ReviewCombat with esophagojejunal anastomotic leakage after total gastrectomy for gastric cancer: A critical review of the literature

•EJAL is one of the most serious complications after TG, despite improvements in surgical instruments and technique.•The occurrence of EJAL would cause poorer quality of life, prolonged hospital stay, and increased mortality.•Although there is ever-increasing knowledge about EJAL, the optimal management is controversial.•Our review demonstrates the effective management through three aspects.

Esophagojejunal anastomotic leakage (EJAL) is considered to be one of the most serious complications after total gastrectomy (TG), despite improvements in surgical instruments and technique. The occurrence of EJAL would cause poorer quality of life, prolonged hospital stay, and increased surgery-related costs and mortality. Although there is ever-increasing knowledge about EJAL, the optimal management is controversial. In the present review, we aim to demonstrate the effective management by focus on the possible risk factors, potentially useful preventive strategies, and several kinds of treatments in esophagojejunal anastomotic leakage after total gastrectomy for gastric cancer.