Abstract
Objective
The objective of this study is to investigate the impact of ketorolac and other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs on anastomotic leakage after surgery for gastro-esophageal-junction cancer.
Summary Background Data
Within the last two decades, the incidence of gastro-esophageal-junction cancer has increased in the western world and surgery is the curative treatment modality of choice. Anastomotic leakage is a feared complication of gastro-esophageal surgery, as it increases recurrence, morbidity, and mortality. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are widely used for postoperative pain relief. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs have, however, in colorectal surgery, been shown to increase the risk of anastomotic leakage.
Method
In a historical cohort study, we investigated the impact of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs on anastomotic leakage in 557 patients undergoing surgery for gastro-esophageal-junction cancer. Data were collected from a prospective maintained database, the Danish National Patient Registry, and patient medical records. Data were analyzed using univariate and multivariate statistical models and were stratified for theoretical confounders.
Results
In univariate analysis, we did not observe any difference in age, gender, tobacco exposure, or comorbidity status between patients experiencing anastomotic leakage and those without. In multivariate analysis, gender, histology, and type of anastomosis proved to affect odds ratios for anastomotic leakage. After adjustment for possible confounders, we found an odds ratio of 6.05 (95% confidence interval 2.71; 13.5) for ketorolac use and of 5.24 (95% confidence interval 1.85; 14.8) for use of other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs for anastomotic leakage during the first seven postoperative days.
Conclusion
In the present study, we found a strong association between the postoperative use of ketorolac and other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and the risk for anastomotic leakage after surgery for gastro-esophageal-junction cancers.
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Acknowledgements
We are grateful for the funding of this work provided by the Danish Cancer Society and Aage and Johanne Louis-Hansen’s Foundation.
Funding
The Danish Cancer Society and Aage and Johanne Louis-Hansen’s Foundation supported this work.
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Kaare Terp Fjederholt: Study design, manuscript draft, data analysis, and critical revision
Cecilie Okholm: Data collection and critical revision
Lars Bo Svendsen: Study design, data collection, and critical revision
Michael Patrick Achiam: Data collection and critical revision
Jakob Kirkegård: Critical revision
Frank Viborg Mortensen: Study design, manuscript draft, and critical revision
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Fjederholt, K.T., Okholm, C., Svendsen, L.B. et al. Ketorolac and Other NSAIDs Increase the Risk of Anastomotic Leakage After Surgery for GEJ Cancers: a Cohort Study of 557 Patients. J Gastrointest Surg 22, 587–594 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11605-017-3623-7
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11605-017-3623-7