title: Using the supercharge technique to additionally revascularize the gastric tube after a subtotal esophagectomy for esophageal cancer.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Maintaining sufficient blood flow to the gastric tube after a subtotal esophagectomy for esophageal cancer is crucial for decreasing esophagogastric anastomotic leakage.
  
  
  METHODS
  After subtotal esophagectomy for esophageal cancer, the supercharge technique was performed in 21 esophageal reconstruction patients to additionally revascularize the gastric tube using the splenic artery and vein, external carotid artery, and internal jugular vein. Operative results of the supercharge group were retrospectively compared with those of the control group (patients not receiving the technique).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Both operation time and operative blood loss in the supercharge group were significantly longer and larger than those of the control group. However, the incidence of anastomotic leakage was significantly lower in the supercharge group than in the control group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This practical supercharge technique reduces leakage during esophageal anastomosis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Ibaraki Prefectural Central Hospital and Cancer Center, 6528 Koibuchi, Tomobe-machi, Ibaraki 309-1793, Japan. f-yoshimi@chubyoin.pref.ibaraki.jp
authors.forename: Fuyo
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Yoshimi
authors.forename: Yuji
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Asato
authors.forename: Shigeo
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ikeda
authors.forename: Kojun
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Okamoto
authors.forename: Yasuhiro
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Komuro
authors.forename: Johji
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Imura
authors.forename: Masayuki
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Itabashi
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D004938:Esophageal Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D016629:Esophagectomy; D004944:Esophagoplasty / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies