Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of omentoplasty for the prevention of anastomotic leakage after oesophagectomy.

Methods: A systemic review of the Cochrane Library database CENTRAL, MEDLINE and EMBASE from inception to March 2014 was performed. Randomized controlled trials comparing omentoplasty with non-omentoplasty after oesophageal resection for a primary oncological indication were included. Meta-analysis was performed for anastomotic leakage, specific complication rates, in hospital mortality, local recurrence and duration of hospitalization. Data was reported as a Peto odds ratio (Peto OR), odds ratio (OR), weighted mean difference (WMD) or relative risk (RR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI).

Results: Three randomized controlled trials with a total of 633 anastamoses were included. The omentoplasty group demonstrated a significantly lower incidence of postoperative anastomotic leakage (Peto OR: 0.26; 95% CI 0.14 to 0.52), and reduced duration of hospitalization (WMD -2.13; 95% CI -3.57 to -0.69). There was no significant difference between the omentoplasty and non-omentoplasty groups in the incidence of anastomotic strictures (RR: 0.91, 95% CI: 0.33 to 2.57), hospital mortality (RR: 0.86, 95% CI: 0.29 to 2.51), pulmonary complications (RR: 0.90, 95% CI: 0.59 to 1.35) and recurrence after surgery (RR: 1.17, 95% CI: 0.95 to 1.43).

Conclusions: Omentoplasty may reduce the incidence of anastomotic leakage following oesophagectomy for oesophageal cancer.

Keywords: Anastomotic leakage; Meta-analysis; Oesophageal cancer; Omentoplasty.

Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.