Prediction of major postoperative complications and survival for locally advanced esophageal carcinoma patients

SummaryBackgroundPredicting the major complications after esophagectomy is important and may help in preselecting patients who are most likely to benefit from surgery, especially in locally advanced esophageal cancer patients who have poor prognosis.ObjectiveTo identify the factors associated with the development of pneumonia and anastomotic leakage complications, and the survival characteristics in locally advanced esophageal cancer patients.MethodsA consecutive series of 232 locally advanced esophageal cancer patients (183 men and 49 women, median age 63 years) who underwent esophagectomy at Prince of Songkla University Hospital between 1998 and 2007 was analyzed.ResultsThere were nine (3.8%) 30-day mortalities. Pneumonia occurred in 53 patients (22.8%) and anastomotic leakage in 37 patients (15.9%). Multivariate analyses showed that low body mass index was related to leakage (p = 0.015), while soft-diet dysphagia (p = 0.009), forced expiratory volume in 1 second <75% (p = 0.0005), type of surgery (McKeown technique) (p = 0.019), and long operative time (p = 0.006) were related to pneumonia. The median survival rate was 13.0 months. Stage 2b patients had longer survival than stages 3 and 4a patients (p = 0.0001).ConclusionPatient body mass index, dysphagia, spirometry, type of surgical technique, and operative time can help predict the likelihood of pulmonary or leak complications after esophagectomy. TNM (Tumor, Node, Metastasis) staging can help predict the overall survival after resection in locally advanced cases.