title: Embedded Three-Layer Esophagogastric Anastomosis Reduces Morbidity and Improves Short-Term Outcomes After Esophagectomy for Cancer.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  There exists great controversy regarding the use of esophagogastric anastomotic techniques in the treatment of esophageal cancer. The aim of this study was to compare two types of cervical esophagogastric anastomoses with respect to the reduction of postoperative anastomotic leaks, stenosis, and gastroesophageal reflux.
  
  
  METHODS
  From June 2010 to September 2013, 339 patients who underwent two different cervical esophagogastric anastomotic procedures after thoracolaparoscopic esophagectomy for esophageal cancer were identified.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 166 patients with esophageal cancer were treated using an embedded three-layer anastomosis (embedded group), and 173 were treated using a conventional two-layer anastomosis (conventional group). The rates of anastomotic leak (2.4% [4 of 166] versus 7.5% [13 of 173], p = 0.031) and benign anastomotic stricture (4.8% [8 of 166] versus 12.7% [22 of 173], p = 0.010) were significantly lower in the embedded group compared with the conventional group. The mean reflux scores were significantly higher among the patients in the conventional group compared with the patients in the embedded group at 1 month (25.2 versus 19.0, p = 0.001), 3 months (27.8 versus 21.4, p = 0.001), and 6 months (23.4 versus 17.8, p < 0.001) of follow-up. The mean scores for dysphagia were significantly lower among the patients in the embedded group compared with the patients in the conventional group at both 3 months (22.7 versus 29.8, p = 0.012) and 6 months (16.0 versus 21.3, p = 0.008) of follow-up.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The new embedded three-layer esophagogastric anastomosis offers several advantages and reduces the incidence of postoperative complications such as anastomotic leak, stricture, and gastroesophageal reflux.
authors.affiliation: Department of Thoracic Surgery, Henan Cancer Hospital, Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China.
authors.forename: Hai-Bo
authors.initials: HB
authors.lastname: Sun
authors.affiliation: Department of Thoracic Surgery, Henan Cancer Hospital, Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China. Electronic address: liyin0825@hotmail.com.
authors.forename: Yin
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: Department of Thoracic Surgery, Henan Cancer Hospital, Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China.
authors.forename: Xian-Ben
authors.initials: XB
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.affiliation: Department of Thoracic Surgery, Henan Cancer Hospital, Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China.
authors.forename: Rui-Xiang
authors.initials: RX
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.affiliation: Department of Thoracic Surgery, Henan Cancer Hospital, Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China.
authors.forename: Zong-Fei
authors.initials: ZF
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: Department of Thoracic Surgery, Henan Cancer Hospital, Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China.
authors.forename: Yan
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Zheng
authors.affiliation: Department of Thoracic Surgery, Henan Cancer Hospital, Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China.
authors.forename: Jian-Jun
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Qin
authors.affiliation: Department of Thoracic Surgery, Henan Cancer Hospital, Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China.
authors.forename: Hao-Miao
authors.initials: HM
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: Department of Thoracic Surgery, Henan Cancer Hospital, Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China.
authors.forename: Xian-Kai
authors.initials: XK
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.affiliation: Department of Thoracic Surgery, Henan Cancer Hospital, Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China.
authors.forename: Zhao
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Wu
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000714:Anastomosis, Surgical / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D057868:Anastomotic Leak / Q000517:prevention & control*; D016208:Databases, Factual; D004938:Esophageal Neoplasms / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D004940:Esophageal Stenosis / Q000517:prevention & control; D016629:Esophagectomy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D004943:Esophagogastric Junction / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005753:Gastric Mucosa / Q000601:surgery; D005764:Gastroesophageal Reflux / Q000517:prevention & control; D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000401:mortality / Q000503:physiopathology; D058996:Quality Improvement; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D018570:Risk Assessment; D017792:Surgical Stapling / Q000379:methods; D016019:Survival Analysis; D013536:Suture Techniques; D013906:Thoracoscopy / Q000379:methods; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome