Hand-sewn versus stapled anastomoses for esophagectomy: We will probably never know which is better.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

Esophagectomy remains the mainstay of treatment for nonmetastatic esophageal cancer. The optimal technique for anastomosis after esophagectomy remains unknown. The purpose of this systematic meta-analysis is to combine the available high-quality evidence to provide esophageal surgeons with an evidence base for their decision making.

Methods

A systematic search of multiple databases was conducted to find randomized controlled trials of esophageal anastomotic techniques. A meta-analysis of the pooled data was conducted.

Results

A total of 19 studies with 2123 patients were included in the meta-analysis. The pooled analysis revealed a 102% higher incidence of anastomotic leak after hand-sewn anastomosis compared with stapled anastomosis (odds ratio [OR], 2.02;

SUBMITTER: Jarvinen T 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9390502 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature