title: Methods of esophagogastric anastomoses following esophagectomy for cancer: A systematic review.
abstract: Anastomotic complications are responsible for significant morbidity and mortality following esophagectomy for cancer. Conflicting reports exist regarding the superiority of hand-sewn versus stapled techniques. This systematic review identified eight randomized clinical trials examining this issue. None of the studies reported significant differences in leak rate or early mortality. One study demonstrated a difference in stricture rates, with fewer for hand-sewn anastomoses. There is insufficient evidence to recommend one anastomotic technique over the other.
authors.affiliation: Division of Surgical Oncology, Department of Surgery, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center in Shreveport, Feist-Weiller Cancer Center, Shreveport, Louisiana 71130-3932, USA. rkim@lsuhsc.edu
authors.forename: Roger H
authors.initials: RH
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Kazuaki
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Takabe
mesh_terms: D000714:Anastomosis, Surgical / Q000379:methods*; D004938:Esophageal Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D016629:Esophagectomy; D004947:Esophagus / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D013270:Stomach / Q000601:surgery*