Objective:

To evaluate the transition from hand-sewn (HS) to circular stapled (CS) techniques for cervical esophagogastric anastomosis after minimally invasive esophagectomy and assess short-term surgical outcomes.

Approach:

• Endpoints: Primary endpoints included anastomotic leak (AL) and stricture incidence; secondary endpoints included postoperative complications, length of hospital stay (LOS), and time until oral intake resumed.

Key Findings:

• The study found differences in the incidence of anastomotic leaks and strictures between HS and CS techniques.
• CS techniques were associated with shorter operative times and potentially improved recovery metrics.

Interpretation:

The findings suggest that transitioning to a standardized CS approach may lead to predictable short-term outcomes in cervical esophagogastric anastomosis.

Limitations:

• The study was retrospective and did not include a power calculation.
• Exclusion of patients with benign esophageal conditions or rare histologies may limit generalizability.

Conclusion:

The transition from HS to CS techniques for cervical anastomosis in minimally invasive esophagectomy may enhance surgical outcomes.