1. Surgical Techniques to Prevent Delayed Gastric Emptying After Esophagectomy With Gastric Interposition: A Systematic Review 
Ronald D.L. Akkerman, BS, Leonie Haverkamp, MD, Richard van Hillegersberg, MD, PhD, Jelle P. Ruurda, MD, PhD 
The Annals of Thoracic Surgery 
Volume 98, Issue 4, Pages (October 2014)
DOI: /j.athoracsur
Copyright © 2014 The Society of Thoracic Surgeons Terms and Conditions

2. Fig 1
Flowchart search. A total of 50 studies were included in this review. Some studies were allocated to multiple subgroups. After critical appraisal, 30 studies were selected for further analysis. (DGE = delayed gastric emptying; RCT = randomized controlled trial.)
The Annals of Thoracic Surgery  , DOI: ( /j.athoracsur )
Copyright © 2014 The Society of Thoracic Surgeons Terms and Conditions

3. Fig 2
Gastric tube versus whole stomach. The application of a gastric tube is associated with a lower risk of developing delayed gastric emptying after esophagectomy compared to the whole stomach reconstruction (relative risk, 0.34; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.12 to 0.97).
The Annals of Thoracic Surgery  , DOI: ( /j.athoracsur )
Copyright © 2014 The Society of Thoracic Surgeons Terms and Conditions

4. Fig 3
Pyloric drainage versus no drainage. Pyloric drainage is not significantly associated with the risk of developing delayed gastric emptying after esophagectomy (relative risk, 0.91; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.57 to 1.43). The number of events in the study of Palmes et al. were calculated using a percentage bar graph.
The Annals of Thoracic Surgery  , DOI: ( /j.athoracsur )
Copyright © 2014 The Society of Thoracic Surgeons Terms and Conditions