Interventional radiology protocol for treatment of esophagogastric anastomotic leakage

We aimed to determine the safety, feasibility and efficacy of interventional radiology method for the management of esophagogastric anastomotic leakage.

We retrospectively assessed the medical records of 23 consecutive patients with esophagogastric anastomotic leakage treated using intervention protocol. Patients received three-tube method (abscess drainage tube, gastrointestinal decompression tube and jejunal feeding tube) with or without temporary covered esophageal stent placement. Abscess drainage, anti-inflammatory treatment and nutritional support were performed thereafter. The esophageal stents and three tubes were removed after leakage healing.

All patient received three-tube method and eight patients received covered stent placement. All operations were technically successful. After a median of 2.4 months, the stents were successfully removed from five patients. No death, esophageal rupture or massive hemorrhage occurred during procedures. The abscess cavity had markedly decreased in seven patients or disappeared in 16 cases. During follow-up, four patients died of cancer recurrence, one died of heart dysfunction and one died of pulmonary infection. The 1-, 3-, 5-year survival rates were 86.4%, 52.3% and 52.3%, respectively.

Interventional radiology protocol is safe, feasible and efficacious for treatment for esophagogastric anastomotic leakage.