Risk Factors for Weight Loss 1 Year After Esophagectomy and Gastric Pull-up for Esophageal Cancer

Background: Loss of body weight is regarded as a marker of malnutrition after esophagectomy. This study investigated changes in body weight and risk factors for weight loss after esophagectomy for esophageal cancer. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed records of 181 patients who underwent esophagectomy and gastric pull-up from 2012 to June 2016. Patients with operative mortality and recurrences were excluded. Percent change in body weight was defined as change in body weight (%) = (1-year body weight − preoperative body weight) × 100/preoperative body weight. Results: Mean age of patients was 62.98 ± 8.23 years with 164 men (90.6%). Mean preoperative body weight was 63.12 ± 9.42 kg, and body weight at 1 year was 56.04 ± 8.59 kg. Mean change in body weight was − 10.95 ± 7.50%, and 98 (54.1%) patients showed weight loss more than 10% compared to initial body weight. Univariable analysis showed that initial body weight, narrow gastric tube, thoracotomy, laparotomy, and postoperative vocal cord palsy (VCP) were related to more than 10% weight loss. Multivariable analysis showed that initial body weight (odds ratio [OR] = 1.041, p = 0.031) and postoperative VCP (OR = 2.772, p = 0.025) were adverse risk factors for weight loss 1 year after esophagectomy, whereas conduit type, route of reconstruction, postoperative complications, anastomotic complications, minimally invasive esophagectomy, and adjuvant therapy were not. Conclusions: Initial body weight and postoperative VCP were related to weight loss. Patients with VCP need additional nutritional monitoring and support.