The association between postoperative complications and long-term survival after esophagectomy: a multicenter cohort study

Laura F. C. Fransen, Rob H. A. Verhoeven, Thijs H. J. B. Janssen, Marc J. van Det, Suzanne S. Gisbertz, Richard van Hillegersberg, Bastiaan Klarenbeek, Ewout A. Kouwenhoven, Grard A. P. Nieuwenhuijzen, Camiel Rosman, Jelle P. Ruurda, Mark I. van Berge Henegouwen, Misha D. P. Luyer

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4 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Conflicting results are reported on the association between post-esophagectomy complications and long-term survival. This multicenter study assesses the association between complications after an esophagectomy and long-term overall survival. Five Dutch high-volume centers collected data from consecutive patients undergoing esophagectomy between 2010 and 2016 and merged these with long-term survival data from the Netherlands Cancer Registry. Exclusion criteria were non-curative resections and 90-day mortality, among others. Primary outcome was overall survival related to the presence of a postoperative complication in general. Secondary outcomes analyzed the presence of anastomotic leakage and cardiopulmonary complications. Propensity score matching was performed and the outcomes were analyzed via Log-Rank test and Kaplan Meier analysis. Among the 1225 patients included, a complicated course occurred in 719 patients (59.0%). After matching for baseline characteristics, 455 pairs were successfully balanced. Patients with an uncomplicated postoperative course had a 5-year overall survival of 51.7% versus 44.4% in patients with complications (P = 0.011). Anastomotic leakage occurred in 18.4% (n = 226), and in 208 matched pairs, it was shown that the 5-year overall survival was 57.2% in patients without anastomotic leakage versus 44.0% in patients with anastomotic leakage (P = 0.005). Overall cardiopulmonary complication rate was 37.1% (n = 454), and in 363 matched pairs, the 5-year overall survival was 52.1% in patients without cardiopulmonary complications versus 45.3% in patients with cardiopulmonary complications (P = 0.019). Overall postoperative complication rate, anastomotic leakage, and cardiopulmonary complications were associated with a decreased long-term survival after an esophagectomy. Efforts to reduce complications might further improve the overall survival for patients treated for esophageal carcinoma.
Original languageEnglish
Article numberdoac086
JournalDiseases of the esophagus : official journal of the International Society for Diseases of the Esophagus
Volume36
Issue number6
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Jun 2023

Keywords

  • esophagectomy
  • long-term survival
  • postoperative complication

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