Wrapping of the omental pedicle flap around esophagogastric anastomosis after esophagectomy for esophageal cancer. Use of pedicled omentum in esophagogastric anastomosis for prevention of anastomotic leak. Omission of nasogastric tube application in postoperative care of esophagectomy. Nasojejunal tube placement after total gastrectomy: a multicenter prospective randomized trial. Defunctioning loop ileostomy with low anterior resection for distal rectal cancer: should we make an ileostomy as a routine procedure? A prospective randomized study. Comparison of J-pouch and coloplasty pouch for low rectal cancers: a randomized, controlled trial investigating functional results and comparative anastomotic leak rates. The influence of mechanical bowel preparation in elective lower colorectal surgery. Randomized clinical trial on the combination of preoperative irradiation and surgery in the treatment of esophageal carcinoma: report on 206 patients. Defunctioning stoma reduces symptomatic anastomotic leakage after low anterior resection of the rectum for cancer: a randomized multicenter trial.
Esophagogastrectomy for esophageal cancer is the standard surgical treatment as a curative measure or for palliation. Esophagogastric anastomotic leakage and stricture are common life-threatening postoperative complications (more so if the leakage occurs in the chest), and the success of the anastomosis created in the reconstruction of the resected esophagus can highly influence morbidity and mortality.
                A prospective, randomized study was undertaken on 291 patients treated for carcinoma of the esophagus between January 2004 and December 2008. The study excluded 36 patients (12%) who were inoperable. Patients were assigned to 2 treatment groups that consisted of 128 patients in group A and 127 patients in group B according to a restricted, permuted block randomization plan. Patients in group A underwent an esophagogastrectomy with wrapping of the pedicle omental flap around the esophagogastric anastomosis. Group B patients underwent an esophagogastrectomy with only a stapled technique.
                Of all 255 patients who received an esophagogastric anastomosis, 226 (89%) were discharged from the hospital within 15 days of operation. There was no significant difference between these 2 groups in regard to the incidence of pulmonary complications, abdominal or thoracic infections, and days of hospital stay. Anastomotic leaks occurred in a single patient from group A (1%) and in 7 patients from group B (6%). In group A, 33 patients underwent transhiatal esophagogastrectomy and 95 had thoracic esophagogastrectomy, which resulted in an anastomotic leakage in 1 (3%) and 0 (0%) patients, respectively. In group B, 42 patients had transhiatal esophagogastrectomy and 85 had thoracic esophagogastrectomy, which resulted in anastomotic leakage in 5 (12%) and 2 (2%) patients, respectively. The leakage ratio of group B was significant greater than that of group A (P < .05). Two patients were excluded during the evaluation of the benign stricture due to hospital mortality. Anastomotic strictures were noted in 8 patients from group A (6%) and 20 patients from group B (16%), and the difference in the incidence of anastomotic strictures between these 2 groups was statistically significant (P < .05).
                Wrapping of the pedicle omental flap around the esophagogastric stapled anastomosis site decreases the incidence of anastomotic leakage and stricture rate after esophagectomy for esophageal cancer, thereby decreasing the morbidity and mortality of the procedure.
                Copyright © 2011 Mosby, Inc. All rights reserved. Esophagogastrectomy for carcinoma of the esophagus is the standard surgical treatment for cure or palliation. Esophagogastric anastomotic leakage is a life-threatening postoperative complication, more so if the leakage occurs in the chest.
                A prospective, randomized study was conducted on 238 patients treated for carcinoma of the esophagus between January 2000 and January 2006. The study excluded 44 patients (18.49%) who were inoperable. The patients were assigned to two treatment groups of 97 each (A and B) according to a restricted permuted block randomization plan. Group A patients underwent esophagogastrectomy with wrapping of the pedicled omentum around the esophagogastric anastomosis. Group B patients underwent esophagogastrectomy without using the omental graft. An Ivor-Lewis type esophagogastrectomy (TTE) was done in 122 patients (62.89%) and a transhiatal esophagogastrectomy (THE) was done in 72 (37.11%).
