Comparison of right- and left-approach esophagectomy for elderly patients with operable thoracic esophageal squamous cell carcinoma: a propensity matched study.

BACKGROUND

the right- and left-approach open esophagectomies remain the general procedures among patients with operable thoracic esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). The choice between the two approaches for elderly patients is controversial.

METHODS

we performed a 1:1 propensity score matching (PSM) analysis to compare the impact of right- and left-approach esophagectomies on survival and perioperative complications of elderly ESCC patients. Patients aged over 70 receiving esophagectomy to treat the thoracic ESCC were retrospectively retrieved.

RESULTS

a total of 276 patients were included in the study. Among them, 75 (27.2%) patients received right-approach esophagectomy. After match, 114 patients (57 pairs) undertook right or left-approach esophagectomy displayed no difference among clinicopathological characteristics. Both the overall survival (54.6% 32.6%, P=0.036) and disease-free survival (52.7% 20.2%, P=0.021) were significant better in right-approach group, along with better lymph node resection, and lower incidence of recurrence. However, increased incidences of postoperative pneumonia (P=0.040), respiratory failure (P=0.028), and sub-clinical anastomotic leak (P=0.032) were found in right-approach group as well, although the perioperative mortality was similar between groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Right-approach esophagectomy should be accepted as a preferential surgical approach for elderly patients with ESCC.