title: Decompressive tube esophagostomy: a forgotten palliative procedure?
abstract: Many patients with complete, irreversible upper gastrointestinal (GI) tract obstruction will require decompression for relief of intractable nausea and vomiting. Nasogastric (NG) tubes are associated with patient discomfort and risk. Gastrostomy tubes may not be technically feasible in a small subset of patients with advanced upper GI tract malignancy. Decompressive tube esophagostomy is an underutilized, minimally invasive alternative in such patients. We present a case report, a description of the procedure, and a review of the literature for this palliative procedure.
authors.affiliation: Division of Surgical Oncology, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada. lloydmack@cancerboard.ab.ca
authors.forename: Lloyd A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Mack
authors.forename: Jose
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Pereira
authors.forename: Walley J
authors.initials: WJ
authors.lastname: Temple
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D004946:Esophagostomy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D017219:Gastric Outlet Obstruction / Q000150:complications / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D019060:Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures; D009325:Nausea / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D010166:Palliative Care / Q000379:methods*; D014839:Vomiting / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control