The effect of preventive use of corticosteroids on postoperative complications after esophagectomy: A retrospective cohort study

Abstract Background: Although corticosteroids were known to reduce acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) after esophagectomy, the efficacy of corticosteroid remains debatable. Moreover, the risk of anastomosis leakage or infection, which relates to the administration of corticosteroid is another concern. Therefore, we compared the incidence of composite complications between patients who received or not the preventive administration of corticosteroid in esophagectomy. Methods: All patients who underwent esophagectomy from 2010 to 2015 at a tertiary care university hospital, were reviewed in this retrospective study (n=1,041). Patients were divided into Steroid (n=120) and Control (n=860) groups based on the preventive administration of corticosteroid during surgery. The primary endpoint was the incidence of composite complications (acute respiratory distress syndrome, wound dehiscence, and infection). Comparison between the two groups was performed after adjustment of co-variables. Results: The incidence of composite complications was not different between Steroid and Control group (21.7% vs 17.4%, respectively; P=0.26). Incidence of complications in each category between Steroid and Control groups were not significantly different: acute respiratory distress syndrome (5.0% vs 3.8%; P=0.46), graft dehiscence (6.7% vs 4.8%; P=0.37), and infection (15.8% vs 12.8%; P=0.36). After propensity score matching, the difference between the groups was also not significant. In multivariable analysis, age, lower body mass index, diabetes mellitus and duration of operation were independent risk factors of composite complications. Additionally, intraoperative vasopressor was a risk factor of graft dehiscence (odds ratio, 2.06; 95% confidence interval, 1.03-4.12; P=0.0407). Conclusions: The preventive use of corticosteroid was not related to the incidence of composite complications after esophagectomy. Application of corticosteroid for prevention of acute respiratory distress syndrome is not recommended due to its lack of apparent benefit. Keywords: Acute respiratory distress syndrome, corticosteroid, esophagectomy.