                Anastomotic leaks occurred in 3 group A patients (3.09%) and in 14 (14.43%) group B patients. In group A, 54 patients underwent THE and 43 had TTE, with anastomotic leakage in 2 (3.70%) and 1 (2.33%) patients, respectively. In group B, 48 patients had THE and 49 had TTE, with anastomotic leakage in 8 (16.26%) and 6 (12.24%), respectively. The difference in the incidence of leakage was statistically significant (p = 0.005). There was no complication related to the omental graft technique nor was there a significant difference in the mortality between the two groups.
                The pedicled omental transposition for reinforcing the anastomotic suture line significantly reduces the incidence of leakage after esophagogastrectomy for carcinoma of the esophagus, thus decreasing the morbidity and mortality of the procedure. Surgeons routinely use nasogastric (NG) tubes in most esophageal resection surgeries. Considering the numerous complications caused by using the tube and the uncertainty about its usefulness and the scarcity of studies conducted on the subject, particularly in patients with esophageal cancer, the necessity of using the tube in these types of cases is investigated in the present study.
                In this clinical trial, patients with esophageal cancer were randomized into groups with NG tube and without NG tube after surgery; the latter were prescribed metoclopramide, as well. The variables recorded for each patient included the first day of gas passage, defecation and bowel sounds (BSs) auscultation, as well as the duration of postoperative hospitalization, nausea and vomiting, abdominal distension, pulmonary complications, wound complications, anastomosis leak, and the need for placing/replacing the NG tube.
                The incidence of anastomosis leak was significantly higher in the NG-tube group (6 vs. 0; P=0.016). Other complications were not different in the two groups. The mean time of gas passage, defecation, BS auscultation, and the duration of postoperative hospitalization did not have meaningful differences in the two groups. The need for placing/replacing the NG tube was the same for both groups.
                The routine application of NG tubes after surgery is not recommended for all patients. We suggest that NG tubes should be used according to the specific problems of each patient. Anastomotic disruption of the Roux-en-Y esophagojejunostomy after total gastrectomy is an infrequent complication that may lead to severe morbidity and mortality. Consequently, a nasojejunal tube (NJT) is frequently placed when this operation is performed. However, no studies have compared routine vs no placement of an NJT in patients undergoing total gastrectomy for gastric cancer, to our knowledge.
                Randomized controlled trial to assess the need for routine nasojejunal decompression after total gastrectomy with Roux-en-Y esophagojejunostomy in patients with gastric cancer.
                Tertiary care centers.
                Two hundred thirty-seven patients undergoing total gastrectomy for gastric cancer were randomly assigned to NJT placement (NJT group) or not (no-NJT group). The patients were monitored for postoperative complications, mortality, and postoperative course.
                Incidence of esophagojejunostomy leak.
                The rates of anastomotic leak were similar in both groups (6.9% and 5.8% for the NJT group and no-NJT group, respectively; P = .71), as were the rates of major postoperative complications (25.9% and 21.5%, respectively; P = .42) and overall postoperative mortality (0.9% and 0.8%, respectively; P = .50). There were no differences between the 2 groups in the mean+/-SD time to passage of flatus (4.6 +/- 1.3 and 4.5 +/- 1.7 days, respectively) or to starting a liquid diet (7.8 +/- 2.6 and 7.7 +/- 1.6 days, respectively), postoperative length of hospital stay (13.5 +/- 7.3 and 13.9 +/- 10.9 days, respectively), postoperative pain, or postoperative abdominal distention.
                Routine placement of an NJT after Roux-en-Y esophagojejunostomy is unnecessary in elective total gastrectomy for gastric cancer. Anastomotic leakage is a major problem in colorectal surgery particularly in low rectal cancer. The defunctioning loop ileostomy was introduced as a technique to create a manageable stoma that would divert the fecal stream from a more distal anastomosis in order to reduce the consequences of any anastomotic leakage. Therefore, the use of a defunctioning stoma has been suggested, but limited data exist to clearly determine the necessity of routine diversion. This study was designed to evaluate early morbidity, mortality and hospital stay in patients undergoing lower rectal cancer surgery concerned with or without loop ileostomy.
