Xavier Benoit D'Journo

International consensus on standardization of data collection for complications associated with esophagectomy: Esophagectomy Complications Consensus Group (ECCG)

INTRODUCTION Perioperative complications influence long- and short-term outcomes after esophagectomy. The absence of a standardized system for defining and recording complications and quality measures after esophageal resection has meant that there is wide variation in evaluating their impact on these outcomes. METHODS The Esophageal Complications Consensus Group comprised 21 high-volume esophageal surgeons from 14 countries, supported by all the major thoracic and upper gastrointestinal professional societies. Delphi surveys and group meetings were used to achieve a consensus on standardized methods for defining complications and quality measures that could be collected in institutional databases and national audits. RESULTS A standardized list of complications was created to provide a template for recording individual complications associated with esophagectomy. Where possible, these were linked to preexisting international definitions. A Delphi survey facilitated production of specific definitions for anastomotic leak, conduit necrosis, chyle leak, and recurrent nerve palsy. An additional Delphi survey documented consensus regarding critical quality parameters recommended for routine inclusion in databases. These quality parameters were documentation on mortality, comorbidities, completeness of data collection, blood transfusion, grading of complication severity, changes in level of care, discharge location, and readmission rates. CONCLUSIONS The proposed system for defining and recording perioperative complications associated with esophagectomy provides an infrastructure to standardize international data collection and facilitate future comparative studies and quality improvement projects.

Current management of esophageal cancer

Management of esophageal cancer has evolved since the two last decades. Esophagectomy remains the primary treatment for early stage esophageal cancer although its specific role in superficial cancers is still under debate since the development of endoscopic mucosal treatment. To date, there is strong evidence to consider that locally advanced cancers should be recommended for a multimodal treatment with a neoadjuvant chemotherapy or a combined chemoradiotherapy (CRT) followed by surgery. For locally advanced squamous cell carcinoma or for a part of adenocarcinoma, some centers have proposed treating with definitive CRT to avoid related-mortality of surgery. In case of persistent or recurrent disease, a salvage esophagectomy remains a possible option but this procedure is associated with higher levels of perioperative morbidity and mortality. Despite the debate over what constitutes the best surgical approach (transthoracic versus transhiatal), the current question is if a minimally procedure could reduce the periopertive morbidity and mortality without jeopardizing the oncological results of surgery. Since the last decade, minimally invasive esophagectomy (MIE) or hybrid operations are being done in up to 30% of procedures internationally. There are some consistent data that MIE could decrease the incidence of the respiratory complications and decrease the length of hospital-stay. Nowadays, oncologic outcomes appear equivalent between open and minimally invasive procedures but numerous phase III trials are ongoing.

Respiratory complications after oesophagectomy for cancer do not affect disease-free survival

OBJECTIVES Recent studies have suggested that postoperative complications could have a potential negative effect on long-term outcome after oesophagectomy for cancer. Because respiratory failures represent the most frequent postoperative complication, we have investigated the prognostic impact of these complications on disease-free survival (DFS). METHODS From a prospective single-institution database of 405 consecutive patients who underwent transthoracic oesophagectomy for cancer, we retrospectively analysed medical charts of all patients with microscopically complete resection (R0, n = 384 patients). Complications were graded according to the modified Clavien classification. Respiratory complications were defined as atelectasis, pneumonia or acute respiratory distress syndrome in the absence of early surgical complications. Patients with grade 5 (postoperative mortality, n = 43, 11%) were excluded from the analysis. The remaining 341 patients were analysed for estimation of DFS according to the Kaplan-Meier method. Logistic regression analysis was conducted to discriminate predictive factors affecting DFS. RESULTS According to the modified Clavien classification, postoperative complications rates were grade 0: 147 (44%), grade 1: 7 (2%), grade 2: 56 (16%), grade 3: 69 (20%) and grade 4: 62 (18%). Five-year DFS rates were not significantly different between grade 0 (no complication, 38%, n = 147) and other grades (grade 1, 2, 3 and 4 (64, 45, 56 and 48%, respectively)). Respiratory complications occurred in 107 patients (31%) and the 5-year DFS in this subgroup was 47% compared with 38% observed in grade 0 patients (P = 0.75). Clavien classification and respiratory complications did not come out in the univariate analysis of factors affecting DFS. On logistic regression, only two variables affected DFS: c-N stage and extracapular lymph node involvement. CONCLUSIONS When postoperative mortality is excluded, postoperative complications do not affect DFS in patients with complete resection. This deserves substantial information regarding the prognosis of subgroup of patients in critical situations where incrementing intensive care is debated.

