Retrospective analysis of causes of complications and mortality in patients undergoing oesophagectomy due to esophageal cancer

Purpose: Esophageal cancer ranks eighth among the most common cancers and sixth among cancer-related deaths. Esophagectomy still constitutes the most important place in the treatment of this disease, despite its high morbidity rates. Being able to predict postoperative complications may be the most important factor in reducing morbidity. In this study, it has been aimed to analyze the causes of complications and mortality in patients who underwent esophagectomy due to esophageal cancer. Material and Method: In this study, files of 34 patients who underwent esophagectomy with the diagnosis of esophageal adenocarcinoma or squamous cell cancer in the General Surgery Clinic of Çukurova University Faculty of Medicine between January 01, 2011 and January 01, 2020 are retrospectively analyzed. Postoperative complications were determined according to clavien dindo classification. The patients were divided into two groups. (Group 1 clavien dindo <3, group 2 clavien dindo ≥3). Findings: The mean age of 34 patients who underwent resection with a diagnosis of esophageal cancer was 56.38±11.00 years. The female to male ratio was equal. The most common accompanying disease was diabetes mellitus. ASA 3 patients were more common in group 2 (p: 0.034). In both groups, the tumor was most frequently located in the lower thoracic esophagus. Cervical anastomosis was more in group 2. Manual anastomosis was higher in both groups. Respiratory complications were the most common complication in both groups. Respiratory complications were higher in group 2 (p: 0.038). 30-day mortality and reoperation were higher in group 2. Conclusion: Radical esophageal cancer surgery is a surgery that results in high complications and mortality due to the anatomical location and the recognition of the disease at an advanced stage. The causes of complications and mortality can be caused by both the patient and the surgical technique. We think that revealing and correcting the correctable causes before surgery can improve survival and quality of life after surgery. Keywords: Esophageal cancer, Complications, Mortality, Clavien dindo