Eliminating the cervical esophagogastric anastomotic leak with a side-to-side stapled anastomosis.

Abstract

Although the acute postoperative complications of a cervical esophagogastric anastomosis are less than those with an intrathoracic esophageal anastomosis, the long-term sequelae of a cervical anastomotic leak are not as minor as initially reported. Nearly 50% of cervical anastomotic leaks result in an anastomotic stricture, and the subsequent need for chronic dilatations negates the merits of an operation intended to restore comfortable swallowing. This study was undertaken to determine whether construction of a side-to-side stapled cervical esophagogastric anastomosis after transhiatal esophagectomy could reliably eliminate the majority of anastomotic leaks. In 114 consecutive patients undergoing transhiatal esophagectomy, a functional side-to-side cervical esophagogastric anastomosis was constructed with the Auto Suture Endo-GIA II stapler (United States Surgical Corporation, Auto Suture Company Division, Norwalk, Conn) applied directly through the cervical wound. This side-to-side stapled anastomosis has 3 rows of staples. Early postoperative anastomotic morbidity, subsequent need for anastomotic dilatations, and patient satisfaction with swallowing were evaluated. Before the side-to-side stapled anastomosis, the incidence of cervical esophagogastric anastomosis leak in over 1000 patients undergoing transhiatal esophagectomy having a manually sewn anastomosis varied from 10% to 15%. Among the 111 survivors of transhiatal esophagectomy and a side-to-side stapled anastomosis, there were 3 (2.7%) clinically significant anastomotic leaks. This lowered incidence of leaks has contributed to reduction in the average length of stay after an uncomplicated transhiatal esophagectomy to 7 days and has provided more comfortable swallowing, ease of subsequent esophageal dilatations, and greater patient satisfaction. Construction of the cervical esophagogastric anastomosis with a side-to-side stapled anastomosis greatly reduces the frequency of anastomotic leaks and later strictures. The side-to-side stapled anastomosis is a major technical advance in the progression of refinements of transhiatal esophagectomy and a cervical esophagogastric anastomosis.