Prognostic impact of weight loss in 1‐year survivors after transthoracic esophagectomy for cancer

Malnutrition is common 1 year after esophageal cancer surgery. However, the prognostic impact of this malnutrition on long-term outcome has been poorly reported. This study aims at determining the potential effect on disease-free survival (DFS) of weight loss observed at 1 year in disease-free survivors after curative esophageal resection. From a prospective single-institution database, 304 patients having undergone a transthoracic esophagectomy with two-field lymphadenectomy and gastric reconstruction between 1996 to 2008 were identified. Patients who died during the postoperative course (n= 24), patients who died within the first postoperative year (n= 12), patients who presented with an early recurrence within the first postoperative year (n= 20), and those who were lost to follow-up (n= 22) were excluded from the study, as well as those for whom the follow-up was shorter than 1 year (n= 21). The remaining 205 patients constituted a homogeneous group of 1-year disease-free survivors after full postoperative work-up and formed the material of the present study. Body weight (BW) values were collected before any treatment at the onset of symptoms (initial BW) and 1 year after esophagectomy. A 1-year weight loss (1-YWL) exceeding 10% of the initial BW defined an important malnutrition. Impact of the 1-YWL ≥ or <10% of the initial BW on DFS was investigated. Logistic regression was performed to identify factors affecting DFS. The mean initial BW was 69.1 ± 12 kg, corresponding to a mean body mass index (BMI) of 23.8 ± 3 kg/m(2) . Preoperatively, 32 (15%) patients were in the underweight category (BMI < 20 kg/m2), 110 (54%) were in normal (BMI = 20-24 kg/m2), and 63 (31%) were in the overweight category (BMI ≥ 25 kg/m2). Mean 1-year BW was 63.5 ± 12 kg. 1-YWL was <10% of the initial BW in 92 patients (45%) and ≥ 10% in 113 patients (55%). Accordingly, 5-year DFS rates were 66% (median: 80 months) and 48% (median: 51 months), respectively (P= 0.005). On multivariate analysis, only three independent variables affected the DFS significantly: clinical N stage (cN) status (P= 0.007; odds ratio: 1.99, 1.2-3.3), incomplete resection (P= 0.008, OR: 3.6, 1.3-9.3), and 1-YWL ≥ 10% (P= 0.004, OR: 2.1: 1.2-3.4). 1-YWL of or exceeding 10% of the initial BW in 1-year disease-free survivors has a negative prognostic impact on DFS after esophagectomy for cancer. This information offers another view on the objectives of the perioperative nutritional care of these patients. Special vigilance program on the nutritional status in post-esophagectomy patients should be the rule.

Body mass index kinetics and risk factors of malnutrition one year after radical oesophagectomy for cancer

OBJECTIVE Malnutrition is common after oesophageal cancer surgery. This study aims to investigate body mass index (BMI) kinetics and the risk factors of malnutrition among 1-year disease-free survivors after radical transthoracic oesophagectomy for cancer. METHODS From a prospective single-institution database, 118 1-year disease-free survivors having undergone a R0 transthoracic oesophagectomy with gastric tubulization between 2000 and 2008 were identified retrospectively. BMI values were collected at the onset of the disease (pre-treatment BMI), at the time of surgery (preoperative BMI), at postoperative 6 months and 1 year after oesophagectomy (1-year BMI). Logistic regression was performed with adjustment for confounders to estimate odds ratios of the factors associated with a 1-year weight loss (WL) of at least 15% of the pre-treatment body weight (BW). RESULTS At the onset of the disease, 5 patients (4%) were underweighted (BMI < 8.5 kg/m²), 65 (55%) were normal (BMI = 18.5-24.9 kg/m²), 36 (31%) were overweighted (BMI > 25 kg/m²) and 12 (10%) were obese (BMI > 30 kg/m²). Mean pre-treatment, preoperative, postoperative 6-month and 1-year BMI values were 24.64 ± 4 kg/m², 23.55 ± 3.8 kg/m², 21.7 ± 3 kg/m² and 21.97 ± 4 kg/m², respectively. One-year WL ≥ 15% of the pre-treatment BW was present in 29 patients (25%): 18 among the 48 patients (37%) with a pre-treatment BMI ≥ 25 and 11 among the 70 patients (15%) with pre-treatment BMI < 25 (P = 0.006). On logistic regression, initial overweighting was the sole independent prognosticator of 1-year postoperative WL of at least 15% of the pre-treatment BW (P = 0.039; OR: 2.96, [1.06-8.32]). CONCLUSIONS Postoperative malnutrition remains a severe problem after oesophageal cancer resection, even in long-term disease-free survivors. Overweight and obese patients are the segment population most exposed to this postoperative malnutrition, suggesting that such surgery could have substantial bariatric effect. A special vigilance programme on the nutritional status of this sub-group of patients should be the rule.

