Purpose: To summarize the most current information about the etiology, pathophysiology, clinical presentation, treatment, and outcome of esophagogastrostomy leaks following esophagectomy.
Method: The English language literature was searched by manual methods and MEDLINE for original articles reporting results and complications of esophagectomy.
Results: Esophagogastrostomy anastomotic leaks cause considerable morbidity and mortality after esophagectomy. Their major etiologic factors are ischemia of the gastric fundus and errors in surgical technique. The clinical presentation of postoperative anastomotic leak ranges from an asymptomatic radiographic finding to a necrotizing thoracic infection. Severity of illness is largely dependent on four factors: gastric viability, the site (thorax or neck) and time of the leak, and its containment by surrounding tissues. Cervical anastomoses have a higher leak rate than thoracic anastomoses, but leaks from thoracic anastomoses are more morbid.
Conclusion: Leaks from thoracic anastomoses require aggressive surgical treatment. Cervical anastomotic leaks that are truly confined to the neck can usually be managed at the bedside with wound drainage and packing. However, the seriousness of cervical anastomotic leaks should not be underestimated. Some leaks from anastomoses constructed in the neck are, in reality, mediastinal leaks. Selected patients with radiologically detected asymptomatic leaks can be managed conservatively.