Comparison of the modified Collard and hand‐sewn anastomosis for cervical esophagogastric anastomosis after esophagectomy in esophageal cancer patients: A propensity score‐matched analysis

BACKGROUND: Several studies have reported that modified Collard anastomosis is useful for cervical anastomosis after esophagectomy for thoracic esophageal cancer. However, no large‐scale study has confirmed the efficacy of the modified Collard anastomosis. METHODS: Between 2008 and 2016, 398 consecutive esophageal cancer patients who underwent esophagectomy and cervical anastomosis were enrolled in this study. Patients with a short remnant cervical esophagus were excluded. We investigated the utility of the modified Collard anastomosis by comparing the results of postoperative complications using a propensity score‐matched analysis between the hand‐sewn method (HS) and the modified Collard anastomosis (MC) for esophagogastric anastomosis of the neck after esophagectomy in thoracic esophageal cancer patients. RESULTS: Of the 398 patients, 127 were included in the MC group and 127 were included in the HS group after propensity score matching. Clinical characteristics did not differ between the two groups. Frequency of anastomotic leakage tended to be lower in the MC group than in the HS group (3% vs. 7%, P = 0.127). Frequency of anastomotic stenosis was significantly lower in the MC group than in the HS group (13% vs. 59%, P < 0.001). Multivariate logic analysis showed that anastomotic technique (HS) and performance status were independent factors associated with anastomotic stenosis (odds ratio, 12.24 and 2.52; P‐value <0.001 and 0.047, respectively). CONCLUSION: In cervical esophagogastric anastomosis after esophagectomy, the modified Collard anastomosis is more suitable than hand‐sewn anastomosis in terms of reducing the frequency of anastomotic stenosis.