Worldwide esophageal cancer collaboration: clinical staging data

To address uncertainty of whether clinical stage groupings (cTNM) for esophageal cancer share prognostic implications with pathologic groupings after esophagectomy alone (pTNM), we report data-simple descriptions of patient characteristics, cancer categories, and non-risk-adjusted survival-for clinically staged patients from the Worldwide Esophageal Cancer Collaboration (WECC). Thirty-three institutions from six continents submitted data using variables with standard definitions: demographics, comorbidities, clinical cancer categories, and all-cause mortality from first management decision. Of 22,123 clinically staged patients, 8,156 had squamous cell carcinoma, 13,814 adenocarcinoma, 116 adenosquamous carcinoma, and 37 undifferentiated carcinoma. Patients were older (62 years) men (80%) with normal body mass index (18.5-25 mg/kg2 , 47%), little weight loss (2.4 ± 7.8 kg), 0-1 ECOG performance status (67%), and history of smoking (67%). Cancers were cT1 (12%), cT2 (22%), cT3 (56%), cN0 (44%), cM0 (95%), and cG2-G3 (89%); most involved the distal esophagus (73%). Non-risk-adjusted survival for squamous cell carcinoma was not distinctive for early cT or cN; for adenocarcinoma, it was distinctive for early versus advanced cT and for cN0 versus cN+. Patients with early cancers had worse survival and those with advanced cancers better survival than expected from equivalent pathologic categories based on prior WECC pathologic data. Thus, clinical and pathologic categories do not share prognostic implications. This makes clinically based treatment decisions difficult and pre-treatment prognostication inaccurate. These data will be the basis for the 8th edition cancer staging manuals following risk adjustment for patient characteristics, cancer categories, and treatment characteristics and should direct 9th edition data collection.

Bronchogenic cyst: best time for surgery?

BACKGROUND Bronchogenic cyst (BC) is a benign congenital mediastinal tumor whose natural course remains unclear. In adults, most BCs are removed by thoracotomy after complications. Currently, prenatal diagnosis is generally feasible and allows an early thoracoscopic intervention. The purpose of this retrospective study was to ascertain the best time for the operation. METHODS Reviewed were 36 patients (11 children, 25 adults) with a BC managed from 2000 to 2011. Clinical history, cyst size, duration of hospitalization, preoperative and postoperative complications, and detection of inflammatory elements were compared (Student t tests) between pediatric and adult patients. RESULTS In the pediatric group, diagnosis was made prenatally in 7 patients, during the neonatal period in 2, and later in 2. Nine were asymptomatic. In the adult group, 20 patients were treated for complications. Thoracotomy was performed in 2 children and thoracoscopy in 9 (no conversion). A thoracoscopic operation was performed in 9 adults (2 conversions), and 17 adults required additional procedures (4 pericardial and 9 lung resections, 3 bronchial, and 1 esophageal sutures). The average length of hospitalization was 4.45 days for children (3.33 days in the thoracoscopic subgroup) and 8 days for adults. Mean maximal cyst diameter was 2.2 cm in children and 6.5 cm in adults (p < 0.10). Pathologic study revealed inflammatory reaction in 2 children (18%) vs 21 adults (84%; p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS Early surgical resection of BCs provides better conservation of pulmonary parenchyma, a lower incidence of inflammatory lesions, and a reduced rate of complications, and should be proposed after prenatal diagnosis, between the 6th and 12th month of life.

Extracapsular Lymph Node Involvement Is a Negative Prognostic Factor After Neoadjuvant Chemoradiotherapy in Locally Advanced Esophageal Cancer