                This is a prospective randomized study that was performed between May 2001 and March 2008. There were 256 patients who underwent elective low anterior resection and stapler anastomosis. They were divided into two groups. Group A consisted of 120 patients who underwent straight anastomosis without ileostomy and group B consisted of 136 patients who underwent straight anastomosis with loop ileostomy. Data regarding patient demographics, underlying pathology, anastomotic problems, and ileostomy-related problems were gathered. The patients were all monitored closely after surgery for an anastomotic leak and all stoma-related complications were recorded. Inclusion criteria consisted of biopsy proven adenocarcinoma of the rectum located at < or = 5 cm above the anal verge, age > or = 22 years, and informed consent. Exclusion criteria included age more than 90 years, associated co morbid conditions Stage IV with disease spread to liver and peritoneum.
                Indications for surgery were lower rectal cancer (n=256). Mean age 55.5 years (range 22-90 years) and a male: female ratio of 1.1:1. All patients were undergoing elective surgery for lower rectal cancer. In our study 12 patients in group A developed anastomotic leak, two of them were re-explored for anastomotic leak and Hartman's colostomy was carried out. There were two deaths in Group A. In group B anastomotic leak was seen in three patients. In all three, anastomotic healing took place at a later period of time on the 18th, 20th, and 25th postoperative day respectively without any additional morbidity and mortality. Ileostomy-related problems were minor and limited to the stoma and complaints requiring stoma nurse evaluation (n=8), dehydration requiring outpatient care (n=3), bleeding at the stoma closure site (n=l). No stoma site hernias have been identified so far.
                The use of defunctioning loop ileostomy in all patients undergoing lower rectal surgery with stapler anastomosis is beneficial and safe. Defunctioning loop ileostomy use has resulted in no anastomotic leak rate and considerable low morbidity. So according to our study, we strongly recommend defunctioning loop ileostomy as a routine procedure in patients undergoing lower rectal cancer surgery. To assess the efficacy of a novel coloplasty colonic pouch design in optimizing bowel function after ultralow anterior resection.
                A colonic J-pouch may reduce excessive stool frequency and incontinence after anterior resection, but at the risk of evacuation problems. Experimental surgery on pigs has suggested that a coloplasty pouch (CP) may be a useful alternative. Although CP has recently been shown to be feasible in patients, there is no randomized controlled trial comparing bowel function with the J-pouch.
                After anterior resection for cancer, patients were allocated to either J-pouch or CP-anal anastomoses. Continence scoring, anorectal manometry, and endoanal ultrasound assessments were made before surgery. All complications were recorded, and these preoperative assessments were repeated at 4 months. The assessments were repeated again at 1 year, and a quality of life questionnaire was added.
                Eighty-eight patients were recruited from October 1998 to April 2000. Both groups were well matched for age, gender, staging, adjuvant therapy, and mean follow-up. There were no differences in the intraoperative time and hospital stay. CP resulted in more anastomotic leaks. At 4 months, J-pouch patients had 10.3% less stool fragmentation but poorer stool deferment and more nocturnal leakage. However, there were no differences in the bowel function, continence score, and quality of life at 1 year. There were no differences in the anorectal manometry and endoanal ultrasound findings.
                Coloplasty pouches resulted in more anastomotic leaks and minimal differences in bowel function. At present, the J-pouch remains the benchmark for routine clinical practice, and due care (including defunctioning stoma) should be exercised in situations requiring CP. This study evaluates the effects of mechanical bowel preparation (MBP) on anastomosis below the peritoneal verge and questions the influence of MBP on anastomotic leakage in combination with a diverting ileostomy in lower colorectal surgery.
                In a previous large multicenter randomized controlled trial MBP has shown to have no influence on the incidence of anastomotic leakage in overall colorectal surgery. The role of MBP in lower colorectal surgery with or without a diverting ileostomy remains unclear.
                This study is a subgroup analysis of a prior multicenter (13 hospitals) randomized trial comparing clinical outcome of MBP versus no MBP. Primary end point was the occurrence of anastomotic leakage and secondary endpoints were septic complications and mortality.
                Total of 449 Patients underwent a low anterior resection with a primary anastomosis below the peritoneal verge. The incidence of anastomotic leakage was 7.6% for patients who received MBP and 6.6% for patients who did not. Significant risk factors for anastomotic leakage were the American Society of Anesthesiologists-classification (P = 0.005) and male gender (P = 0.007). Of total, 48 patients received a diverting ileostomy during initial surgery; 27 patients received MBP and 21 patients did not. There were no significant differences regarding septic complications and mortality between both groups.
