Pyloroplasty Reduces the Need for Pyloric Dilatation After Esophagectomy

Background:
Delayed gastric conduit emptying (DGCE) is a recognized complication of esophagectomy which can lead to prolonged vomiting, aspiration, and reduced oral intake postoperatively. To minimize the risk of DGCE, some advocate the use of pyloroplasty, however the practice is varied and controversial. The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of pyloroplasty on DGCE in esophagectomy patients.
Methods:
Consecutive patients that underwent an esophagectomy for esophageal cancer from September 2011 to December 2020 were identified from a prospectively maintained departmental cancer database at our institution. The primary outcome measured was the need for pyloric intervention following esophagectomy. Secondary outcomes included cardiac complications, pulmonary complications, anastomotic leaks, and chyle leaks. For those who had contrast swallow tests done prior to discharge from the index admission, dilated conduit and delayed gastric emptying were also investigated.
Results:
Of 458 patients included in the study, 77(17%) underwent pyloroplasty. Of the 381 patients who underwent esophagectomy without pyloroplasty, 44 (12%) of these patients later required at least one pyloric dilatation. None of the patients who underwent pyloroplasty later required pyloric dilatation. On multivariate analysis, younger age, respiratory complications after esophagectomy and pyloroplasty were significant predictors of the need for pyloric dilatation. Pyloroplasty was not significantly related to dilated conduit or delayed emptying on contrast swallow with P value of 0.979 and 0.147, respectively.
Conclusions:
Pyloroplasty reduces the need for pyloric dilatation postoperatively. However, further research is required to investigate the nature of this relationship, specifically in terms of contrast swallow.