Clinical Outcome of Middle Thoracic Esophageal Cancer with Intrathoracic or Cervical Anastomosis.
BACKGROUND
What is the optimal way for the middle esophageal cancer? It is still controversial. In this study, the clinical outcome of middle thoracic esophageal cancer with either intrathoracic or cervical anastomosis was analyzed in our department.


METHODS
A total of 205 patients who suffered from middle thoracic esophageal cancer were divided into two groups. In group A, 91 patients received intrathoracic anastomosis above aortic arch after esophageal resection via single left thoracotomy, and in group B, 114 patients received cervical anastomosis after esophageal resection via right thoracotomy and median laparotomy. Data of these patients were collected, and morbidity and mortality were analyzed retrospectively. Survival rate was estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method and comparisons between groups were performed with log-rank test. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed using Cox model to look for independent predictors of survival.


RESULTS
Postoperative complications occurred more frequently in group B, such as hemorrhage (p = 0.011), wound infection (p = 0.032), and temporary paresis of the recurrent laryngeal nerve (p = 0.001). Morbidity of anastomotic leak was higher in group B (8.8 vs. 2.2%; p = 0.048), but the associated mortality was not increased. The extent of radical esophagectomy and lymphadenectomy was much greater in group B; therefore, longer esophagus was resected that reduced the cancer residual rate, and more positive lymph nodes were detected that enhanced the accuracy of clinical staging. Fortunately, more patients received adjuvant therapy after operation in group B, and the 5-year survival rate was improved.


CONCLUSIONS
Anastomotic leak rate was higher in cervical anastomosis but with lower mortality. The 5-year survival rate was improved in cervical anastomosis group. The present data support the assumption that cervical anastomosis is a safer and more beneficial procedure for patients with middle thoracic esophageal cancer.
Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, The First People's Hospital of Nantong, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong, People's Republic of China.
Hai-Tao
HT
Huang
Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, The First People's Hospital of Nantong, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong, People's Republic of China.
Fei
F
Wang
Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, The First People's Hospital of Nantong, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong, People's Republic of China.
Liang
L
Shen
Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, The First People's Hospital of Nantong, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong, People's Republic of China.
Chun-Qiu
CQ
Xia
Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, The First People's Hospital of Nantong, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong, People's Republic of China.
Chen-Xi
CX
Lu
Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, The First People's Hospital of Nantong, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong, People's Republic of China.
Chong-Jun
CJ
Zhong
D000368:Aged; D000714:Anastomosis, Surgical; D057868:Anastomotic Leak / Q000209:etiology; D002681:China; D004938:Esophageal Neoplasms / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D016629:Esophagectomy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods* / Q000401:mortality; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D053208:Kaplan-Meier Estimate; D008197:Lymph Node Excision; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D016016:Proportional Hazards Models; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome