including diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease and malignancy. Bariatric surgery, most commonly Roux-en-Y gastric bypass and sleeve gastrectomy, is an effective treatment modality for obesity and can improve associated comorbidities. Over the last 20 years, there has been an increase in the rate of bariatric surgeries associated with the growing obesity epidemic. Sleeve gastrectomy is the most widely performed bariatric surgery currently, and while it serves as a durable option for some patients, it is important to note that several complications, including sleeve leak, stenosis, chronic fistula, gastrointestinal hemorrhage, and gastroesophageal reflux disease, may occur. Endoscopic methods to manage post-sleeve gastrectomy complications are often considered due to the risks associated with a reoperation, and endoscopy plays a significant role in the diagnosis and management of post-sleeve gastrectomy complications. We perform a detailed review of the current endoscopic management of post-sleeve gastrectomy complications.

Current Management and Treatment Paradigms of Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease following Sleeve Gastrectomy.

Obesity is associated with serious comorbidities and economic implications. Bariatric surgery, most commonly Roux-en-Y gastric bypass and sleeve gastrectomy, are effective options for weight loss and the improvement of obesity-related comorbidities. With the growing obesity epidemic, there has been a concomitant rise in bariatric surgeries, particularly in sleeve gastrectomy, which has been the most widely performed bariatric surgery since 2013. Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is highly prevalent in obese individuals, can significantly impact quality of life and may lead to serious complications. Obesity and GERD both improve with weight loss. However, as the incidence of sleeve gastrectomy rises, recent data have revealed a risk of exacerbation of pre-existing GERD or the development of de novo GERD following sleeve gastrectomy. We performed a detailed review of GERD post-sleeve gastrectomy, including its overall incidence, pathophysiology and current treatment paradigms.

Improved radiologic diagnosis of delayed gastric conduit emptying (DGCE) after esophagectomy using a functional upper gastrointestinal contrast study.

BACKGROUND: With increasing incidence of esophageal cancer, a growing number of patients are at risk of developing delayed gastric conduit emptying (DGCE) in the early postoperative phase after esophagectomy. This condition is of great postoperative concern due to its association with adverse outcomes. PURPOSE: To give a narrative review of the literature concerning radiological diagnosis of DGCE after esophagectomy and a proposal for an improved, functional protocol with objective measurements. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The protocol was designed at Virginia Mason Medical Center in Seattle and is based on the Timed Barium Esophagogram (TBE) concept, which has been adapted to assess the passage of contrast from the gastric conduit into the duodenum. RESULTS: The literature review showed a general lack of standardization and scientific evidence behind the use of radiology to assess DGCE. We found that our proposed standardized upper gastrointestinal (UGI) contrast study considers both the time aspect in DGCE and provides morphologic information of the gastric conduit. This radiological protocol was tested on 112 patients in a trial performed at two high-volume centers for esophageal surgery and included an UGI contrast study 2-3 days postoperatively. The study demonstrated that this UGI contrast study can be included in the standardized clinical pathway after esophagectomy. CONCLUSION: This new, proposed UGI contrast study has the potential to diagnose early postoperative DGCE in a standardized manner and to improve overall patient outcomes after esophagectomy.

EAES Multidisciplinary Rapid Guideline: systematic review, meta-analysis, GRADE assessment and evidence-informed recommendations on the surgical management of paraesophageal hernias.

