Follow up pattern for post oesophagectomy patients at a single centre: association with peri-operative variables

BACKGROUND: Though the operative mortality for resection of oesophageal malignancy has fallen significantly over time, the overall postoperative survival has remained fairly constant irrespective of surgical techniques, preoperative disease spread being the main independent prognostic indicator of survival. AIM: This is a five year prospective review, from 2001 to 2006, of post oesophagectomy patients, evaluating follow up and associated variables. MATERIALS AND METHODS: One hundred and seven patients were included into the study. Peri-operative and post discharge data were recorded. Data analysis reviewed the follow up pattern and the relationship to selected variables. RESULTS: The one, three and five year follow up rates were 30%, 5% and 3% respectively. Although a trend of shorter follow up was noted for the presence of preoperative overweight,