Long-term outcomes following minimally invasive and open esophagectomy in Finland: A population-based study

BackgroundStudies of long-term survival after minimally invasive and open esophagectomy are needed. The aim of this study was to compare long-term outcomes following minimally invasive and open esophagectomy for esophageal cancer at the population level.MethodsAll patients undergoing minimally invasive (n = 159) or open transthoracic (n = 431) esophagectomy for esophageal cancer in Finland between 2004 and 2014 were identified from nationwide registries. Propensity score matching was used to create groups of 150 minimally invasive and open esophagectomies with balanced baseline characteristics (sex, age, comorbidity, center volume, year of surgery, histology, stage (local or locally advanced), and neoadjuvant therapy). The primary outcome was 1-year survival after surgery. Secondary outcomes were the 3-year, 5-year, and 90-day survival.ResultsThe propensity matched 1-year survival rate was 85.3% after minimally invasive and 74.7% after open esophagectomy (adjusted HR 0.53, 95% CI 0.31–0.89; P = 0.0174). At 3 years, those were 68.7% and 55.6% (adjusted HR 0.62; 95% CI 0.43–0.91; P = 0.0144), respectively; at 5 years, survival rates were 61.8% and 51.9% (adjusted HR 0.68, 95% CI 0.47–0.97; P = 0.0347). The 30- and 90-day survival rates after minimally invasive and open surgery were 99.3% vs. 98.0% and 97.3% vs. 92.0%, respectively, without statistical significance.ConclusionsIn this population-based propensity matched study, minimally invasive esophagectomy was associated with improved long-term survival. Due to multiple confounding factors replication studies are needed.     

端端分层吻合加胃底套入包埋在微创食管癌切除术中的应用

背景与目的：食管癌术中胃与食管吻合的方式有多种,每种吻合方式各有优缺点。探讨端端分层吻合加胃底套入包埋在微创食管癌切除术中的安全性和实用性。方法：回顾并分析2019年4月—2021年4月在自贡市第四人民医院接受微创食管癌切除术的129例患者的临床病理学资料。全部患者采用胸腹腔镜联合下颈胸腹三切口（McKeown术式）的食管癌切除方法,胸部操作在胸腔镜下完成,腹部操作在腹腔镜下完成。根据吻合方式分为端端分层吻合组（87例）和端侧器械吻合组（42例）。术后随访比较两组的并发症,其中吻合口瘘、吻合口狭窄、胃食管反流是本研究的主要观察目标。结果：129例患者均顺利完成微创食管癌切除手术。端端分层吻合组术前接受新辅助治疗的患者较端侧器械吻合组多（12.0%vs2.3%,P=0.037）,两组患者的其余基本临床资料差异无统计学意义（P>0.05）。两组的平均手术时间无显著差异。端侧器械吻合组的吻合时间少于端端分层吻合组[（32.0±6.8）min vs (15.0±5.4)min,P=0.021]。两组术后并发症中吻合口瘘（1.1%vs 11.9%,P=0.023）、胃食管反流（9.1%vs...     

Neoadjuvant therapy for esophageal cancer

Esophageal cancer is increasing in incidence more than any other visceral malignancy in North America. Adenocarcinoma has become the most common cell type. Surgery remains the primary treatment modality for locoregional disease. Overall survival with surgery alone has been dismal, with metastatic disease the primary mode of treatment failure after an R0 surgical resection. Cure rates with chemotherapy or radiation therapy alone have been disappointing as well. For these reasons, over the last decade multi-modality treatment has gained increasing acceptance as the standard of care. This review examines the present data and role of neoadjuvant treatment using chemotherapy and radiation therapy followed by surgery for the treatment of esophageal cancer.     

