LAUSR

To identify predictors for anastomotic leakage after esophagectomy and to determine the influence of anastomotic leakage on short-term and long-term survival. Identifying predictors of anastomotic leakage after esophagectomy may contribute to its prevention. The influence of anastomotic leakage on long-term survival is unclear. A retrospective cohort study was conducted in consecutive patients who underwent an esophagectomy with reconstruction in the Amsterdam UMC, location AMC, between January 1993 and January 2019. Logistic regression and Cox regression models were used to assess predictors for anastomotic leakage and to assess survival. 1747 patients were included, of which 326 (18.7%) developed anastomotic leakage. Independent predictors of cervical anastomotic leakage were diabetes mellitus, cT4-stage and a gastroesophageal junction tumor. ASA grade 3-5, a non-radical resection, pT2-stage, pN+ and hand sewn anastomosis were independent predictors of intrathoracic anastomotic leakage (table 1). 30-day mortality was 2% in patients without, and 4% of patients with anastomotic leakage (p=0.076). Anastomotic leakage did not significantly influence long-term survival when corrected for confounders (HR 0.96 95%CI 0.81 – 1.14, p=0.618). Independent risk factors for anastomotic leakage after esophagectomy are diabetes mellitus, cT4-stage and a gastroesophageal junction tumor for cervical anastomosis, and ASA grade 3-5, a non-radical resection, pT2-stage, pN+ and hand sewn anastomosis for intrathoracic anastomosis. 30-day mortality was higher in the anastomotic leakage group. We found no correlation between anastomotic leakage and long term survival.