Curative resection for adenocarcinoma of the gastro-esophageal junction following neo-adjuvant chemotherapy—thoraco-abdominal vs. trans-abdominal approach

Purpose This study compares the short- and long-term outcomes between the left thoraco-abdominal and trans-abdominal approaches for radical resection of adenocarcinoma of the gastro-esophageal junction (GEJ) (Siewert types II and III) following neo-adjuvant chemotherapy. Methods A retrospective analysis of a prospectively maintained database of patients from May 2008 to December 2016. Demographic variables, perioperative outcomes, and survival were compared between two approaches. Results Of the 792 patients, who underwent total/proximal gastrectomy during the specified time interval, 162 had Siewert’s type II/III lesions, of which 147 received neoadjuvant chemotherapy and were included in the study. Ninety-two and 55 patients underwent definitive surgery through trans-abdominal and left thoraco-abdominal approach respectively. On baseline endoscopy, 81.8% of patients in the left thoraco-abdominal group had lower esophageal mucosal infiltration as compared to 41.3% in the trans-abdominal group ( p < 0.001). Both groups were comparable in terms of duration of surgery, blood loss, complications, severity of complications (Clavien-Dindo grade), duration of hospital stay, R0 resection rate, length of proximal margin, and lymph node yield. At a median follow-up of 24 months, there was no difference in recurrence rate and survival between the groups. Conclusion Both left thoraco-abdominal and trans-abdominal are comparable surgical approaches for tumors involving the GEJ in terms of morbidity, perioperative, and long-term oncological outcomes. In patients with lower esophageal involvement, the left thoraco-abdominal approach is a feasible alternative with no added overall morbidity or mortality and can be preferred especially in cases, where a safe proximal margin and anastomosis is deemed technically challenging.