Risk Factors for Esophagectomy Following Interventions for Benign Esophageal Disease

Patient selection: benign esophageal disease having some form of endoscopic intervention (varices not listed in Figure 1)

Risk factors for rapid progression to esophagectomy:

(1) initial esophageal intervention at age >= 18 years

(2) acquired esophageal disease (vs congenital, see below)

(3) history of fundoplication

(4) several repeat interventions (page 893, conclusion)

Acquired esophageal conditions prompting the intervention:

(1) achalasia

(2) gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)

(3) trauma

(4) hiatal hernia

(5) benign tumor

Complications of esophagectomy:

(1) chylothorax

(2) anastomotic leak

(3) reoperation

(4) death

A patient needs to be informed about the risk for esophagectomy prior to an intervention. A patient with risk factors for esophagectomy following an endocscopic intervention may be better off having a definitive procedure performed,