Paclitaxel-based chemoradiotherapy in the treatment of patients with operable esophageal cancer

PURPOSE: To compare a neoadjuvant regimen of cisplatin/5-fluorouracil (5-FU) and concurrent radiation therapy (RT) with paclitaxel-based regimens and RT in the management of operable esophageal (EC)/gastroesophageal junction (GEJ) cancer. METHODS AND MATERIALS: All patients receiving neoadjuvant chemotherapy (CT) and RT for EC/GEJ cancer at Duke University between January 1995 and December 2004 were included. Clinical end points were compared for patients receiving paclitaxel-based regimens (TAX) vs. alternative regimens (non-TAX). Local control (LC), disease-free survival (DFS), and overall survival (OS) were estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method. Chi-square analysis was performed to test the effect of TAX on pathologic complete response (pCR) rates and toxicity. RESULTS: A total of 109 patients received CT-RT followed by esophagectomy (95 M; 14 F). Median RT dose was 45 Gy (range, 36-66 Gy). The TAX and non-TAX groups comprised 47% and 53% of patients, respectively. Most (83%) TAX patients received three drug regimens including platinum and a fluoropyrimidine. In the non-TAX group, 89% of the patients received cisplatin and 5-FU. The remainder received 5-FU or capecitabine alone. Grade 3-4 toxicity occurred in 41% of patients receiving TAX vs. 24% of those receiving non-TAX (p = 0.19). Overall pCR rate was 39% (39% with TAX vs. 40% with non-TAX, p = 0.9). Overall LC, DFS, and OS at 3 years were 80%, 34%, and 37%, respectively. At 3 years, there were no differences in LC (75% vs. 85%, p = 0.33) or OS (37% vs. 37%, p = 0.32) between TAX and non-TAX groups. CONCLUSIONS: In this large experience, paclitaxel-containing regimens did not improve pCR rates or clinical end points compared to non-paclitaxel-containing regimens.     

Preoperative hemoglobin count and prognosis of esophageal cancer,a population-based nationwide study in Finland

BackgroundThe prognostic value of preoperative hemoglobin in patients undergoing esophagectomy is unknown. The aim of this study was to examine whether preoperative hemoglobin is associated with prognosis in patients undergoing esophagectomy for cancer.Materials and methodsThis was a population-based nationwide retrospective cohort study in Finland, using Finnish National Esophago-Gastric Cancer Cohort (FINEGO). Esophagectomy patients with available preoperative hemoglobin measurement were included. Multivariable cox regression provided hazard ratios (HR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI), adjusted for calendar period of surgery, age at surgery, sex, comorbidity (Charlson Comorbidity Index), tumor histology, tumor stage, neoadjuvant therapy, type of surgery (minimally invasive or open) and annual hospital volume.ResultsOf the 1313 patients, 932 (71.0%) were men and 799 (60.9%) had esophageal adenocarcinoma. Overall all-cause mortality was significantly higher in the lowest hemoglobin count tertile (HR 1.26 (1.07–1.47)) compared to the highest tertile, but this association was attenuated after adjustment for confounding. No differences were found between the preoperative hemoglobin groups in the adjusted analyses of 90-day all-cause, 5-year all-cause, and 5-year cancer-specific mortality.ConclusionIn this population-based nationwide study, preoperative hemoglobin count had no independent prognostic significance in esophageal cancer.     

Robot-assisted and conventional minimally invasive esophagectomy are associated with better postoperative results compared to hybrid and open transthoracic esophagectomy

BackgroundCurrently 4 surgical techniques are performed for transthoracic esophagectomy (open esophagectomy (OE), hybrid esophagectomy (HE), conventional minimally invasive esophagectomy (MIE) and robot assisted minimally invasive esophagectomy (RAMIE). Aim of this study was to compare these 4 different esophagectomy approaches regarding postoperative complications and short term oncologic outcomes.MethodsBetween 2008 and 2019, consecutive patients who underwent esophagectomy with gastric conduit reconstruction were included in this single center study. The primary outcome of this study was the incidence of postoperative complications.ResultsOverall 422 patients (OE (n = 107), HE (n = 101), MIE (n = 91) and RAMIE (n = 123)) were evaluated. Uncomplicated postoperative course was observed in 27% (OE), 34% (HE), 53% (MIE), and 63% (RAMIE) of patients (p < 0.001). Pulmonary complications were observed in 57% (OE), 44% (HE), 28% (MIE), and 21% (RAMIE) of patients (p < 0.001). Cardiac complications were present in 25% (OE), 23% (HE), 9% (MIE), and 11% (RAMIE) of patients (p < 0.001). MIE and RAMIE were associated with fewer wound infections (p < 0.001). Median hospital stay after MIE (13 days) and RAMIE (12 days) was shorter compared to OE (20 days) and HE (17 days) (p < 0.001). A median number of 21 (OE), 23 (HE), 23 (MIE), and 31 (RAMIE) lymph nodes was harvested (p < 0.001).ConclusionTotal minimally invasive esophagectomy (MIE, RAMIE) was associated with a lower overall, pulmonary, cardiac and wound complication rate as well as a shorter hospital stay compared to open or hybrid approach (OE, HE). RAMIE resulted in higher lymph node harvest than MIE.     

