Severity of oEsophageal Anastomotic Leak in patients after oesophagectomy: the SEAL score

TENTACLE-Esophagus Collaborative Group, Sander Ubels, Moniek H.P. Verstegen, Bastiaan R. Klarenbeek, Jari V. Räsänen, Juha Kauppi, Henna Söderström

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleScientificpeer-review

Abstract

Background: Anastomotic leak (AL) is a common but severe complication after oesophagectomy. It is unknown how to determine the severity of AL objectively at diagnosis. Determining leak severity may guide treatment decisions and improve future research. This study aimed to identify leak-related prognostic factors for mortality, and to develop a Severity of oEsophageal Anastomotic Leak (SEAL) score. Methods: This international, retrospective cohort study in 71 centres worldwide included patients with AL after oesophagectomy between 2011 and 2019. The primary endpoint was 90-day mortality. Leak-related prognostic factors were identified after adjusting for confounders and were included in multivariable logistic regression to develop the SEAL score. Four classes of leak severity (mild, moderate, severe, and critical) were defined based on the risk of 90-day mortality, and the score was validated internally. Results: Some 1509 patients with AL were included and the 90-day mortality rate was 11.7 per cent. Twelve leak-related prognostic factors were included in the SEAL score. The score showed good calibration and discrimination (c-index 0.77, 95 per cent c.i. 0.73 to 0.81). Higher classes of leak severity graded by the SEAL score were associated with a significant increase in duration of ICU stay, healing time, Comprehensive Complication Index score, and Esophagectomy Complications Consensus Group classification. Conclusion: The SEAL score grades leak severity into four classes by combining 12 leak-related predictors and can be used to the assess severity of AL after oesophagectomy.

Original languageEnglish
JournalBritish Journal of Surgery
Volume109
Issue number9
Pages (from-to)864-871
Number of pages8
ISSN0007-1323
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Sept 2022
MoE publication typeA1 Journal article-refereed

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2022 The Author(s). Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of BJS Society Ltd.

Fields of Science

  • 3126 Surgery, anesthesiology, intensive care, radiology

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