Outcome after transthoracic resection of carcinoma of the oesophagus and oesophago-gastric junction.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the postoperative morbidity and mortality, length of stay and long-term survival after resection of carcinoma of the oesophagus and gastro-oesophageal junction, after establishment of a new surgical team unit between thoracic and gastroenterologic surgeons.


METHODS
We analysed the prospective collected data of 166 consecutive patients who underwent a transthoracic oesophageal resection between June 1997 and December 2003.


RESULTS
There were 119 men and 47 women. The median age was 63 years (range 36-81). Fifty-five patients (33%) had squamous cell carcinoma and 111 (67%) had adenocarcinoma. Postoperative complications occurred in a total of 60 patients (36%). Ten patients (6%) died postoperatively, eight (4.8%) due to medical and two (1.2 %) due to surgical complications. The median postoperative length of stay was 11 days (range 6-75). The overall 3- and 5- years survival was 35.6% and 30.6% respectively. Survival was adversely affected by patient age and tumor stage.


CONCLUSIONS
Concentrating resection for carcinoma of the oesophagus and oesophagogastric junction to a dedicated team of specialists, including both gastrointestinal and thoracic surgeons as well as thoracic-anaesthesiological know-how, results in acceptable complication rates as well as low mortality rates especially due to surgical complications.
Jensen
L S
LS
Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark. lonej@dadlnet.dk
Pilegaard
H K
HK
Puho
E
E
Pahle
E
E
Melsen
N C
NC
D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000401:mortality; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000401:mortality; D004938:Esophageal Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000401:mortality; D016629:Esophagectomy / Q000401:mortality*; D004943:Esophagogastric Junction; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007902:Length of Stay; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016019:Survival Analysis; D019616:Thoracic Surgical Procedures / Q000401:mortality; D016896:Treatment Outcome