BACKGROUND: New evidence has emerged since latest guidelines on the management of paraesophageal hernia, and guideline development methodology has evolved. Members of the European Association for Endoscopic Surgery have prioritized the management of paraesophageal hernia to be addressed by pertinent recommendations. OBJECTIVE: To develop evidence-informed clinical practice recommendations on paraesophageal hernias, through evidence synthesis and a structured evidence-to-decision framework by an interdisciplinary panel of stakeholders. METHODS: We performed three systematic reviews, and we summarized and appraised the certainty of the evidence using the GRADE methodology. A panel of general and upper gastrointestinal surgeons, gastroenterologists and a patient advocate discussed the evidence in the context of benefits and harms, the certainty of the evidence, acceptability, feasibility, equity, cost and use of resources, moderated by a Guidelines International Network-certified master guideline developer and chair. We developed the recommendations in a consensus meeting, followed by a modified Delphi survey. RESULTS: The panel suggests surgery over conservative management for asymptomatic/minimally symptomatic paraesophageal hernias (conditional recommendation), and recommends conservative management over surgery for asymptomatic/minimally symptomatic paraesophageal hernias in frail patients (strong recommendation). Further, the panel suggests mesh over sutures for hiatal closure in paraesophageal hernia repair, fundoplication over gastropexy in elective paraesophageal hernia repair, and gastropexy over fundoplication in patients who have cardiopulmonary instability and require emergency paraesophageal hernia repair (conditional recommendation). A strong recommendation means that the proposed course of action is appropriate for the vast majority of patients. A conditional recommendation means that most patients would opt for the proposed course of action, and joint decision-making of the surgeon and the patient is required. Accompanying evidence summaries and evidence-to-decision frameworks should be read when using the recommendations. This guideline applies to adult patients with moderate to large paraesophageal hernias type II to IV with at least 50% of the stomach herniated to the thoracic cavity. The full guideline with user-friendly decision aids is available in https://app.magicapp.org/#/guideline/j7q7Gn . CONCLUSION: An interdisciplinary panel provides recommendations on key topics on the management of paraesophageal hernias using highest methodological standards and following a transparent process. GUIDELINE REGISTRATION NUMBER: PREPARE-2023CN018.

Delayed Surgical Intervention After Chemoradiotherapy in Esophageal Cancer: (DICE) Study.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the impact of delayed surgical intervention following chemoradiotherapy (CRT) on survival from esophageal cancer. BACKGROUND: CRT is a core component of multimodality treatment for locally advanced esophageal cancer. The timing of surgery following CRT may influence the probability of performing an oncological resection and the associated operative morbidity. METHODS: This was an international, multicenter, cohort study, including patients from 17 centers who received CRT followed by surgery between 2010 and 2020. In the main analysis, patients were divided into 4 groups based upon the interval between CRT and surgery (0-50, 51-100, 101-200, and >200 days) to assess the impact upon 90-day mortality and 5-year overall survival. Multivariable logistic and Cox regression provided hazard ratios (HRs) with 95% CIs adjusted for relevant patient, oncological, and pathologic confounding factors. RESULTS: A total of 2867 patients who underwent esophagectomy after CRT were included. After adjustment for relevant confounders, prolonged interval following CRT was associated with an increased 90-day mortality compared with 0 to 50 days (reference): 51 to 100 days (HR=1.54, 95% CI: 1.04-2.29), 101 to 200 days (HR=2.14, 95% CI: 1.37-3.35), and >200 days (HR=3.06, 95% CI: 1.64-5.69). Similarly, a poorer 5-year overall survival was also observed with prolonged interval following CRT compared with 0 to 50 days (reference): 101 to 200 days (HR=1.41, 95% CI: 1.17-1.70), and >200 days (HR=1.64, 95% CI: 1.24-2.17). CONCLUSIONS: Prolonged interval following CRT before esophagectomy is associated with increased 90-day mortality and poorer long-term survival. Further investigation is needed to understand the mechanism that underpins these adverse outcomes observed with a prolonged interval to surgery.

Hybrid laparoscopic versus fully robot-assisted minimally invasive esophagectomy: an international propensity-score matched analysis of perioperative outcome.

BACKGROUND: Currently, little is known regarding the optimal technique for the abdominal phase of RAMIE. The aim of this study was to investigate the outcome of robot-assisted minimally invasive esophagectomy (RAMIE) in both the abdominal and thoracic phase (full RAMIE) compared to laparoscopy during the abdominal phase (hybrid laparoscopic RAMIE). METHODS: This retrospective propensity-score matched analysis of the International Upper Gastrointestinal International Robotic Association (UGIRA) database included 807 RAMIE procedures with intrathoracic anastomosis between 2017 and 2021 from 23 centers. RESULTS: After propensity-score matching, 296 hybrid laparoscopic RAMIE patients were compared to 296 full RAMIE patients. Both groups were equal regarding intraoperative blood loss (median 200 ml versus 197 ml, p = 0.6967), operational time (mean 430.3 min versus 417.7 min, p = 0.1032), conversion rate during abdominal phase (2.4% versus 1.7%, p = 0.560), radical resection (R0) rate (95.6% versus 96.3%, p = 0.8526) and total lymph node yield (mean 30.4 versus 29.5, p = 0.3834). The hybrid laparoscopic RAMIE group showed higher rates of anastomotic leakage (28.0% versus 16.6%, p = 0.001) and Clavien Dindo grade 3a or higher (45.3% versus 26.0%, p < 0.001). The length of stay on intensive care unit (median 3 days versus 2 days, p = 0.0005) and in-hospital (median 15 days versus 12 days, p < 0.0001) were longer for the hybrid laparoscopic RAMIE group. CONCLUSIONS: Hybrid laparoscopic RAMIE and full RAMIE were oncologically equivalent with a potential decrease of postoperative complications and shorter (intensive care) stay after full RAMIE.