Outcomes of trimodality CROSS regimen in older adults with locally advanced esophageal cancer

BackgroundChemoradiotherapy for Esophageal cancer followed by Surgery (CROSS regimen) is standard of care for locally-advanced esophageal cancer. We evaluated CROSS completion rates, toxicity, and postoperative outcomes between older and younger adults receiving trimodality therapy.MethodsRetrospective analysis of patients with locally-advanced esophageal cancer who underwent CROSS regimen from May 2016 to January 2020 at a single academic center. Outcomes of those aged ≥70-years-old and <70 years-old were analyzed.ResultsOf 201 patients, 136 were <70 and 65 were ≥70 years. Older adults were more likely to be male (91% vs. 79%; p = 0.045), have higher ECOG scores (median 1 vs. 0; p = 0.003), Charlson-comorbidity index (median 6 vs. 4; p < 0.001), and undergo open procedures (20% vs. 8% p = 0.008). Most completed CROSS regimen (78% vs. 84% respectively) with similar rates of treatment discontinuation and dose reduction (all p > 0.05). Time to surgery following neoadjuvant therapy was similar between age groups, except in those ≥80-years-old as compared to <70-years-old (p < 0.05). Overall toxicity rates were similar (68% vs. 71% respectively; p = 0.676). Only rates of delirium (19% vs. 5%) and urinary retention (9% vs. 0%) were higher in older adults (both p < 0.05). Length of stay, discharge disposition, mortality, and overall survival were similar. Age was not an independent risk factor for complication, neoadjuvant toxicity or completion, surgery timing, nor worse overall or recurrence-free survival (p > 0.05).ConclusionTrimodality CROSS regimen for esophageal cancer in older adults is feasible, with similar completion rates and postoperative outcomes as compared to their younger counterparts.     

Minimally invasive esophagectomy in the community hospital setting

We report our initial experience with minimally-invasive esophagectomy in 32 patients at Carolinas Medical Center, a community academic medical center. Indications for surgery were adenocarcinoma in 27, squamous cell carcinoma in 3, and benign stricture in 2. Transthoracic Ivor-Lewis esophagectomy with laparoscopy and thoracoscopy was performed in 28, a 3-stage esophagectomy in 3, and transhaital esophagectomy in 1. There was no operative mortality and median hospital stay was 10.5 days for patients treated with minimally invasive esophagectomy. This compares with an operative mortality of 8.9% and median hospital stay of 17 days for open esophagectomy in our institution.     

手辅助电视胸腔镜胸中上段食管癌切除12例报告

目的探讨手辅助电视胸腔镜（HVATS）行胸段食管胸中、上段癌切除术的方法、可行性及优缺点。方法HVATS方法施行食管癌切除胃食管颈部吻合术12例,观察、总结其术中、术后的效果及并发症情况。结果手辅助电视胸腔镜（HVATS）食管癌切除能够达到常规手术切除效果,手术创伤小、恢复快,无围术期死亡。结论在中、上段食管癌外侵不明显,与血管粘连不严重的情况下,采用HVATS手术进行根治性治疗是可行的。     

Impact of radial margins after esophagectomy for esophageal cancer

IntroductionThe prognostic significance of radial margin (RM) involvement in esophagectomy cancer specimens is unclear. Our study investigated survival and recurrence rates between different depths of RM involvement.Materials and methodsWe retrospectively analyzed 1103 esophagectomies at our institution from 2005 to 2019. Patients were grouped by three-tier stratification: negative RM > 1 mm away, direct RM involvement at 0 mm, and close RM between 0 mm and 1 mm. Survival, loco-regional and distant recurrences were analyzed.Results1103 esophageal cancer patients were analyzed. 389 patients had recurrence (35.3%). Median survival (13.2 months) and recurrence rates (71%) were worst with direct RM (p < 0.001) as compared to negative RM (median survival not achieved within 5-years from surgery and 30%). Without nodal involvement, RM involvement of <1 mm was associated with decreased overall survival, and overall, loco-regional and distant recurrence-free survival compared to negative RM (log rank p-value <0.05). In those with persistent nodal disease, only direct RM was associated with decreased overall and loco-regional recurrence-free survival as compared to negative margins (p < 0.05). Direct RM tended to do worse compared to close RM in terms of median survival and trended worse for recurrence. Direct RM (baseline negative RM), but not close RM, was an independent RF in a multivariable Cox model for worse overall survival (HR 2.74; p < 0.001), recurrence-free survival (HR 1.96; p = 0.019), and loco-regional recurrence-free survival (HR 3.19; p = 0.011).ConclusionRM involvement affects survival and recurrence. Tumor at 0 mm remained an independent RF for worse survival and overall and loco-regional recurrence.     

