Comparative analysis of cis-cutting and retro-cutting techniques in gastric tube fabrication for preventing postoperative anastomotic leakage after esophagectomy.

Abstract

The construction of a gastric-tube-substitute esophagus is a common method for digestive tract reconstruction after esophagectomy. However, the incidence of postoperative anastomotic leakage remains high. This study aims to compare the effectiveness of 2 gastric tube fabrication methods-cis-cutting and retro-cutting-in reducing postoperative anastomotic leakage. We retrospectively analyzed 253 patients who underwent McKeown radical esophagectomy for esophageal cancer at the Second Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University from February 2021 to February 2024. Patients were divided into cis-cut (n = 126) and retro-cut (n = 127) groups on the basis of the surgical technique used. The incidence of anastomotic leakage was compared, and logistic regression was used to identify risk factors. Anastomotic leakage (16.7%, 21/126 vs 3.9%, 5/127; P < .001) and stricture (28.6%, 36/126 vs 15%, 19/127; P = .009) rates were lower in the retro-cut group than the cis-cut group. Multivariable analysis identified the gastric tube fabrication method in the cis-cut group as an independent risk factor (odds ratio, 3.390; 95% confidence interval, 1.147-10.018; P = .027) for postoperative anastomotic leakage. Retro-cut gastric tube fabrication significantly reduces the incidence of anastomotic leakage and anastomotic stricture, suggesting its suitability as a standard technique for esophageal reconstruction.