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Insights in work rehabilitation after minimally invasive esophagectomy

  • 2018 SAGES Oral
  • Published:
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Abstract

Background

Little is known about work rehabilitation after totally minimally invasive esophagectomy. The goal of this study was to further objectify the postoperative work rehabilitation. Not only duration of sick leave, but also the extent of return to work will be assessed.

Methods

This retrospective multicenter study was conveyed between January 2009 and April 2014. Eighty-six preoperatively employed patients were included. Data regarding patients’ preoperative occupation, actual job status, and postoperative duration until return to work were retrieved. Potential prognostic factors for work rehabilitation were analyzed. Complaints that could impede rehabilitation were questioned (based on EORTC QLQ-C30 and QLQ-OES18). Work activity, defined as either partially or fully resumed professional activity as compared to the preoperative status, was measured at 3, 6, 12, and 18 months postoperatively.

Results

At 6-month follow-up, 40.2% of patients reached partial and 14.6% had full professional recovery and after 12 months 28.2% and 40.8%, respectively. After 18 months, a stagnation was seen (19.0% partial; 43.1% full recovery). Median follow-up was 18 months (IQR 12–18). Self-employment was a significant predictor for full professional recovery (p = 0.005, OR 2.45 95% CI 1.32–4.56). The median time to full professional recovery was shorter for this group. The most common complaint among all patients was fatigue. This complaint did not significantly differ between working (fully and partially) and non-working groups (p = 0.727).

Conclusions

Only approximately 40% of patients reached full professional recovery 1 year after totally minimally invasive esophagectomy. Barely any progression toward return to work was seen after 1 year postoperatively. Roughly 30% of patients never returned to work. Self-employed workers had a higher percentage of restoration to full professional activity, as well as shorter duration to return. These findings highlight the importance of adequate counseling of patients in order to prepare them for the impact of this procedure on professional activities.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Surgery, Hospital Group Twente, Almelo, The Netherlands

    Melissa Geeraerts, Luis Carlos Silva Corten, Marc van Det, Marloes Vermeer & Ewout Kouwenhoven

  2. Department of Surgery, Catharina Hospital, Eindhoven, The Netherlands

    Misha Luyer & Grard Nieuwenhuijzen

  3. Department of Surgery, University Medical Centre, Utrecht, The Netherlands

    Jelle Ruurda & Richard van Hillegersberg

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  1. Melissa Geeraerts
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  2. Luis Carlos Silva Corten
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  3. Marc van Det
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  5. Grard Nieuwenhuijzen
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Correspondence to Melissa Geeraerts.

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Melissa Geeraerts, Luis Carlos Silva Corten, Marc van Det, Misha Luyer, Grard Nieuwenhuijzen, Marloes Vermeer, Jelle Ruurda, Richard van Hillegersberg, and Ewout Kouwenhoven have no conflict of interest or financial ties to disclose.

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Geeraerts, M., Silva Corten, L.C., van Det, M. et al. Insights in work rehabilitation after minimally invasive esophagectomy. Surg Endosc 33, 3457–3463 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00464-018-06626-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00464-018-06626-5

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