SynthesisUpdates in surgery2026
Stapled vs. hand-sewn anastomosis during esophagectomy: a randomized trials systematic review and meta-analysis.
Synthesis in Updates in surgery, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.
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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
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Who cites it
1 citing paper in PubMed.
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Authors and funding
9 authors.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
introductionEsophagogastric anastomosis during esophagectomy is a technically demanding step, carrying a high complication rate. Numerous techniques for anastomosis fashioning have been described, including hand-sewn (HS) and stapled (ST) anastomosis however, the optimal method remains uncertain. PURPOSE: Analyse short-term outcomes for ST vs. HS anastomosis.
methodsSystematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs). PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Cochrane Central Library, and ClinicalTrials.gov were queried. Primary outcomes were anastomotic leak (AL) and stricture (AS).
resultsTwelve RCTs (2015 patients) were included. All trials were deemed to have an intermediate risk of bias. ST anastomosis was performed in 51.9%. The age of the patient population ranged from 37 to 88 years and 73% were males. Squamous cell carcinoma was diagnosed in 76.9% of patients. Neoadjuvant therapy was completed in 32.9%. Ivor-Lewis or McKeown esophagectomy were performed with thoracic (57.2%) or cervical (42.8%) anastomosis. No significant differences were found for ST vs. HS anastomosis for AL (RR 0.97; 95% CI 0.70-1.35) and AS (RR 1.47; 95% CI 0.96-2.23). Further, no differences were found for cardiovascular complications (RR 1.09; p = 0.59), pulmonary complication (RR 1.12; p = 0.28), length of stay (SMD 0.03; p = 0.69), and 30-day mortality (RR 1.30; p = 0.18). Operative time was shorter in ST anastomosis (SMD - 0.11; p = 0.002).
conclusionsST and HS esophagogastric anastomosis yield comparable rates of AL, AS, postoperative complications, and in-hospital mortality. The use of ST anastomosis may result in a shorter operative time. The choice of technique should be determined by the surgeon's expertise and clinical scenario.
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