                MBP has no influence on the incidence of anastomotic leakage in low colorectal surgery. Furthermore, omitting MBP in combination with a diverting ileostomy has no influence on the incidence of anastomotic leakage, septic complications, and mortality rate. From June 1977 to May 1985, a prospective randomized clinical trial on pre-operative radiation for esophageal carcinoma was carried out in 206 patients. Lesions under 8 cm in length and patients younger than 65 years, at least on semi-liquid diet and not contra-indicated for surgery were randomized into a combined group (104 patients) or a surgery alone group (102 patients). Eight MV X ray units were used for the pre-operative radiation using A-P portals to deliver 4,000 cGy to the whole mediastinum and the left gastroepiploic lymphatic chain. Surgery was carried out after 2 to 4 week's rest. The immediate results of the combined group and the surgery alone group were: resection rate 93% and 85%, operative mortality 5% and 6%, intra-thoracic anastomotic leak 0% and 1%, positive pathology at the esophageal stump 0% and 2%, and lymph nodes metastasis 27% and 35% respectively. The 5-year survival rates of the combined group and the surgery alone group were 35% and 30%. We have noticed that those patients with lesions showing radiation reaction of grade III gave a 5-year survival of 50% (12/24). Because intra- and extra-thoracic lymphnode metastasis caused failures (41% and 34% of these two groups), increasing the preoperative tumor dose to 60 Gy or designing post-operative irradiation to cover the bilateral supraclavicular areas was necessary. The whole mediastinum and the left gastroepiploic lymphatics could further improve the results of surgery. Further studies are needed. The aim of this randomized multicenter trial was to assess the rate of symptomatic anastomotic leakage in patients operated on with low anterior resection for rectal cancer and who were intraoperatively randomized to a defunctioning stoma or not.
                The introduction of total mesorectal excision surgery as the surgical technique of choice for carcinoma in the lower and mid rectum has led to decreased local recurrence and improved oncological results. Despite these advances, perioperative morbidity remains a major issue, and the most feared complication is symptomatic anastomotic leakage. The role of the defunctioning stoma in regard to anastomotic leakage is controversial and has not been assessed in any randomized trial of sufficient size.
                From December 1999 to June 2005, a total of 234 patients were randomized to a defunctioning loop stoma or no loop stoma. Loop ileostomy or loop transverse colostomy was at the choice of the surgeon. Inclusion criteria for randomization were expected survival >6 months, informed consent, anastomosis < or =7 cm above the anal verge, negative air leakage test, intact anastomotic rings, and absence of major intraoperative adverse events.
                The overall rate of symptomatic leakage was 19.2% (45 of 234). Patients randomized to a defunctioning stoma (n = 116) had leakage in 10.3% (12 of 116) and those without stoma (n = 118) in 28.0% (33 of 118) (odds ratio = 3.4; 95% confidence interval, 1.6-6.9; P < 0.001). The need for urgent abdominal reoperation was 8.6% (10 of 116) in those randomized to stoma and 25.4% (30 of 118) in those without (P < 0.001). After a follow-up of median 42 months (range, 6-72 months), 13.8% (16 of 116) of the initially defunctioned patients still had a stoma of any kind, compared with 16.9% (20 of 118) those not defunctioned (not significant). The 30-day mortality after anterior resection was 0.4% (1 of 234) and after elective reversal a defunctioning stoma 0.9% (1 of 111). Median age was 68 years (range, 32-86 years), 45.3% (106 of 234) were females, 79.1% (185 of 234) had preoperative radiotherapy, the level of anastomosis was median 5 cm, and intraoperative blood loss 550 mL, without differences between the groups.
                Defunctioning loop stoma decreased the rate of symptomatic anastomotic leakage and is therefore recommended in low anterior resection for rectal cancer.
Omentoplasty may provide an additional benefit to decrease the incidence of anastomotic leakage after esophagectomy and esophagogastrostomy for esophageal cancer patients without increasing or decreasing other complications, especially for those patients treated with THE. Further randomized controlled trials are still needed to investigate the influences of omentoplasty in different operation procedures of esophagectomy and esophagogastrostomy on the incidence of anastomotic leakage, anastomotic stricture, long-term survival rate and quality of life after esophagectomy and esophagogastrostomy.