A technique for gastroplasty as a substitute for the esophagus: fundus rotation gastroplasty.
BACKGROUND
A new method of gastroplasty for the intrathoracic esophagus is described that requires resection of a small part of the gastric corpus only. All tributaries of the arterial arcade along the lesser curvature are preserved.


RESULTS
The resulting gastric tube has three advantages over conventional techniques: an increase in length of the resulting gastric tube; an increase of blood flow at the tip of the gastric tube, where the anastomosis with the cervical esophagus is performed; and an increase of the gastric reservoir.


METHODS
Prospective clinical trial.


CONCLUSIONS
The new technique described appears to be a safe method to substitute for the intrathoracic esophagus, although oncologic radicality and long-term follow-up results after esophagectomy for carcinoma need to be evaluated.
Buchler
M W
MW
Department of Visceral and Transplant Surgery, University of Bern, Inselspital, Switzerland.
Baer
H U
HU
Seiler
C
C
Schilling
M
M
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000714:Anastomosis, Surgical / Q000379:methods; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000601:surgery; D004938:Esophageal Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery; D016629:Esophagectomy; D004944:Esophagoplasty / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D005748:Gastric Fundus / Q000601:surgery; D015391:Gastroplasty / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008833:Microcirculation; D008875:Middle Aged; D010610:Pharyngeal Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013270:Stomach / Q000098:blood supply