Transhiatal oesophagectomy: treatment of choice for high-grade dysplasia.
OBJECTIVE
To demonstrate that transhiatal oesophagectomy should remain the gold standard treatment for patients with high-grade dysplasia.


BACKGROUND
The conventional management of high-grade dysplasia of the oesophagus is surgery. Perceived high incidence of operative morbidity and mortality associated with oesophagectomy has led some to advocate alternative less invasive treatments such as endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR) and photodynamic therapy (PDT). We present our data on the use of transhiatal oesophagectomy for the management of high-grade dysplasia.


METHODS
Twenty-three patients underwent transhiatal oesophagectomy for biopsy-proven high-grade dysplasia in a high volume centre, between March 2000 and December 2006. Twenty-two were male and 1 female with a mean age of 63.5 years (+/- 6.5). Staging was ascertained by gastroscopy, EUS and CT. Two patients had PET CT. ASA grade was I (2), II (14), III (6) and IV (1).


RESULTS
Clinical anastomotic leak occurred in two patients (9%); this was managed conservatively. Four patients required intensive care admission. Occult adenocarcinoma was found in 35% (8/23) of surgical specimens; there were no involved nodes present. No re-operations were required. Median length of stay was 15 days (10-69). Thirty-day and in-hospital mortality was zero. There was one case of locally recurrent disease, and one death meaning that disease-free survival was 96%, and overall survival was 96% (22/23) at a mean follow-up of 35.4 months.


CONCLUSIONS
Transhiatal oesophagectomy for high-grade dysplasia can be performed with acceptable mortality and morbidity when performed at a specialist centre.
Mirnezami
Reza
R
Department of Surgery, St Thomas' Hospital, Westminster Bridge Road, London SE1 7EH, UK. reza_mirnezami@yahoo.com
Rohatgi
Ashish
A
Sutcliffe
Robert P
RP
Hamouda
Ahmed
A
Mason
Robert C
RC
D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000601:surgery; D000368:Aged; D001471:Barrett Esophagus / Q000601:surgery*; D004938:Esophageal Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D016629:Esophagectomy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007902:Length of Stay; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011230:Precancerous Conditions / Q000601:surgery*; D012189:Retrospective Studies