The impact of an enhanced recovery after surgery pathway for video-assisted and robotic-assisted lobectomy on surgical outcomes and costs: a retrospective single-center cohort study.

To determine the impact of enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) pathway implementation on outcomes and cost of robotic- and video-assisted thoracoscopic (RATS and VATS) lobectomy. Retrospective review of 116 consecutive VATS and RATS lobectomies in the pre-ERAS (Oct 2018-Sep 2019) and ERAS (Oct 2019-Sep 2020) period. Multivariate analysis was used to determine the impact of ERAS and operative approach alone, and in combination, on length of hospital stay (LOS) and overall cost. Operative approach was 49.1% VATS, 50.9% RATS, with 44.8% pre-ERAS, and 55.2% ERAS (median age 68, 65.5% female). ERAS patients had shorter LOS (2.22 vs 3.45 days) and decreased total cost ($15,022 vs $20,155) compared with non-ERAS patients, while RATS was associated with decreased LOS (2.16 vs 4.19 days) and decreased total cost ($14,729 vs $20,484) compared with VATS. The combination of ERAS + RATS showed the shortest LOS and the lowest total cost (1.35 days and $13,588, P < 0.001 vs other combinations). On multivariate analysis, ERAS significantly decreased LOS (P = 0.001) and total cost (P = 0.003) compared with pre-ERAS patients; RATS significantly decreased LOS (P < 0.001) and total cost (P = 0.004) compared with VATS approach. ERAS implementation and robotic approach were independently associated with LOS reduction and cost savings in patients undergoing minimally invasive lobectomy. A combination of ERAS and RATS approach synergistically decreases LOS and overall cost.

UEG and EAES rapid guideline: Update systematic review, network meta-analysis, CINeMA and GRADE assessment, and evidence-informed European recommendations on surgical management of GERD.

BACKGROUND: There are several options for the surgical management of GERD in adults. Previous guidelines and systematic reviews have compared the effects of total fundoplication versus pooled effects of different techniques of partial fundoplication. OBJECTIVE: To develop evidence-informed, trustworthy, pertinent recommendations on the use of total, posterior partial and anterior partial fundoplications for the management of GERD in adults. METHODS: We performed an update systematic review, network meta-analysis, and evidence appraisal using the GRADE and the Confidence in Network Meta-Analysis methodologies. An international, multidisciplinary panel of surgeons, gastroenterologists, and a patient representative reached unanimous consensus through an evidence-to-decision framework to select among multiple interventions, and a Delphi process to formulate the recommendation. The project was developed in an online authoring and publication platform (MAGICapp), and was overseen by an external auditor. RESULTS: We suggest posterior partial fundoplication over total posterior or anterior 90° fundoplication in adult patients with GERD. We suggest anterior >90° fundoplication as an alternative, although relevant comparative evidence is limited (weak recommendation). The guideline, with recommendations, evidence summaries and decision aids in user friendly formats can also be accessed in MAGICapp: https://app.magicapp.org/#/guideline/j20X4n. CONCLUSION: This rapid guideline was developed in line with highest methodological standards and provides evidence-informed recommendations on the surgical management of GERD. It provides user-friendly decision aids to inform healthcare professionals' and patients' decision making.

Analysis of Compliance with Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) Protocol for Esophagectomy.

