Omentoplasty in the prevention of anastomotic leakage after oesophagectomy: A meta-analysis

ObjectiveTo evaluate the efficacy of omentoplasty for the prevention of anastomotic leakage after oesophagectomy.MethodsA systemic review of the Cochrane Library database CENTRAL, MEDLINE and EMBASE from inception to March 2014 was performed. Randomized controlled trials comparing omentoplasty with non-omentoplasty after oesophageal resection for a primary oncological indication were included. Meta-analysis was performed for anastomotic leakage, specific complication rates, in hospital mortality, local recurrence and duration of hospitalization. Data was reported as a Peto odds ratio (Peto OR), odds ratio (OR), weighted mean difference (WMD) or relative risk (RR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI).ResultsThree randomized controlled trials with a total of 633 anastamoses were included. The omentoplasty group demonstrated a significantly lower incidence of postoperative anastomotic leakage (Peto OR: 0.26; 95% CI 0.14 to 0.52), and reduced duration of hospitalization (WMD −2.13; 95% CI −3.57 to −0.69). There was no significant difference between the omentoplasty and non-omentoplasty groups in the incidence of anastomotic strictures (RR: 0.91, 95% CI: 0.33 to 2.57), hospital mortality (RR: 0.86, 95% CI: 0.29 to 2.51), pulmonary complications (RR: 0.90, 95% CI: 0.59 to 1.35) and recurrence after surgery (RR: 1.17, 95% CI: 0.95 to 1.43).ConclusionsOmentoplasty may reduce the incidence of anastomotic leakage following oesophagectomy for oesophageal cancer.