Differences in the pattern of anastomotic leakage after oesophagectomy in two high-volume centres

Lars Bo Svendsen, Lone Susanne Jensen, Jakob Holm, Steen Christian Kofoed, Hans Pilegaard, Louise Preisler, Marianne Vinbæk, Bodil Brandt, Morten Svendsen, GEJ Danish Oesophagus, Gastric Cancer Group

7 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

IntroductIon: Complications to oesophageal and junc-tional cancer surgery are common and have not diminished much during the past ten years. An unusually high occurrence of anastomotic dehiscence occurred in Denmark in 2009 and 2010 as seen in the national database for oesophagus, cardiac and gastric cancer (ECV). MaterIal and Methods: In accordance with national guidelines, all patients resected for oesophageal and junc-tional cancer in Denmark from 2003 were prospectively entered into a national database. Data concerning anaesthesia, peri- and post-operative course, complications, re-op e ra tions and time spent in intensive care unit were obtained retrospectively from hospital records. An in-depth analysis of data from two high-volume centres performing ECV cancer surgery according to national guidelines was performed. Results: A total of 881 patients (Centre 1: 438; Centre 2: 443) were resected for oesophageal and junctional cancer. A total of 79 patients with anastomotic insufficiency (AI) were detected (Centre 1: 36; Centre 2: 43). By using a grading system, it was shown that AI was more severe and occurred earlier in one centre than in the other. Possible factors of influence are discussed, including neoadjuvant oncological therapy, use of thoracoscopically performed anastomosis and perioperative inotrophic drugs. conclusIon: Thanks to the establishment of a nationwide database in pursuance of national guidelines, it was possible to detect variations in quality of surgery over time, evalu ate serious complications early and undertake an in-depth analysis of possible aetiological factors. Particularly, comparison was facilitated by the use of a standardised grading system for complications.

Original languageEnglish
Article numberA4733
JournalDanish Medical Bulletin (Online)
Volume60
Issue number12
Number of pages5
ISSN1603-9629
Publication statusPublished - Dec 2013

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