Major complications of minimally invasive Ivor Lewis oesophagectomy using the purse string-stapled anastomotic technique in 215 patients with oesophageal carcinoma

OBJECTIVES: The purse string-stapled anastomotic technique is a method for minimally invasive oesophagectomy with intrathoracic anastomosis, in which a purse string is hand sewn without the necessity of specialized devices, such as OrVil and Endo-Stitch. Since this technique was first reported by our surgical team in 2012, several measures in the operation have been refined. Furthermore, there are very few literature reports on the major complications of minimally invasive oesophagectomy with this technique. This article studies the major complications of minimally invasive Ivor Lewis oesophagectomy with this technique and explores methods for prevention and treatment. METHODS: Clinical data of 215 patients with oesophageal cancer who underwent thoracoscopic laparoscopic oesophagectomy with intrathoracic anastomosis from October 2011 to December 2015 were analysed. No patients received preoperative radiotherapy and chemotherapy. During the operation, the purse string was simply hand sewn before it was tightened and tied, and anastomosis was performed using a circular stapler. RESULTS: Six (2.79%) patients developed anastomotic leakage, and all of them were treated conservatively. Three (1.40%) patients experienced postoperative haemorrhage; of them, 2 were cured with conservative treatment. The remaining patient was cured by endoscopic management using titanium clips. Thirty-nine (18.14%) patients experienced postoperative pulmonary complications. One (1.47%) patient died due to pulmonary infection with respiratory failure although he had received mechanical ventilator support after tracheotomy. Five (2.33%) patients developed chyle leakage and 5 (2.33%) patients developed recurrent laryngeal nerve injuries. CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of major complications is acceptable for thoracoscopic laparoscopic oesophagectomy with intrathoracic anastomosis using this purse string-stapled anastomotic technique, which is feasible and safe to perform. Some measures designed in the operation will be conducive to reduce the incidence of major complications.