title: Transhiatal oesophagectomy: techniques, tips and outcomes.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To demonstrate our technique and valuable tips for transhiatal oesophagectomies.
  
  
  METHODS
  215 patients underwent transhiatal oesophagectomies in our unit between 2000 and 2006.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In-hospital mortality was 0.9%. Anastomotic leak in 12 patients (5.6%). Chyle leak was seen in five patients and recurrent nerve neuropraxia in six patients. Iatrogenic splenectomy rate was 6%. The median operative time was 151 minutes (range 93-276 minutes). Overall median length of hospital stay was 15 days (range 8-95 days). The median survival for all patients undergoing transhiatal oesophagectomy for invasive malignancy was 42.9 months and the one-year and five-year survival were 81% and 48% respectively.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This is a safe and oncologically sound procedure. We feel that the tips can be helpful for anyone performing this procedure.
authors.affiliation: Department of General Surgery, Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust, St Thomas' Hospital, London, UK.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Rohatgi
authors.forename: M J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Forshaw
authors.forename: R P
authors.initials: RP
authors.lastname: Sutcliffe
authors.forename: D C
authors.initials: DC
authors.lastname: Strauss
authors.forename: R C
authors.initials: RC
authors.lastname: Mason
mesh_terms: D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000601:surgery*; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000714:Anastomosis, Surgical / Q000379:methods; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000601:surgery; D004210:Dissection / Q000379:methods; D004938:Esophageal Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D016629:Esophagectomy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D013536:Suture Techniques; D016896:Treatment Outcome