Esophagus

Ivor Lewis Esophagectomy leak

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Q)  After Ivor Lewis esophagectomy, on postoperative day 5 (POD 5), bile is seen in the chest tube. The patient presents with a heart rate of 120 bpm, a temperature of 101°F, and blood pressure of 100/70 mmHg. What is the next appropriate step in management?

 a) Stenting
b) Colonic replacement of gastric conduit
c) IV antibiotics
d) Conduit excision and esophageal diversion

Correct Answer: d) Conduit excision and esophageal diversion

Rationale:

In patients who develop a completely necrotic conduit post-esophagectomy, the risk of sepsis is high. These patients often require urgent surgical intervention. Upon confirming conduit necrosis, the conduit must be resected, and the patient should undergo diversion, which includes:

  • End esophagostomy
  • Venting gastrostomy
  • Feeding jejunostomy

It is crucial to maintain as much length of the remaining esophagus as possible to facilitate future reconstructive procedures.

Key Points:

  • Postoperative Day 5: Critical time for monitoring complications after esophagectomy.
  • Symptoms of Concern: Tachycardia, fever, and hypotension may indicate sepsis or other complications.
  • Surgical Intervention: Timely recognition and management are vital for patient outcomes.

For further reading, refer to Schakelford’s Surgical Anatomy of the Gastrointestinal Tract.

Schakelford page 477

 

THE vs TTE

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Q) Trans Hiatal Esophagectomy ( THE)  vs Trans Thoracic Esophagectomy ( TTE)   which is not true? ( Question asked in all AIIMS and INI exams since 2017) 

a) Leak rates are more with TTE 

b) Pulmonary complication is more with TTE

c) Side to side stapler anastomosis has less leaks than open two layer suturing

d) THE can be done through minimally invasive surgery

Esophagus Mock test  1

Esophagus Mock test 2 

Ans c

Pulmonary complications  are 57% with TTE 27% with  THE  ( SKF 409)

Anastomotic leak 16% TTE and 14% THE ( not significant) subclinical leak slightly more in THE

Option D is correct

Cardiac complications, Vocal cord paralysis , wound infection, chyle leak are all more with TTE

Blackmon et al. published a propensity-matched analysis comparing outcomes between side-to-side stapled anastomosis, end-to-end circular stapled anastomosis, and handsewn,
with no significant difference in leak rate noted.  ( SKF page 475)

SKF page 409

Caustic Injuries of Esophagus

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Q . Caustic injury of esophagus. Which statement is not true  ( # All Questions of esophagus) 
a) Steroid is used as a treatment 
b) Carcinoma risk  is 30%
c) Contrast study has false negative of 25%
d Esophageal stent reduce leaks by 75%

Ans ) a

Points of esophagus caustic injuries

There is no proven benefit of starting steroids in early or intermediate phase of injury as there is no evidence to support prevention of stricture

  1. Endoscopy should be performed after initial stabilization
  2. Complete esophagus can be examined now with flexible endoscopes
  3. Available studies show no benefit of steroid use ( skf PAGE 521) 
  4. Cancer risk is 30% in injured and non injured portions

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