Skip to main content

Lund University Publications

LUND UNIVERSITY LIBRARIES

International Variation in Surgical Practices in Units Performing Oesophagectomy for Oesophageal Cancer : A Unit Survey from the Oesophago-Gastric Anastomosis Audit (OGAA)

Bundred, James and K. Kamarajah, Sivesh (2019) In World Journal of Surgery 43. p.2874-2884
Abstract

BACKGROUND: Anastomotic leaks are associated with significant risk of morbidity, mortality and treatment costs after oesophagectomy. The aim of this study was to evaluate international variation in unit-level clinical practice and resource availability for the prevention and management of anastomotic leak following oesophagectomy.

METHOD: The Oesophago-Gastric Anastomosis Audit (OGAA) is an international research collaboration focussed on improving the care and outcomes of patients undergoing oesophagectomy. Any unit performing oesophagectomy worldwide can register to participate in OGAA studies. An online unit survey was developed and disseminated to lead surgeons at each unit registered to participate in OGAA. High-income... (More)

BACKGROUND: Anastomotic leaks are associated with significant risk of morbidity, mortality and treatment costs after oesophagectomy. The aim of this study was to evaluate international variation in unit-level clinical practice and resource availability for the prevention and management of anastomotic leak following oesophagectomy.

METHOD: The Oesophago-Gastric Anastomosis Audit (OGAA) is an international research collaboration focussed on improving the care and outcomes of patients undergoing oesophagectomy. Any unit performing oesophagectomy worldwide can register to participate in OGAA studies. An online unit survey was developed and disseminated to lead surgeons at each unit registered to participate in OGAA. High-income country (HIC) and low/middle-income country (LMIC) were defined according to the World Bank whilst unit volume were defined as < 20 versus 20-59 versus ≥60 cases/year in the unit.

RESULTS: Responses were received from 141 units, a 77% (141/182) response rate. Median annual oesophagectomy caseload was reported to be 26 (inter-quartile range 12-50). Only 48% (68/141) and 22% (31/141) of units had an Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) program and ERAS nurse, respectively. HIC units had significantly higher rates of stapled anastomosis compared to LMIC units (66 vs 31%, p = 0.005). Routine post-operative contrast-swallow anastomotic assessment was performed in 52% (73/141) units. Stent placement and interventional radiology drainage for anastomotic leak management were more commonly available in HICs than LMICs (99 vs 59%, p < 0.001 and 99 vs 83%, p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS: This international survey highlighted variation in surgical technique and management of anastomotic leak based on case volume and country income level. Further research is needed to understand the impact of this variation on patient outcomes.

(Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
and
contributor
LU
author collaboration
organization
publishing date
type
Contribution to journal
publication status
published
subject
keywords
Anastomosis, Surgical/adverse effects, Anastomotic Leak/prevention & control, Developed Countries/statistics & numerical data, Developing Countries/statistics & numerical data, Drainage/statistics & numerical data, Enhanced Recovery After Surgery, Esophageal Neoplasms/surgery, Esophagectomy/adverse effects, Hospital Units/organization & administration, Humans, Internationality, Stents/statistics & numerical data, Surveys and Questionnaires
in
World Journal of Surgery
volume
43
pages
2874 - 2884
publisher
Springer
external identifiers
  • pmid:31332491
  • scopus:85072945830
ISSN
1432-2323
DOI
10.1007/s00268-019-05080-1
language
English
LU publication?
yes
id
60dd0236-3eb9-4158-a85b-13b35da21f79
date added to LUP
2022-09-28 20:59:32
date last changed
2024-06-13 19:41:19
@article{60dd0236-3eb9-4158-a85b-13b35da21f79,
  abstract     = {{<p>BACKGROUND: Anastomotic leaks are associated with significant risk of morbidity, mortality and treatment costs after oesophagectomy. The aim of this study was to evaluate international variation in unit-level clinical practice and resource availability for the prevention and management of anastomotic leak following oesophagectomy.</p><p>METHOD: The Oesophago-Gastric Anastomosis Audit (OGAA) is an international research collaboration focussed on improving the care and outcomes of patients undergoing oesophagectomy. Any unit performing oesophagectomy worldwide can register to participate in OGAA studies. An online unit survey was developed and disseminated to lead surgeons at each unit registered to participate in OGAA. High-income country (HIC) and low/middle-income country (LMIC) were defined according to the World Bank whilst unit volume were defined as &lt; 20 versus 20-59 versus ≥60 cases/year in the unit.</p><p>RESULTS: Responses were received from 141 units, a 77% (141/182) response rate. Median annual oesophagectomy caseload was reported to be 26 (inter-quartile range 12-50). Only 48% (68/141) and 22% (31/141) of units had an Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) program and ERAS nurse, respectively. HIC units had significantly higher rates of stapled anastomosis compared to LMIC units (66 vs 31%, p = 0.005). Routine post-operative contrast-swallow anastomotic assessment was performed in 52% (73/141) units. Stent placement and interventional radiology drainage for anastomotic leak management were more commonly available in HICs than LMICs (99 vs 59%, p &lt; 0.001 and 99 vs 83%, p &lt; 0.001).</p><p>CONCLUSIONS: This international survey highlighted variation in surgical technique and management of anastomotic leak based on case volume and country income level. Further research is needed to understand the impact of this variation on patient outcomes.</p>}},
  author       = {{Bundred, James and K. Kamarajah, Sivesh}},
  issn         = {{1432-2323}},
  keywords     = {{Anastomosis, Surgical/adverse effects; Anastomotic Leak/prevention & control; Developed Countries/statistics & numerical data; Developing Countries/statistics & numerical data; Drainage/statistics & numerical data; Enhanced Recovery After Surgery; Esophageal Neoplasms/surgery; Esophagectomy/adverse effects; Hospital Units/organization & administration; Humans; Internationality; Stents/statistics & numerical data; Surveys and Questionnaires}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  pages        = {{2874--2884}},
  publisher    = {{Springer}},
  series       = {{World Journal of Surgery}},
  title        = {{International Variation in Surgical Practices in Units Performing Oesophagectomy for Oesophageal Cancer : A Unit Survey from the Oesophago-Gastric Anastomosis Audit (OGAA)}},
  url          = {{http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00268-019-05080-1}},
  doi          = {{10.1007/s00268-019-05080-1}},
  volume       = {{43}},
  year         = {{2019}},
}