Endoscopic Management for Post-Surgical Complications after Resection of Esophageal Cancer

Background: Esophageal cancer (EC) is the sixth-leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the world. Esophagectomy is the most effective treatment for patients without invasion of adjacent organs or distant metastasis. Complications and relevant problems may occur in the early post-operative course...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Dörte Wichmann, Stefano Fusco, Christoph R. Werner, Sabrina Voesch, Benedikt Duckworth-Mothes, Ulrich Schweizer, Dietmar Stüker, Alfred Königsrainer, Karolin Thiel, Markus Quante
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2022-02-01
Series:Cancers
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6694/14/4/980
Description
Summary:Background: Esophageal cancer (EC) is the sixth-leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the world. Esophagectomy is the most effective treatment for patients without invasion of adjacent organs or distant metastasis. Complications and relevant problems may occur in the early post-operative course or in a delayed fashion. Here, innovative endoscopic techniques for the treatment of postsurgical problems were developed during the past 20 years. Methods: Endoscopic treatment strategies for the following postoperative complications are presented: anastomotic bleeding, anastomotic insufficiency, delayed gastric passage and anastomotic stenosis. Based on a literature review covering the last two decades, therapeutic procedures are presented and analyzed. Results: Addressing the four complications mentioned, clipping, stenting, injection therapy, dilatation, and negative pressure therapy are successfully utilized as endoscopic treatment techniques today. Conclusion: Endoscopic treatment plays a major role in both early-postoperative and long-term aftercare. During the past 20 years, essential therapeutic measures have been established. A continuous development of these techniques in the field of endoscopy can be expected.
ISSN:2072-6694