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Background: Approximately 50% of all patients undergoing esophagectomy experience complications. This paper estimates the costs due to complications after esophagectomy in a Swedish context. Material and methods: The Swedish National Register for Esophageal and Gastric Cancer (NREV) and the Healthcare Consumption Register in Region Skane (RSVD) were crossmatched for patients undergoing esophagectomy between 2010 and 2015 in Region Skane, Sweden (n = 132). Multivariable linear regression analysis was performed on the logarithm of total healthcare cost. HRQoL was presented descriptively. Results: The mean total healthcare costs were 335,016 SEK (€33,502) for the group with no complications and 438,320 SEK (€43,832) and 808,461 SEK (€80,846) for minor and major complications (p < 0.001), respectively. Pneumonia (p < 0.001), laryngeal nerve paresis (p = 0.002) and other complications (p < 0.001) showed significant associations with increased healthcare cost. No significant difference was found in QALY-weights between the complication grades. Patients that underwent esophagectomy reported poorer HRQoL than the scores valued by the general background population. Conclusion: Complications following esophagectomy incrementally increase the healthcare costs, where more severe complications led to higher healthcare costs. The severity of complications did not affect the mean QALY-weights. (Less)

There are differences in esophageal cancer care across different counties in Sweden. According to national guidelines, all patients should be offered equal care which should be administrated by regional multidisciplinary cancer conferences (MCCs). The aim of the study was to investigate differences between the six regional MCCs in Sweden regarding clinical stageing and recommended treatment. Ten consecutive cases per participating center, 60 cases in total, were planned for inclusion. After anonymization the radiological investigations were presented, along with the original case-specific medical history, anew at the six regional MCCs. Estimation of clinical TNM and treatment allocation (curative, palliative or best supportive care) were compared between MCCs as well as with the original assessment. Interim analysis was performed in April 2022 when ten cases had been presented at five of the six regional MCCs. All available cases were assessed at five MCCs in addition to the previous original assessment (60 assessments). The mean age for the first ten cases was 74.8 years (SD ± 9.8 years). Eight out of ten cases were men. In estimations of T- and N-stage the MCCs agreed in only one out of ten cases. In half of the cases more than three different estimations of N-stage were made. For clinical M-stage there was exact agreement in three cases. In determination of recommended treatment, all five MCCs were in agreement on half of the cases. Preliminary data show striking differences, both in assessment of TNM as well as treatment recommendation at different MCCs. One patient, recommended curative treatment by one MCC could be allocated to palliative care by another. Inclusion is ongoing and further analysis of these differences are warranted to achieve more equal care for esophageal cancer patients in Sweden. MCC_fig1.jpg (could not be inserted).

The Nordic countries have similar health care systems and registries simplifying epidemiological research and the treatment of esophageal cancer is largely centralized. However, differences in treatment traditions can hamper the possibility to assess results and harmonize control arms in joint randomized trials. In setting up a Nordic multi-center randomized trial regarding the use of nasogastric tube (NG-tube) decompression, we aimed to investigate differences in perioperative routines after esophageal resection at Nordic University hospitals. All Nordic University Hospitals with an upper gastrointestinal cancer center (UGC) were contacted regarding a Nordic randomized controlled trial exploring the effects and complications associated with the use of NG-tube after esophagectomy for cancer. Those who chose to join the trial were sent a questionnaire regarding surgical volumes and practices including mean annual number of esophagectomies, surgical method/access, and routine use of pyloric drainage and jejunostomy. In addition, the current standard postoperative use of NG-tube and routine X-ray/CT evaluation, along with postoperative traditions regarding the start of liquid diet was enquired. High volume centers were defined as performing >20 procedures/year. Thirteen of 17 centers with a combined catchment area of 16 million inhabitants and an annual volume of 445 esophagectomies joined the trial network. All, but one center used a total minimally invasive- or hybrid surgical approach but otherwise, the routine use of pyloric drainage and jejunostomy varied widely without being statistically different. All 13 centers reported routine use of NG-tube and 4 employed continuous suction. The NG-tube was removed between 3 and 7 days postoperatively, but also strategies between the centers (suction on NG-tube, start of liquid diet, routine X-ray/CT evaluation) varied without being statistically significant Firm adherence to standardized operations and safety protocols are implemented in Nordic UGCs to reduce the potential consequences of complications. However, the results find the differences in perioperative care after esophagectomy apparent, highlighting the need for high-level evidence regarding these practices. A unified approach may facilitate clinical trial initiatives. There is a paucity of evidence regarding optimal NG-tube use after esophagectomy for cancer and a randomized trial (kiNETiC ISRCTN39935085) investigating this issue is underway.

