A safe and reproducible anastomotic technique for minimally invasive Ivor Lewis oesophagectomy: the circular-stapled anastomosis with the trans-oral anvil.
OBJECTIVE
In expert hands, the intrathoracic oesophago-gastric anastamosis usually provides a low rate of strictures and leaks. However, anastomoses can be technically challenging and time consuming when minimally invasive techniques are used. We present our preliminary results of a standardised 25 mm/4.8mm circular-stapled anastomosis using a trans-orally placed anvil.


METHODS
We evaluated a prospective cohort of 37 consecutive patients offered minimally invasive Ivor Lewis oesophagectomy at a tertiary referral centre. The oesophago-gastric anastomosis was created using a 25-mm anvil (Orvil, Autosuture, Norwalk, CT, USA) passed trans-orally, in a tilted position, and connected to a 90-cm long polyvinyl chloride delivery tube through an opening in the oesophageal stump. The anastomosis was completed by joining the anvil to a circular stapler (end-to-end anastomosis stapler (EEA XL) 25 mm with 4.8-mm staples, Autosuture, Norwalk, CT, USA) inserted into the gastric conduit. Primary outcomes were leak and stricture rates.


RESULTS
Thirty-seven patients (mean age 65 years) with distal oesophageal adenocarcinoma (n=29), squamous cell cancer (n=5) or high-grade dysplasia in Barrett's oesophagus (n=3) underwent an Ivor Lewis oesophagectomy between October 2007 and August 2009. The abdominal portion was operated laparoscopically in 30 patients (81.1%). The thoracic portion was done using a muscle-sparing mini-thoracotomy in 23 patients (62.2%) and thoracoscopic techniques in 14 patients (37.8%). There were no intra-operative technical failures of the anastomosis or deaths. Five patients had strictures (13.5%) and all were successfully treated with endoscopic dilations. One patient had an anastomotic leak (2.7%) that was successfully treated by re-operation and endoscopic stenting of the anastomosis.


CONCLUSIONS
The circular-stapled anastomosis with the trans-oral anvil allows for an efficient, safe and reproducible anastomosis. This straightforward technique is particularly suited to the completely minimally invasive Ivor Lewis oesophagectomy.
Campos
Guilherme M
GM
Department of Surgery, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA. campos@surgery.wisc.edu
Jablons
David
D
Brown
Lisa M
LM
Ramirez
René M
RM
Rabl
Charlotte
C
Theodore
Pierre
P
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000714:Anastomosis, Surgical / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods; D057868:Anastomotic Leak / Q000209:etiology; D004938:Esophageal Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D004940:Esophageal Stenosis / Q000209:etiology; D016629:Esophagectomy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D004945:Esophagoscopy; D004947:Esophagus / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019060:Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013270:Stomach / Q000601:surgery; D017792:Surgical Stapling / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*