Prior chemoradiation and retrosternal placement of conduit were risk factors for development of benign anastomotic stricture after esophagectomy using a hand-sewn technique

Digestive Disease Week (DDW) 2011, Chicago, IL., 7-11 May 2011.SSAT Poster Session - Clinical: Esophageal: abstract P193BACKGROUND: Benign anastomotic stricture is a complication of esophagectomy that affects quality of life. The purpose of this study is to identify risk factors for development of such strictures after a hand-sewn anastomosis. METHODS: A retrospective study was performed on a prospectively collected database for patients who had undergone curative esophagectomy from 1994 - 2008 for esophageal cancer. Patients who had the anastomosis constructed by a one-layer continuous technique using a fine absorbable monofilament suture were included. Stricture was defined as dysphagia promoting endoscopic dilatation. Risk factors for development of stricture were identified using univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses. RESULTS: Esophagectomy was performed in 526 patients. The median age was 66 yrs (21-89) and 423 (80.4%) were male. Benign strictures developed in 125 (23.4%) patients at a median of 55 days (range 18-2230) after surgery, requiring a median of 2 dilatations (range: 1-25); 113 (85%) needed less than 4 dilatations. Of the 125 patients, 75 (60%) developed stricture within 60 days after esophagectomy. Prior chemoradiation (OR 2.602, 95% CI (1.635-4.141), p