Introduction: To assess prognosis depending on whether lymph node involvement (LNI) is intracapsular or with extracapsular breakthrough in patients with a locally advanced esophageal cancer treated with neoadjuvant chemoradiation and surgery. Methods: Ninety-four consecutive patients with an esophageal cancer staged IIB (n = 17) and III (n = 77) received neoadjuvant chemoradiation followed by transthoracic esophagectomy with two-field lymphadenectomy. Histology was squamous cell carcinoma (n = 46) and adenocarcinoma (n = 48). Neoadjuvant therapy consisted of association of 5-fluorouracil/cisplatin concomitantly with a 45-Gy radiation therapy. Disease-free survival (DFS) excluding the in-hospital mortality was analyzed according to the nodal status and the invaded/resected lymph node ratio (LNR). Clinical factors affecting survival or predictors of extracapsular invasion were investigated by multivariate analysis. Results: Five-year DFS rates were 46, 36, and 11% in N0 patients (n = 56), intracapsular LNI patients (n = 18), and extracapsular LNI patients (n = 10), respectively (p = 0.002). Intracapsular LNI patients with an LNR <0.1 (n = 12) had a 5-year DFS rate similar to N0 patients (44 versus 46%, p = 0.95). Intracapsular LNI patients with an LNR ≥0.1 (n = 6) had a DFS rate similar to extracapsular LNI patients (18 versus 11%, p = 0.69). Multivariate analysis revealed that the sole independent factor affecting DFS was the extracapsular LNI (HR = 3.9, p = 0.026). The number of invaded LN seemed to be the sole significant predictive factor for the development of ECLNI (HR = 2.39, p = 0.008). Conclusion: After neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy, there was a significant difference on DFS depending on whether LNI was intracapsular or extracapsular. Extracapsular invasion seems to be an independent negative prognostic factor affecting survival, and its presence is related to the number of invaded LN.

Worldwide esophageal cancer collaboration: neoadjuvant pathologic staging data

To address uncertainty of whether pathologic stage groupings after neoadjuvant therapy (ypTNM) for esophageal cancer share prognostic implications with pathologic groupings after esophagectomy alone (pTNM), we report data-simple descriptions of patient characteristics, cancer categories, and non-risk-adjusted survival-for pathologically staged cancers after neoadjuvant therapy from the Worldwide Esophageal Cancer Collaboration (WECC). Thirty-three institutions from six continents submitted data using variables with standard definitions: demographics, comorbidities, clinical cancer categories, and all-cause mortality from first management decision. Of 7,773 pathologically staged neoadjuvant patients, 2,045 had squamous cell carcinoma, 5,686 adenocarcinoma, 31 adenosquamous carcinoma, and 11 undifferentiated carcinoma. Patients were older (61 years) men (83%) with normal (40%) or overweight (35%) body mass index, 0-1 Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status (96%), and a history of smoking (69%). Cancers were ypT0 (20%), ypT1 (13%), ypT2 (18%), ypT3 (44%), ypN0 (55%), ypM0 (94%), and G2-G3 (72%); most involved the distal esophagus (80%). Non-risk-adjusted survival for yp categories was unequally depressed, more for earlier categories than later, compared with equivalent categories from prior WECC data for esophagectomy-alone patients. Thus, survival of patients with ypT0-2N0M0 cancers was intermediate and similar regardless of ypT; survival for ypN+ cancers was poor. Because prognoses for ypTNM and pTNM categories are dissimilar, prognostication should be based on separate ypTNM categories and groupings. These data will be the basis for the 8th edition cancer staging manuals following risk adjustment for patient, cancer, and treatment characteristics and should direct 9th edition data collection.

Benchmarking Complications Associated with Esophagectomy

Objective: Utilizing a standardized dataset with specific definitions to prospectively collect international data to provide a benchmark for complications and outcomes associated with esophagectomy. Summary of Background Data: Outcome reporting in oncologic surgery has suffered from the lack of a standardized system for reporting operative results particularly complications. This is particularly the case for esophagectomy affecting the accuracy and relevance of international outcome assessments, clinical trial results, and quality improvement projects. Methods: The Esophageal Complications Consensus Group (ECCG) involving 24 high-volume esophageal surgical centers in 14 countries developed a standardized platform for recording complications and quality measures associated with esophagectomy. Using a secure online database (ESODATA.org), ECCG centers prospectively recorded data on all resections according to the ECCG platform from these centers over a 2-year period. Results: Between January 2015 and December 2016, 2704 resections were entered into the database. All demographic and follow-up data fields were 100% complete. The majority of operations were for cancer (95.6%) and typically located in the distal esophagus (56.2%). Some 1192 patients received neoadjuvant chemoradiation (46.1%) and 763 neoadjuvant chemotherapy (29.5%). Surgical approach involved open procedures in 52.1% and minimally invasive operations in 47.9%. Chest anastomoses were done most commonly (60.7%) and R0 resections were accomplished in 93.4% of patients. The overall incidence of complications was 59% with the most common individual complications being pneumonia (14.6%) and atrial dysrhythmia (14.5%). Anastomotic leak, conduit necrosis, chyle leaks, recurrent nerve injury occurred in 11.4%, 1.3%, 4.7%, and 4.2% of cases, respectively. Clavien-Dindo complications ≥ IIIb occurred in 17.2% of patients. Readmissions occurred in 11.2% of cases and 30- and 90-day mortality was 2.4% and 4.5%, respectively. Conclusion: Standardized methods provide contemporary international benchmarks for reporting outcomes after esophagectomy.