Background: Esophageal carcinoma is the 8th most common malignant tumour in the world
with more than 600 000 cases (3.1% of all), while being the 6th most common reason
of tumour mortality, causing more than 500 000 deaths (5.5% of all) annually. The
1, 3 and 5 year-prevalence are 2.4%, 1.6% and 1.3% respectively. The question of this
meta-analysis is whether pyloric drainage is preferable over the lack of pyloric drainage
during elective esophagectomies in patients suffering from esophageal cancer, regarding
mortality, anastomosis leakage, respiratory morbidity, vomiting, gastric emptying
time. Methods: We plan to identify randomized controlled trials to investigate the
question by performing extensive search in multiple databases. Based on of predefined
criteria, two independent authors will perform the steps of selection, after which
appropriate statistical analysis will be performed to identify potential significant
differences. Cochrane Risk of Bias Tool 2, and GRADE approach will be used to estimate
the risk of bias and quality of results. Dissemination plans: We plan to distribute
our results in peer-reviewed journal.
