Analysis of surgical volume and short-term outcomes for upper gastrointestinal cancer post-COVID-19: Evidence from a nationwide Japanese database

Aim

Previous studies indicated that short-term outcomes for gastroenterological surgeries did not worsen during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, it remains unclear whether surgical volumes and medical resource use have recovered postpandemic. This study examines pre- and postpandemic trends in upper gastrointestinal surgeries, including esophagectomy and gastrectomy, and their short-term outcomes.

Methods

Data from the Japan's National Clinical Database (NCD) were analyzed for patients who underwent esophagectomy for esophageal cancer and gastrectomy for gastric cancer between January 2018 and December 2023. We evaluated changes in surgical volume, intensive care unit (ICU) use, morbidity, mortality rates, and the standardized morbidity and mortality ratio (SMR)—a comparison of observed versus expected outcomes using an NCD-established risk calculator. Key metrics included 30d mortality, surgical mortality, and four major morbidities like pneumonia and anastomotic leakage.

Results

Esophagectomy volumes remained stable from 2018 to 2023, while gastrectomy volumes decreased notably over the past 6 y. The proportion of patients over 70 increased significantly in both surgery types. Morbidity and mortality rates showed no significant deterioration postpandemic, as indicated by SMR values.

Conclusions

This study analyzed changes in surgical volume and short-term outcomes for upper gastrointestinal cancer in the post-COVID-19 era using a Japanese nationwide database. It found that surgical treatments for gastrectomy and esophagectomy remained safe even after the pandemic.