Endoscopic naso-leakage drainage: a safe and effective method for the management of intrathoracic anastomotic leakage after esophagectomy

Background: Intrathoracic anastomotic leakage (IAL) remains a major complication of esophagectomy. Main non-surgical options of management include chest drainage and endoscope interventions. This study is aim to present our experience and assess the efficacy of endoscopic naso-leakage drainage (ENLD) in patients with IAL. Methods: From June 2011 to January 2017, 67 patients who developed IAL after esophagectomy and managed by non-surgical approaches were analyzed retrospectively. IAL was confirmed by clinical presentations combined with the evidence of CT scan, radiography and endoscopy. Thirty-eight patients were treated by conventional chest drainage (CD group) and 29 patients underwent ENLD with or without chest drainage (ENLD group), while other treatments including enteral nutrition and antibiotics had no difference between the two groups. In ENLD group, a 12 Fr naso-leakage tube was placed through the leakage to the bottom of vomica under ultra-slim electronic gastroscope. The naso-leakage tube was then connected to a gastrointestinal decompression device for drainage and was also used for rinse. When the vomica diminished and the drainage was also clean, the naso-leakage tube could be pulled back gradually. Finally, healing of the leakage was confirmed endoscopically. Clinical records of the two groups were analyzed. Results: In ENLD group, naso-leakage tubes were successfully placed under endoscope in all 29 patients without any procedure-related complications. In CD group, the mortality is 7.9% (three patients) and five patients (13.2%) developed to systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) due to insufficient drainage. While in ENLD group, there was only one patient (3.4%) developed to SIRS and no death was observed, but the difference was not statistically significant. When compared with the CD group, the ENLD group had a shorter healing course (44.2+/-18.3 vs. 60.5+/-27.7 days, P= 0.008), duration of antibiotics usage (16.4+/-7.8 vs. 11.8+/-3.8 days, P< 0.001) and duration of fever (4.3+/-2.2 vs. 9.5+/-8.6 days, P= 0.002). Conclusions: To our initial experience, ENLD is an ideal option with safety and efficacy in management of IAL after esophagectomy.