Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 22, 2026
An Ivor Lewis Esophagectomy Designed to Minimize Anastomotic Complications and Optimize Conduit Function
Published on: April 17, 2020
Randomized trial comparing side-to-side stapled and hand-sewn esophagogastric anastomosis in neck
Sundeep Singh Saluja1, Sukanta Ray, Sujoy Pal
1Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Room No 1005, PC block, 1st floor, Ansari Nagar, New Delhi, 110029, India.
Background:
Leak from cervical esophagogastric anastomosis (CEGA) following esophagectomy is associated with morbidity and poor functional outcome. To address this issue, we conducted a randomized trial comparing "hand-sewn" with "stapled side-to-side" CEGA.
Methods:
Of 174 patients who underwent esophageal resection and CEGA between 2004 and 2010, 87 each were randomized to "hand-sewn" and "stapled side-to-side" CEGA [ www.Clinical Trials.gov: NCT00497549]. The primary outcome measure was anastomotic leak rate. The secondary outcome measures included CEGA construction time and occurrence of anastomotic stricture during follow up.
Results:
The overall anastomotic leak rate was 17.2% (major leaks: 8 %). The leak rate was similar among the two groups (hand-sewn: 14/87, stapled: 16/87; p=0.33). The stapled anastomotic technique was faster (25 ±.5 min vs. 27 ± 5.5 min; p=0.02). The overall operative mortality and morbidity rates were 6.3 % and 40.8 %, respectively. At a median follow up of 12 (6-42) months, anastomotic stricture occurred in 24 (14.7 %) patients and was significantly more common in the "hand-sewn" group (17/82 vs. 7/81; p=0.045).
Conclusion:
There were no differences in the leak rates and postoperative outcome between the two CEGA techniques. At follow up, anastomotic strictures occurred less frequently following stapled CEGA. The ideal CEGA technique remains elusive.