BACKGROUND: ERAS guidelines have provided an effective recovery approach for esophagectomy. This study aimed to identify the relationship between the length of hospital stay (LOS) and compliance with clinical benchmarks of an established institutional ERAS program. METHODS: A single-center prospective database of esophageal cancer patients was retrospectively analyzed between January 2016 and January 2020. All patients underwent surgery within a standardized ERAS pathway for esophagectomy. Compliance with individual ERAS benchmarks and postoperative outcomes were evaluated according to patient's LOS; accelerated (≤ 6 days, AR), targeted (7-8 days, TR), and delayed recovery (≥ 9 days, DR). RESULTS: The study included 100 consecutive patients undergoing esophagectomy with a median LOS of 7 (3.8-40.8) days, and a 30-day readmission rate of 12.6%. LOS was not affected by comorbidities, tumor type or stage, neoadjuvant therapy, operative approach or anastomotic leak. Postoperative complications were 49.5%, and 90-day mortality was 3.8%. AR, TR, and DL were achieved by 45%, 31%, and 24% of patients, respectively. Postoperative morbidity differed significantly among groups, impacting LOS (p < 0.001). Overall compliance with ERAS protocol was 82.7% and adherence to specific benchmarks was initially (< 48 h) high, but significantly affected by postoperative complications afterwards. CONCLUSIONS: Adherence to recovery benchmarks in patients undergoing esophagectomy is most commonly impacted by postoperative complications. In esophageal cancer surgery, the adherence to ERAS benchmarks after esophagectomy should be regularly audited. Modification to ERAS protocols to increase application in patients with complications should be considered.

Impact of Early Jejunostomy Tube Feeding on Clinical Outcome and Parameters of Body Composition in Esophageal Cancer Patients Receiving Multimodal Therapy.

BACKGROUND: Malnutrition commonly affects patients with esophageal cancer and has the potential to negatively influence treatment outcomes. The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of early (preoperative) jejunostomy tube feeding (JTF) in nutritionally 'high risk' patients receiving multimodal therapy for esophageal cancer. METHODS: Patients were selected to undergo early JTF during neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (nCRT) in accordance with European Society for Clinical Nutrition and Metabolism (ESPEN) and Enhanced Recovery after Surgery (ERAS®) Society guidelines. Clinical outcomes were compared with patients who received routine JTF from the time of esophagectomy. Body composition was determined from computed tomography (CT) images acquired at diagnosis, after nCRT, and ≥ 3 months after surgery. RESULTS: In total, 81 patients received early JTF and 91 patients received routine JTF. Patients who received early JTF had lower body mass index (BMI; 26.1 ± 4.6 vs. 28.4 ± 4.9; p = 0.002), greater weight loss, and worse performance status at diagnosis. Groups were otherwise well-matched for baseline characteristics. Rate of re-intubation (8.8% vs. 1.1%; p = 0.027), pulmonary embolism (5.0% vs. 0.0%; p = 0.046), and 90-day mortality (10.0% vs. 1.1%; p = 0.010) were worse in the early JTF group; however, overall survival was equivalent for both the early and routine JTF groups (p = 0.053). Wide variation in the degree of preoperative muscle loss and total adipose tissue loss was observed across the entire study cohort. Relative preoperative muscle and adipose tissue loss in patients with early and routine JTF was equivalent. CONCLUSIONS: In patients determined to be at 'high risk' of malnutrition, early JTF may prevent excess morbidity after esophagectomy with an associated relative preservation of parameters of body composition.

Systematic review and validation of clinical models predicting survival after oesophagectomy for adenocarcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Oesophageal adenocarcinoma poses a significant global health burden, yet the staging used to predict survival has limited ability to stratify patients by outcome. This study aimed to identify published clinical models that predict survival in oesophageal adenocarcinoma and to evaluate them using an independent international multicentre dataset. METHODS: A systematic literature search (title and abstract) using the Ovid Embase and MEDLINE databases (from 1947 to 11 July 2020) was performed. Inclusion criteria were studies that developed or validated a clinical prognostication model to predict either overall or disease-specific survival in patients with oesophageal adenocarcinoma undergoing surgical treatment with curative intent. Published models were validated using an independent dataset of 2450 patients who underwent oesophagectomy for oesophageal adenocarcinoma with curative intent. RESULTS: Seventeen articles were eligible for inclusion in the study. Eleven models were suitable for testing in the independent validation dataset and nine of these were able to stratify patients successfully into groups with significantly different survival outcomes. Area under the receiver operating characteristic curves for individual survival prediction models ranged from 0.658 to 0.705, suggesting poor-to-fair accuracy. CONCLUSION: This study highlights the need to concentrate on robust methodologies and improved, independent, validation, to increase the likelihood of clinical adoption of survival predictions models.

