Statements in which the resource exists as a subject.
PredicateObject
rdf:type
lifeskim:mentions
pubmed:issue
2
pubmed:dateCreated
1988-3-21
pubmed:abstractText
Transthoracic esophagogastrectomy is a safe operation. Mechanical staplers and a cervical anastomosis have been emphasized to avoid catastrophic consequences of anastomotic leaks in the chest. Transhiatal esophagectomy has been proposed to bring the anastomosis into the neck. It is meant to be a palliative procedure and consequently denies the patient the best chance for surgical cure. The emphasis should be on anastomotic technique and sound principles of surgical oncology. Since 1980, we have performed 104 esophagectomies for carcinoma of the esophagus. We used a left thoracoabdominal incision for distal tumors (64) and the Ivor Lewis technique (40) for more proximal tumors. A two-layer inverting interrupted silk suture technique was used for all anastomoses. More than 90% of the procedures were performed by resident staff. The operative mortality was 2.9% (3 patients). There were no anastomotic leaks. Five patients required between one dilation and three dilations postoperatively. A positive smoking history was present in 83 patients and substantial alcohol use, in 33. Median estimated blood loss was 500 ml, and 60% of patients required no transfusions. Major complications included pneumonia (12 patients) and reexploration for bleeding (2). Minor complications included atelectasis (71 patients), atrial fibrillation (9), ventricular arrhythmias (9), urinary tract infection (3), and wound infection (2). Squamous cancer was present in 31 patients and adenocarcinoma, in 73. Positive lymph node metastases were present in 75%. Anastomotic recurrence was documented in 6 patients. Standard techniques of esophagogastrectomy and a two-layer anastomosis will give excellent results with low mortality and acceptable morbidity.
pubmed:language
eng
pubmed:journal
pubmed:citationSubset
AIM
pubmed:status
MEDLINE
pubmed:month
Feb
pubmed:issn
0003-4975
pubmed:author
pubmed:issnType
Print
pubmed:volume
45
pubmed:owner
NLM
pubmed:authorsComplete
Y
pubmed:pagination
137-43
pubmed:dateRevised
2004-11-17
pubmed:meshHeading
pubmed:year
1988
pubmed:articleTitle
Transthoracic esophagectomy: a safe approach to carcinoma of the esophagus.
pubmed:affiliation
General Thoracic Surgical Unit, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston 02114.
pubmed:publicationType
Journal Article