Postoperative Morbidity in Curative Resection of Gastroesophageal Carcinoma Does Not Impact Long-term Survival

Abstract

Significant morbidity and mortality have historically been reported for surgical resection of gastric and gastroesophageal junction tumors. We evaluated our experience to determine morbidity and mortality and evaluated demographic and pathologic risk factors associated with postoperative outcome and long-term survival. A retrospective, Institutional Review Board-approved, single-institution database identified 102 patients who underwent resection with curative intent for gastroesophageal junction or gastric carcinoma from 2004 to 2012. The method of Kaplan and Meier was used to describe overall survival and estimate median survival. Of 102 patients, 74 were male and 28 were female. Of these, 24 patients were > 70 years of age at surgery (median = 62.9). Forty esophagectomies, 25 total gastrectomies, and 37 subtotal gastrectomies were performed. Two patients died (one esophagectomy and one gastrectomy). Forty-one developed a complication: 17 minor and 35 major, including six anastomotic leaks. Patients with low preoperative albumin (P = 0.01) and increased age (P = 0.05) were associated with having a postoperative complication; extent of nodal dissection (P = 0.48), jejunostomy (0.24), performance status (P = 0.77), type of surgery (P = 0.74), and neoadjuvant therapy (P = 0.24) were not associated. More extensive nodal dissection was associated with a decreased risk of death (P = 0.007). Having any complication (P = 0.20), an anastomotic leak (P = 0.17), worse grade of complication (P = 0.15), presence of feeding jejunostomy tube (P = 0.17), and neoadjuvant therapy (P = 0.30) were not associated with changes in overall survival. Thorough lymph node dissection improves survival without increasing postoperative morbidity. The data advocate for increased lymph node yield and close attention to nutritional support in gastroesophageal carcinoma patients.