Evaluation of International Contemporary Operative Outcomes and Management Trends Associated With Esophagectomy: A 4-Year Study of >6000 Patients Using ECCG Definitions and the Online Esodata Database.

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to verify the utility of international online datasets to benchmark and monitor treatment and outcomes in major oncologic procedures. BACKGROUND: The Esophageal Complication Consensus Group (ECCG) has standardized the reporting of complications after esophagectomy within the web-based Esodata.org database. This study will utilize the Esodata dataset to update contemporary outcomes and to monitor trends in practice in an era of rapid technical change. METHODS: This observational study, based on a prospectively developed specific database, updates esophagectomy outcomes collected between 2015 and 2018. Evolution in patient and operative demographics, treatment, complications, and quality outcome measures were compared between patients undergoing surgery in 2015 to 2016 and 2017 to 2018. RESULTS: Between 2015 and 2018, 6022 esophagectomies from 39 centers were entered into Esodata. Most patients were male (78.3%) with median age 63. Patients having minimally invasive esophagectomy constituted 3177 (52.8%), a chest anastomosis 3838 (63.7%), neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy 2834 (48.7%), and R0 resections 5441 (93.5%). For quality measures, 30- and 90-day mortality was 2.0% and 4.5%, readmissions 9.7%, transfusions 12%, escalation in care 22.1%, and discharge home 89.4%. Trends in quality measures between 2015 and 2016 (2407 patients) and 2017 and 2018 (3318 patients) demonstrated significant (P < 0.05) improvements in readmissions 11.1% to 8.5%, blood transfusions 14.3% to 10.2%, and escalation in care from 24.5% to 20% A significantly (P < 0.05) reduced incidence in pneumonia (15.3%-12.8%) and renal failure (1.0%-0.4%) was observed. Anastomotic leak rates increased from 11.7% to 13.1%, whereas leaks requiring surgery decreased 3.3% and 3.0%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The Esodata database provides a valuable resource for assessing contemporary international outcomes. This study highlights an increased application of minimally invasive approaches, a high percentage of complications, improvements in pneumonia and key quality metrics, but with anastomotic leak rates still >10%.

Is Local Endoscopic Resection a Viable Therapeutic Option for Early Clinical Stage T1a and T1b Esophageal Adenocarcinoma?: A Propensity-matched Analysis.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the outcome of endoscopic resection (ER) versus esophagectomy in node-negative cT1a and cT1b esophageal adenocarcinoma. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: The role of ER in the management of subsets of clinical T1N0 esophageal adenocarcinoma is controversial. METHODS: Data from the National Cancer Database (2010-2015) were used to identify patients with clinical T1aN0 (n = 2545) and T1bN0 (n = 1281) esophageal adenocarcinoma that received either ER (cT1a, n = 1581; cT1b, n = 335) or esophagectomy (cT1a, n = 964; cT1b, n = 946). Propensity score matching and Cox analyses were used to account for treatment selection bias. RESULTS: ER for cT1a and cT1b disease was performed more commonly over time. The rates of node-positive disease in patients with cT1a and cT1b esophageal adenocarcinoma were 4% and 15%, respectively. In the matched cohort for cT1a cancers, ER had similar survival to esophagectomy [hazard ratio (HR): 0.85, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.70-1.04, P = 0.1]. The corresponding 5-year survival for ER and esophagectomy were 70% and 74% (P = 0.1), respectively. For cT1b cancers, there was no statistically significant difference in overall survival between the treatment groups (HR: 0.87, 95% CI: 0.66-1.14, P = 0.3). The corresponding 5-year survival for ER and esophagectomy were 53% versus 61% (P = 0.3), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates ER has comparable long-term outcomes for clinical T1aN0 and T1bN0 esophageal adenocarcinoma. However, 15% of patients with cT1b esophageal cancer were found to have positive nodal disease. Future research should seek to identify the subset of T1b cancers at high risk of nodal metastasis and thus would benefit from esophagectomy with lymphadenectomy.

Development of a Reliable Surgical Quality Assurance System for 2-stage Esophagectomy in Randomized Controlled Trials.

