Intrathoracic anastomotic leakage after gastroesophageal cancer resection is associated with reduced long-term survival.

Background: Most likely because of low statistical power, no previous studies have shown any significant association between long-term survival and anastomotic leakage in patients who have undergone gastroesophageal cancer resection.

Material And Methods: The present study included, prospectively and consecutively, nationwide collected patients who underwent gastroesophageal cancer resection between 2003 and 2011 in Denmark. The operation was carried out as an Ivor Lewis procedure.