Summary Anastomotic defect (AD) after esophagectomy can lead to severe complications with need for surgical or endoscopic intervention. Early detection enables early treatment and can limit the consequences of the AD. As of today, there are limited methods to predict AD. In this study, we have used microdialysis (MD) to measure local metabolism at the intrathoracic anastomosis. Feasibility and possible diagnostic use were investigated. Sixty patients planned for Ivor Lewis esophagectomy were enrolled. After construction of the anastomosis, surface MD (S-MD) probes were attached to the outer surface of the esophageal remnant and the gastric conduit in close vicinity of the anastomosis and left in place for 7 postoperative days (PODs). Continuous sampling of local tissue concentrations of metabolic substances (glucose, lactate, and pyruvate) was performed postoperatively. Outcome, defined as AD or not according to Esophagectomy Complications Consensus Group definitions, was recorded at discharge or at first postoperative follow up. Difference in concentrations of metabolic substances was analyzed retrospectively between the two groups by means of artificial neural network technique. S-MD probes can be attached and removed from the gastric tube reconstruction without any adverse events. Deviating metabolite concentrations on POD 1 were associated with later development of AD. In subjects who developed AD, no difference in metabolic concentrations between the esophageal and the gastric probe was recorded. The technical failure rate of the MD probes/procedure was high. S-MD can be used in a clinical setting after Ivor Lewis esophagectomy. Deviation in local tissue metabolism on POD 1 seems to be associated with development of AD. Further development of MD probes and procedure is required to reduce technical failure.

Anastomotic leakage after esophagectomy is a serious and demanding complication. Early detection and treatment can probably prevent clinical deterioration of the patient. We have used early endoscopic assessment and a novel endoscopy score to predict anastomotic complications. 57 patients planned for Ivor Lewis esophagectomy were included. Endoscopy videos were recorded and biopsies were taken from the gastric conduit on day 7 or 8 after esophagectomy. A scoring system based on the endoscopic appearance, the combined endoscopy score (0–6), was developed. Scoring of the videos was done blinded. Patient outcome with regards to anastomotic complications was registered on postoperative day 30 in accordance with the ECCG definitions and compared to histopathology assessment and the combined endoscopy score retrospectively. The rate of anastomotic defect (necrosis and leakage, ECCG definitions) was 19%. 7 out of 8 patients with a combined endoscopy score of ≥ 4 developed anastomotic defects. The combined endoscopy score was the only predictor for anastomotic complications. Prediction of anastomotic complications enables early detection and treatment which often limits the clinical extent of the complication. Early postoperative endoscopy is safe and a relatively simple procedure. The combined endoscopy score is an accurate tool to predict anastomotic complications.

Background After an esophageal resection, continuity is commonly restored by a gastric tube reconstruction and an intrathoracic anastomosis to the remaining proximal esophagus. Ischemia of the anastomotic region is considered to play a pivotal role in anastomotic leakage. Microdialysis (μD) is an excellent method to measure local biochemical substances and parameters in a specific organ or compartment aiming at early detection of ischemia. This animal study evaluates ischemia of the gastric tube reconstruction using a novel method—μD on organ surfaces. This promising method may have the potential to detect an anastomotic leakage before clinical symptoms develop. Methods Anesthetized normoventilated pigs were used. Surface microdialysis (S-μD) catheters and an intraparenchymal oxygen tension catheter were placed on the stomach. A gastric tube was made and the gastroepiploic artery was divided halfway along the greater curvature to produce severe ischemia at the top of the gastric tube. μD data from four locations (gastric tube, ileum and peritoneal cavity) were recorded every 20 min during the experiment. Tissue samples from all catheter sites underwent histopathological analysis. Intraparenchymal oxygen partial pressure, systemic blood tests, and hemodynamic parameters were recorded. Results S-μD data showed values indicating severe ischemia at the top of the gastric tube and intermediate ischemia at the level of transection of the gastroepiploic artery. Ischemia was verified by histopathological analysis of tissue samples and intraparenchymal oxygen tension data. Conclusions S-μD can detect and grade severity of local ischemia in real time, in an animal model.

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A defunctioning loop ileostomy in low anterior resection reduces the incidence and morbidity of an anastomotic leakage, but complications related to the stoma may occur. We explored stoma-associated complications during the stoma period and after stoma reversal. A retrospective analysis of rectal cancer patients operated with low anterior resection and a defunctioning loop ileostomy at Helsingborg Hospital and Malmo University Hospital from January 2007 to June 2009 was undertaken. Ninety-two patients were included, of whom 82 (89 %) underwent stoma reversal. The median stoma period was 6.2 ± 3.2 months. Sixty-six percent of the patients suffered from minor or major stoma-associated morbidity. The complication rate was significantly related to the stoma time (p