Outcomes of Anastomotic Leakage After Esophagectomy Before and After Implementation of Endoscopic Vacuum Therapy in a Tertiary Referral Center

Abstract Background Anastomotic leakage (AL) after esophagectomy is associated with severe morbidity and a high mortality. Endoscopic vacuum therapy (EVT) has recently been established as a promising endoscopic treatment option for AL, with success rates of higher than 80%. The aim of this study was to compare outcomes of AL after esophagectomy, before and after implementation of EVT. Methods For this cohort study, consecutive patients with AL after transthoracic esophagectomy with gastric conduit reconstruction with cervical or thoracic anastomosis from two different time periods (before the implementation phase of EVT 2013–2017, pre-EVT, and after 2020–2023, EVT) were included. Data was collected from a prospectively maintained database. Outcome measures included initial treatment modality, re-operation, intensive care unit (ICU) admission, hospital stay, and complications, classified according to Clavien-Dindo. Results 100 patients with AL were included, with 50 patients in the pre-EVT group and 50 patients in the EVT group. In the pre-EVT group, initial treatment of AL consisted of conservative therapy (n=20, 40%), endoscopic stenting (n=13, 26%), endoscopic drainage (n=6, 12%) or surgery (n=11, 22%). In the EVT group, initial treatment of AL consisted of conservative therapy (n=5, 10%), surgery (n=2, 4%) or EVT (n=43, 86%). Other baseline characteristics showed no differences. The EVT group had a significantly lower initial surgical treatment rate compared to the pre-EVT group (respectively 2 4% vs. 11 22%, p=0.03). Furthermore, the EVT group had a significantly lower ICU admission rate than the pre-EVT group (respectively 16 32% vs. 35 70%, p0.001). Clavien-Dindo classification differed significantly between the two groups (p = 0.033), with less Grade IIIa and more Grade IVa in the pre-EVT group, compared to the EVT group. Reoperations occurred in 17 patients (34%) in the pre-EVT group and 9 (18%) in the EVT group, which was not statistically significant. No statistically significant difference was observed in length of hospital stay. Conclusion The implementation of EVT as treatment option for AL after esophagectomy in this tertiary referral center may have led to a lower ICU admission rate. Taking this into consideration, EVT may be associated with long term health benefits for the patient and reduced healthcare costs.