OBJECTIVE: The aim was to develop a reliable surgical quality assurance system for 2-stage esophagectomy. This development was conducted during the pilot phase of the multicenter ROMIO trial, collaborating with international experts. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: There is evidence that the quality of surgical performance in randomized controlled trials influences clinical outcomes, quality of lymphadenectomy and loco-regional recurrence. METHODS: Standardization of 2-stage esophagectomy was based on structured observations, semi-structured interviews, hierarchical task analysis, and a Delphi consensus process. This standardization provided the structure for the operation manual and video and photographic assessment tools. Reliability was examined using generalizability theory. RESULTS: Hierarchical task analysis for 2-stage esophagectomy comprised fifty-four steps. Consensus (75%) agreement was reached on thirty-nine steps, whereas fifteen steps had a majority decision. An operation manual and record were created. A thirty five-item video assessment tool was developed that assessed the process (safety and efficiency) and quality of the end product (anatomy exposed and lymphadenectomy performed) of the operation. The quality of the end product section was used as a twenty seven-item photographic assessment tool. Thirty-one videos and fifty-three photographic series were submitted from the ROMIO pilot phase for assessment. The overall G-coefficient for the video assessment tool was 0.744, and for the photographic assessment tool was 0.700. CONCLUSIONS: A reliable surgical quality assurance system for 2-stage esophagectomy has been developed for surgical oncology randomized controlled trials. ETHICAL APPROVAL: 11/NW/0895 and confirmed locally as appropriate, 12/SW/0161, 16/SW/0098.Trial registration number: ISRCTN59036820, ISRCTN10386621.

ERAS guidelines-driven upper gastrointestinal contrast study after esophagectomy.

BACKGROUND: Early nasogastric tube (NGT) removal is a component of enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) protocol for esophagectomy. The aim of this study is to assess a protocol-driven application of UGI contrast study to facilitate early NGT removal and direct a standardized therapeutic response in patients with evidence for delayed gastric conduit emptying (DGCE). METHODS: All patients undergoing esophagectomy between January 2017 and October 2019 were prospectively enrolled. Esophageal resections were performed through different surgical approaches involving gastric conduit reconstruction. A standardized clinical protocol (SCP) was systematically applied, which targeted a UGI contrast study on POD 2-3 to allow immediate NGT removal or initiate DGCE protocols. RESULTS: This study enrolled 50 patients undergoing open Ivor Lewis (42%), left thoracoabdominal (46%), and three-field procedure (12%) with gastric conduit reconstruction and either upper thoracic (66%) or cervical (34%) anastomosis. Jejunostomy was routinely placed while pyloric procedures were not performed. Patients achieving targeted contrast study (86%) demonstrated significantly earlier NGT removal (p-value 0.010), oral protocol initiation (0.001), and decreased length of hospital stay (6 vs 10 days, 0.024). Four patients (8%) presented with radiology signs of DCGE and underwent protocoled treatment, eventually achieving discharge similar to the overall study population (7 vs 8.5 days). CONCLUSIONS: Protocol-driven UGI contrast study can effectively provide objective data facilitating early NGT removal and discharge. Patients with DGCE can successfully undergo intervention to improve conduit emptying and adhere to ERAS discharge goals.

Impact of standardized clinical pathways on esophagectomy: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Esophageal surgery is historically associated with adverse postoperative outcomes. Selected high-volume centers have previously reported the effect on clinical outcomes following the adoption of a standardized clinical pathway (SCP). This meta-analysis aims to evaluate the current literature to document the effect of SCP and enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) on esophagectomy outcomes. A literature search was conducted through the main search engines (PubMed, Embase, Medline, and Cochrane database) in accordance with Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis guidelines. All eligible comparative studies (randomized control trial, prospective, retrospective, and combined) were identified and assessed based on Methodological Index for Non-Randomized Studies and Jadad quality criteria. Data concerning overall morbidity, early mortality, and length of stay (LOS) were primarily collected and compared. Secondary outcomes included anastomotic leaks, pulmonary complications, and readmission rate. Twenty-six articles (including five randomized controlled trials and six prospective trials) were included in the analysis. Overall study quality was moderate and the included studies utilized a variable approach to SCP. No statistically significant differences were found between groups in terms of overall morbidity, postoperative mortality, anastomotic leak, and readmission rates. Significant improvements included pulmonary complications (odds ratios [OR] 0.66, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.49-0.94) and hospital LOS (OR -3.68, 95% CI -4.49 to -2.87). Previous reports of SCP within esophagectomy programs have demonstrated clinical improvements in postoperative pulmonary complications and LOS. Given the high heterogeneity historically demonstrated within SCPs, further improvement in outcomes should be expected following the adoption of standardized ERAS guidelines.