食管癌术后辅助治疗的临床价值

食管癌目前主要的治疗手段仍为手术切除,但术后患者的生存率较低,主要失败模式为局部复发和区域淋巴结转移.术后是否应该行辅助治疗及如何选择方案仍无明确的指南.研究显示Ⅲ期、N1的患者行术后辅助放疗可以提高无瘤生存率及总生存率,靶区范围应根据肿瘤所在的位置来确定.术后辅助化疗方案以顺铂联合5-氟尿嘧啶为首选,该方案主要不良反应为胃肠反应和骨髓抑制;术后辅助放化疗的临床价值仍需更多临床研究来支持.     

胸部小切口在肺癌和食管癌根治术中的临床应用

目的：在保证与常规切口近似的疗效前提下,探讨经胸部小切口实施肺癌和食管癌根治术的临床价值。方法：收集我科２００６年１月～２００７年１月３１０例肺癌和食管癌根治术的资料进行回顾性分析,其中小切口组（改良组）１４３例,传统组１６７例,其中包括６例在术中由小切口转换为传统切口。比较两组手术时间、切口长度、术中出血、术后引流量、淋巴结清扫数目、术后上肢功能恢复时间、术后疼痛程度、术后并发症等。结果：改良组在术中出血、术后引流、术后疼痛程度、上肢功能恢复时间上明显优于传统组,在手术时间、淋巴结清扫数目、术后并发症上无明显差异。结论：以小切口实施肺癌和食管癌根治术,损伤小,术后恢复快,治疗效果与传统手术方式基本相同,但少部分病例应用受限。     

Exhaled nitric oxide predicts radiation pneumonitis in esophageal and lung cancer patients receiving thoracic radiation

Background and purpose

Radiation pneumonitis is a significant toxicity following thoracic radiotherapy with no method to predict individual risk.

Materials and methods

Sixty-five patients receiving thoracic radiation for lung or esophageal cancer were enrolled in a phase II study. Each patient received respiratory surveys and exhaled nitric oxide measurements before, on the last day of, and 30-60 days after completing radiotherapy (RT). Pneumonitis toxicity was scored using the common terminology criteria for adverse events, version 4.0. The demographics, dosimetric factors, and nitric oxide ratio (NOR) of end RT/pre-RT were evaluated for correlation with symptomatic patients (Grade ?2).

Results

Fifty patients completed the trial. The pneumonitis toxicity score was: Grade 3 for 1 patient, Grade 2 for 6 patients, Grade 1 for 18 patients, and Grade 0 for 25 patients. Dosimetric factors were not predictive of symptoms. The NOR was 3.0 ± 1.8 (range 1.47-6.73) for the symptomatic and 0.78 ± 0.29 (range 0.33-1.37) for the asymptomatic patients (p = 0.006). A threshold NOR of 1.4 separated symptomatic and asymptomatic patients (p < 0.001). The average error was 4%.

Conclusions

Elevation in eNO on the last day of radiotherapy predicted subsequent symptomatic radiation pneumonitis weeks to months after treatment.     

