End-to-end versus end-to-side hand-sewn anastomosis following esophago-gastrostomy after oesophageal resection for carcinoma oesophagus

Background

Anastomotic leakage and stricture are leading causes of morbidity following oesophageal resection for carcinoma oesophagus. The standard and optimal site of anastomosis and anastomotic technique for esophagogastric reconstruction is not conclusive, and data is limited. This study is to compare short term outcomes of single-layered hand-sewn cervical end-to-side (ETS) anastomosis with end-to-end (ETE) anastomosis following esophagectomy. Materials and Methods: Between May 2013 to May 2019, the clinical data of 126 consecutive patients who underwent transthoracic, trans hiatal or minimally invasive esophagectomy at a single academic centre were reviewed retrospectively. The 126 patients comprised 64 patients in the ETE group and 62 patients in the ETS group. All patients are followed up for a minimum period of 1 year. Short-term outcomes including leakage, stricture, operative features and other surgical complications were analysed for a comparison of the two configuration.