Utility of routine oral contrast study for detecting postesophagectomy anastomotic leak - a systematic review and meta-analysis

Abstract

Oral contrast studies are used to detect anastomotic leak (AL) postesophagectomy. However, recent evidence suggests oral contrast studies have low sensitivity in detecting ALs, and their false positive results can lead to unnecessary prolonged hospital stay. The objective of this study was to determine if oral contrast studies should be used routinely post-esophagectomy for cancer. A systematic literature search was conducted for studies published between January 1990 and June 2018. Data extracted for analyses included type of esophagectomy, operative morbidity (such as AL and pneumonia), mortality rates, timing of contrast study, and type of oral contrast used. The sensitivity, specificity,..