Worldwide Techniques and Outcomes in Robot-assisted Minimally Invasive Esophagectomy (RAMIE): Results From the Multicenter International Registry.

OBJECTIVE: This international multicenter study by the Upper GI International Robotic Association aimed to gain insight in current techniques and outcomes of RAMIE worldwide. BACKGROUND: Current evidence for RAMIE originates from single-center studies, which may not be generalizable to the international multicenter experience. METHODS: Twenty centers from Europe, Asia, North-America, and South-America participated from 2016 to 2019. Main endpoints included the surgical techniques, clinical outcomes, and early oncological results of ramie. RESULTS: A total of 856 patients undergoing transthoracic RAMIE were included. Robotic surgery was applied for both the thoracic and abdominal phase (45%), only the thoracic phase (49%), or only the abdominal phase (6%). In most cases, the mediastinal lymphadenectomy included the low paraesophageal nodes (n=815, 95%), subcarinal nodes (n = 774, 90%), and paratracheal nodes (n = 537, 63%). When paratracheal lymphadenectomy was performed during an Ivor Lewis or a McKeown RAMIE procedure, recurrent laryngeal nerve injury occurred in 3% and 11% of patients, respectively. Circular stapled (52%), hand-sewn (30%), and linear stapled (18%) anastomotic techniques were used. In Ivor Lewis RAMIE, robot-assisted hand-sewing showed the highest anastomotic leakage rate (33%), while lower rates were observed with circular stapling (17%) and linear stapling (15%). In McKeown RAMIE, a hand-sewn anastomotic technique showed the highest leakage rate (27%), followed by linear stapling (18%) and circular stapling (6%). CONCLUSION: This study is the first to provide an overview of the current techniques and outcomes of transthoracic RAMIE worldwide. Although these results indicate high quality of the procedure, the optimal approach should be further defined.

Assessment of Health Related Quality of Life and Digestive Symptoms in Long-term, Disease Free Survivors After Esophagectomy.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate long-term HRQOL and symptom evolution in disease free patients up to 20 years after esophagectomy. BACKGROUND: Esophagectomy has been associated with decreased HRQOL and persistent gastrointestinal symptoms. METHODS: The study cohort was identified from 2 high volume centers for the management of esophageal cancer. Patients completed HRQOL and symptom questionnaires, including: Digestive Symptom Questionnaire, EORTC QLQ-C30, EORTC QLQ-OG25 Euro QoL 5D, and SF36. Patients were assessed in 3 cohorts: <1 year; 1-5 years, and; >5 years after surgery. RESULTS: In total 171 of 222 patients who underwent esophagectomy between 1991 and 2017 who met inclusion criteria and were contactable, responded to the questionnaires, corresponding to a response rate of 77%. Median age was 66.2 years, and median time from operation to survey was 5.6 years (range 0.3-23.1). Early satiety was the most commonly reported symptom in all patients irrespective of timeframe (87.4%; range 82%-92%). Dysphagia was seen to decrease over time (58% at <2 years; 28% at 2-5 years; 20% at >5 years; P = 0.013). Weight loss scores demonstrated nonstatistical improvement over time. All other symptom scores including heartburn, regurgitation, respiratory symptoms, and pain scores remained constant over time. Average HRQOL did not improve from levels 1 year after surgery compared to patients up to 23 years after esophagectomy. CONCLUSION: With the exception of dysphagia, which improved over time, esophagectomy was associated with decreased HRQOL and lasting gastrointestinal symptoms up to 20 years after surgery. Pertinently however long-term survivors after oesophagectomy demonstrated comparable to improved HRQOL compared to the general population. The impact of esophagectomy on gastrointestinal symptoms and long-term HRQOL should be considered when counseling and caring for patients undergoing esophagectomy.