Pneumonia after esophagectomy: a systematic review on definition heterogeneity.

In 30 seconds

This systematic review examined the definitions of postoperative pneumonia following esophagectomy across 1128 studies published from 2000 to 2024. It found that 57.9% of studies did not report a definition, while only 16.6% used a formal definition. The review highlights the need for standardized definitions to improve outcome comparability.

Key findings

• 57.9% of studies did not report a definition for postoperative pneumonia.
• Only 16.6% of studies applied a formal definition of pneumonia.
• The ECCG definition has become the most frequently used formal definition in recent years.
• Self-derived definitions included 320 unique criteria, with 74.3% combining clinical and imaging criteria.

Why it matters

Standardized definitions of postoperative pneumonia are crucial for improving the comparability of research outcomes. This can lead to better understanding and management of complications following esophagectomy, ultimately enhancing patient care.