title: Differences in the pattern of anastomotic leakage after oesophagectomy in two high-volume centres.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Complications to oesophageal and junctional cancer surgery are common and have not diminished much during the past ten years. An unusually high occurrence of anastomotic dehiscence occurred in Denmark in 2009 and 2010 as seen in the national database for oesophagus, cardiac and gastric (ECV) cancer.
  
  
  METHODS
  In accordance with national guidelines, all patients resected for oesophageal and junctional cancer in Denmark from 2003 were prospectively entered into a national database. Data concerning anaesthesia, peri- and post-operative course, complications, re-operations and time spent in intensive care unit were obtained retrospectively from hospital records. An in-depth analysis of data from two high-volume centres performing ECV cancer surgery according to national guidelines was performed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 881 patients (Centre 1: 438; Centre 2: 443) were resected for oesophageal and junctional cancer. A total of 79 patients with anastomotic insufficiency (AI) were detected (Centre 1: 36; Centre 2: 43). By using a grading system, it was shown that AI was more severe and occurred earlier in one centre than in the other. Possible factors of influence are discussed, including neoadjuvant oncological therapy, use of thoracoscopically performed anastomosis and perioperative inotrophic drugs.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Thanks to the establishment of a nationwide database in pursuance of national guidelines, it was possible to detect variations in quality of surgery over time, evaluate serious complications early and undertake an in-depth analysis of possible aetiological factors. Particularly, comparison was facilitated by the use of a standardised grading system for complications.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  not relevant.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  not relevant.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, 2-12-2, Rigshospitalet, Blegdamsvej 9, 2100 Copenhagen Ø, Denmark. lars.bo.svendsen@regionh.dk.
authors.forename: Lars Bo
authors.initials: LB
authors.lastname: Svendsen
authors.forename: Lone Susanne
authors.initials: LS
authors.lastname: Jensen
authors.forename: Jakob
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Holm
authors.forename: Steen Christian
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Kofoed
authors.forename: Hans
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Pilegaard
authors.forename: Louise
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Preisler
authors.forename: Marianne
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Vinbæk
authors.forename: Bodil
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Brandt
authors.forename: Morten B
authors.initials: MB
authors.lastname: Svendsen
mesh_terms: D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000601:surgery*; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000714:Anastomosis, Surgical / Q000009:adverse effects; D057868:Anastomotic Leak / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology*; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000601:surgery*; D004938:Esophageal Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D004945:Esophagoscopy / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000379:methods; D004947:Esophagus / Q000601:surgery*; D061847:Hospitals, High-Volume; D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013270:Stomach / Q000601:surgery*; D013906:Thoracoscopy; D013997:Time Factors; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed