title: [How safe is high intrathoracic esophagogastrostomy?].
abstract: The surgical results of transthoracic en bloc esophagectomy and high intrathoracic esophagogastrostomy performed on 109 consecutive patients are presented. Adenocarcinoma was present in 59 patients, squamous cell carcinoma in 45 patients, and other neoplastic lesions of the esophagus in 5 patients: 29.5% of the patients received neoadjuvant radiochemotherapy or chemotherapy alone. In 35% of the patients, the preoperative risk was classified as normal, whereas in 42% and 23% of the patients the preoperative status was compromised or severely impaired, respectively. On average 33 lymph nodes were dissected from each specimen. The postoperative course was uneventful in 60% of the patients and prolonged or severe in 40% of the patients. The hospital mortality was 5.5% (six patients). Nine patients (8.2%) developed anastomotic leakage. Six of these nine patients were discharged after rethoracotomy and reanastomosis ( n=3) or endoscopic treatment with fibrin glue ( n=3). Three patients died despite rethoracotomy and reanastomosis. Only 2 of 103 discharged patients (1.9%) underwent postoperative endoscopic bougienage two or three times because of an anastomotic stenosis. High intrathoracic esophagogastrostomy is a safe anastomosis, which nevertheless requires diligent postoperative management.
authors.affiliation: Klinik und Poliklinik für Visceral- und Gefässchirurgie der Universität zu Köln, Cologne. Arnulf.Hoelscher@medizin.uni-koeln.de
authors.forename: A H
authors.initials: AH
authors.lastname: Hölscher
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Schröder
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Bollschweiler
authors.forename: K T E
authors.initials: KT
authors.lastname: Beckurts
authors.forename: P M
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: Schneider
mesh_terms: D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000401:mortality / Q000532:radiotherapy / Q000601:surgery*; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000714:Anastomosis, Surgical; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000401:mortality / Q000532:radiotherapy / Q000601:surgery*; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D004724:Endoscopy; D004938:Esophageal Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000401:mortality / Q000532:radiotherapy / Q000601:surgery*; D016629:Esophagectomy; D004947:Esophagus / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D017052:Hospital Mortality; D006801:Humans; D008197:Lymph Node Excision; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020360:Neoadjuvant Therapy; D011182:Postoperative Care; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D011879:Radiotherapy Dosage; D018714:Radiotherapy, Adjuvant; D012086:Reoperation; D012307:Risk Factors; D013270:Stomach / Q000601:surgery*; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents