Endoscopy 2020; 52(08): 632-642
DOI: 10.1055/a-1149-1741
Systematic review

Endoscopic vacuum therapy versus stenting for postoperative esophago-enteric anastomotic leakage: systematic review and meta-analysis

Pasquale Scognamiglio
1   Department of General, Visceral and Thoracic Surgery, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
,
Matthias Reeh
1   Department of General, Visceral and Thoracic Surgery, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
,
Karl Karstens
1   Department of General, Visceral and Thoracic Surgery, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
,
Eugen Bellon
1   Department of General, Visceral and Thoracic Surgery, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
,
Marcus Kantowski
2   Department of Interdisciplinary Endoscopy, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
,
Gerhard Schön
3   Institute of Medical Biometry and Epidemiology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
,
Antonia Zapf
3   Institute of Medical Biometry and Epidemiology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
,
Seung-Hun Chon
4   Department of General, Visceral and Cancer Surgery, University Hospital Cologne, Cologne, Germany
,
Jakob R. Izbicki
1   Department of General, Visceral and Thoracic Surgery, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
,
Michael Tachezy
1   Department of General, Visceral and Thoracic Surgery, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
› Author Affiliations

Abstract

Background Esophageal anastomotic leakage still represents a challenging complication after esophageal surgery. Endoscopically placed self-expandable metal stents (SEMS) are the treatment of choice, but since the introduction of endoscopic vacuum therapy (EVT) for esophageal leakage 10 years ago, increasing evidence has demonstrated that EVT might be a superior alternative. Therefore, we performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to compare the effectiveness and related morbidity of SEMS and EVT in the treatment of esophageal leak.

Methods We systematically searched for studies comparing SEMS and EVT to treat anastomotic leakage after esophageal surgery. Predefined end points including outcome, treatment success, endoscopy, treatment duration, hospitalization time, morbidity, and mortality were assessed and included in the meta-analysis.

Results Five retrospective studies including 274 patients matched the inclusion criteria. Compared with stenting, EVT was significantly associated with a higher rate of leak closure (odds ratio [OR] 3.14, 95 % confidence interval [CI] 1.23 to 7.98), more endoscopic device changes (pooled median difference of 3.09; 95 %CI 1.54 to 4.64]), a shorter duration of treatment (pooled median difference –11.90 days; 95 %CI –18.59 to –5.21 days), and a lower mortality rate (OR 0.39, 95 %CI 0.18 to 0.83). There were no significant differences in short-term and major complications.

Conclusions Owing to the retrospective quality of the studies with potential biases, the results of the meta-analysis must be interpreted with caution. However, the analysis indicates the potential benefit of EVT, which should be further investigated with standardized and prospectively collected data.



Publication History

Received: 26 September 2019

Accepted: 10 March 2020

Article published online:
21 April 2020

© Georg Thieme Verlag KG
Stuttgart · New York

 
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