title: Comparison of two different mechanical esophagogastric anastomosis in esophageal cancer patients: a meta-analysis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  In this meta-analysis, we conducted a pooled analysis of clinical studies comparing Linear Stapled (LS) versus Circular Stapled (CS) esophagogastric anastomosis for esophageal cancer.
  
  
  METHODS
  According to the recommendations of the Cochrane Collaboration, we established a rigorous study protocol. We performed a systematic electronic search of the PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, and Chinese Biomedical databases as well as Chinese scientific journals to identify articles to include in our meta-analysis. The primary outcomes compared were anastomotic leak, anastomotic stricture and 3-month mortality.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Five controlled trials comprising 840 patients (523 LS vs. 317 CS) were included. Primary outcomes revealed a statistically significant decrease in anastomotic strictures [risk ratio (RR): 0.26, 95 % confidence interval (CI): 0.11-0.60, P = 0.002] compared with linear stapled anastomosis. However, there were no significant differences between the two groups with respect to anastomotic leakage [risk ratio (RR): 0.80, 95 % confidence interval (CI): 0.40-1.58, P = 0.52] and 3-month mortality [risk ratio (RR): 0.94, 95 % confidence interval (CI): 0.47-1.87, P = 0.85].
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  There were no statistical differences in the rate of 3-month mortality or anastomotic leakage between the two groups. However, the LS method contributed to a reduced rate of anastomotic strictures. This meta-analysis may offer some specific suggestions for esophagogastric anastomosis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Thoracic Surgery, Xinqiao Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, 400037, China. 449185056@qq.com.
authors.forename: Dong
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Zhou
authors.affiliation: Department of Thoracic Surgery, Xinqiao Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, 400037, China. 215584683@qq.com.
authors.forename: Quan-Xing
authors.initials: QX
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.affiliation: Department of Thoracic Surgery, Xinqiao Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, 400037, China. 674965568@qq.com.
authors.forename: Xu-Feng
authors.initials: XF
authors.lastname: Deng
authors.affiliation: Department of Thoracic Surgery, Xinqiao Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, 400037, China. mjx8@163.com.
authors.forename: Jia-Xin
authors.initials: JX
authors.lastname: Min
authors.affiliation: Department of Thoracic Surgery, Xinqiao Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, 400037, China. 691057831@qq.com.
authors.forename: Ji-Gang
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: Dai
mesh_terms: D000714:Anastomosis, Surgical / Q000379:methods; D004938:Esophageal Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D016629:Esophagectomy; D004947:Esophagus / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D013536:Suture Techniques