Anastomotic reinforcement with omentoplasty reduces anastomotic leakage for minimally invasive esophagectomy with cervical anastomosis.

Purpose: Anastomotic leakage is the most feared postoperative complication after esophagectomy. Omentoplasty, wrapping the omentum around the alimentary tract anastomosis, is thought to decrease the anastomotic leakage rate. The purpose of this clinical study is to investigate the use of omentoplasty to reinforce cervical esophagogastrostomy after minimally invasive esophagectomy (MIE).

Patients and methods: In this retrospective study, the data of 160 consecutive patients who underwent cervical esophagogastrostomy after MIE between September 2012 and May 2015 were analyzed, 87 who underwent omentoplasty (group A) and 73 who did not undergo omentoplasty (group B). The primary outcome was the incidence of anastomotic leakage and anastomotic strictures after the operation. Secondary outcomes were other complications and mortality rate. Univariate and multivariate analysis of variables associated with an increased risk for anastomotic leak was performed.

Results: The median age was 61 years (range, 37-82 years). The anastomotic leakage rates were 4.6% (4/87) in group A and 15.1% (11/73) in group B ( P = 0.023). There was no statistical significance in anastomotic stricture rates between group A (6.9%) and group B (9.6%; P = 0.535). No difference was noted in other complications between the groups. There was a trend toward lower leak-associated mortality rates for group A (0%) compared with that for group B (4.1%).

Conclusion: Cervical esophagogastrostomy with omentoplasty is more effective than esophagogastrostomy without omentoplasty for the prevention of anastomotic leakage in MIE with cervical anastomosis. Omentoplasty could be used as an adjunct technique to reduce the incidence of anastomotic leakage in cervical esophagogastrostomy following MIE.