Esophagectomy after concurrent chemoradiotherapy improves locoregional control in clinical stage II or III esophageal cancer patients

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effect of surgical resection on the outcome of patients with clinical Stage II or III cancer of the esophagus treated with concurrent chemoradiotherapy. METHODS AND MATERIALS: A retrospective review of 132 consecutive patients with clinical Stage II or III esophageal cancer treated with concurrent chemoradiotherapy between January 1990 and December 1998 was performed. Of the 132 patients, 60 underwent esophagectomy 6-8 weeks after chemoradiotherapy. The median radiation dose was 50 Gy (range, 30-64.8 Gy) in the definitive chemoradiation group and 45 Gy (range, 30-50.4 Gy) in the chemoradiation plus esophagectomy group. RESULTS: Statistically significant differences were found between the two groups in median age, histologic subtype, tumor location, and number of patients with T4 disease. Patients who underwent definitive chemoradiotherapy were older (p = 0.0004) and more likely to have squamous cell carcinoma than adenocarcinoma (p <0.000), upper thoracic or cervical esophageal tumors (p <0.000), and T4 tumors (p = 0.024). Patients treated with chemoradiation plus esophagectomy had statistically significant superior 5-year loco-regional control (67.1% vs. 22.1%, p <0.000), disease-free survival (40.7% vs. 9.9%, p < 0.000), and 5-year overall survival (52.6% vs. 6.5%, p < 0.000) rates and median survival time (62 vs. 12 months) compared with patients treated with chemoradiotherapy only. However, no statistically significant difference was found in the rate of distant metastasis-free survival between the two groups (67.5% vs. 65.8%, p = 0.3). Surgical resection of the tumor was an independent predictor of improved locoregional control and overall survival in both univariate and multivariate analyses. To reduce the effect of the selection bias on the outcome, 34 patients in each group with matched pretreatment characteristics were compared. The results showed statistically significant better overall survival, disease-free survival, and locoregional control in favor of the chemoradiotherapy plus esophagectomy group. No statistically significant difference in distant metastasis-free survival was found in this subgroup analysis. CONCLUSIONS: Locoregional control was better in clinical Stage II or III esophageal cancer patients treated with concurrent chemoradiation plus esophagectomy. An improvement in survival occurred in the chemoradiation plus esophagectomy group, although this observation may have reflected selection bias. The results from this study suggest the need for a randomized trial to compare chemoradiation with or without esophagectomy in the treatment of cancer of the esophagus.     

胃食管颈部机械吻合法治疗食管癌的临床研究

目的 观察食管癌切除食管胃颈部机械吻合法与手工吻合法的疗效,对比结果.方法 2001年1月至2007年8月行食管癌胃食管颈部吻合术217例.其中胃食管颈部机械吻合法组136例,手工吻合法组81例,评价疗效.结果 机械吻合组术后吻合口瘘3例(2.2%);手工吻合组9例(11.1%),差异有统计学意义(P＜0.05).颈部切口感染机械吻合组4例(2.9%),手工吻合组12例(14.8%),差异有统计学意义(P＜0.05).肺部感染、心律失常、乳糜胸、喉返神经损伤在机械吻合组和手工吻合组之间差异均无统计学意义(P＞0.05).结论 颈部胃食管机械吻合法能降低吻合口瘘发生率和术后颈部切口的感染率,较手工缝合具有一定的优势.     

多学科协作的个性化镇痛在食管癌根治术后的应用

 目的  探讨多学科协作的个性化镇痛管理模式在食管癌根治术后患者中的应用效果。 方法 选择2017年9月—2018年3月在我院行食管癌根治术的50例患者为对照组,2018年4月—9月的48例患者为观察组。对照组采用传统镇痛模式,观察组采用多学科协作的个性化镇痛管理模式。比较两组患者的静息痛和活动痛评分、术后首次活动时间、患者自控镇痛（patient-controlled analgesia,PCA）按压次数、止痛泵的停泵率和续泵率及不良反应发生率。结果 观察组患者术后初次静息痛评分、静息痛评分均值、静息痛评分最大值和初次活动痛评分值与对照组比较,差异无统计学意义（P＞0.05）,但活动痛评分均值及最大值均小于对照组,且差异均有统计学意义（P<0.05）。在止痛泵使用期间,观察组患者的PCA按压总次数、每日PCA按压次数及止痛泵的续泵率均大于对照组,且差异均有统计学意义（P<0.001）,但两组患者的止痛泵停泵率无明显差异（P＞0.05）。观察组患者术后首次下床活动时间小于对照组,差异有统计学意义（P<0.05）,但两组患者的不良反应发生率无明显差异（P＞0.05）。结论 多学科协作的个性化镇痛管理模式能提高患者镇痛治疗依从性,且有效控制活动性疼痛,加速康复。