title: Technique of esophagojejunostomy using transoral placement of the pretilted anvil head after laparoscopic gastrectomy for gastric cancer.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  During esophagojejunostomy using a circular stapler after laparoscopy-assisted gastrectomy, placement of the anvil head via the transabdominal approach proved difficult. The authors report on a method modified for laparoscopy-assisted, esophagojejunostomy performed by placing the pretilted anvil head via the transoral approach.
  
  
  METHODS
  Between November 2007 and December 2008, esophagojejunostomy was performed using the transoral, pretilted anvil head in 27 patients after laparoscopy-assisted gastrectomy. The anesthesiologist introduced the anvil while observing its passage through the pharynx. During the anastomosis, we kept the jejunum fixed in position with a silicone band Lig-A-Loops, thereby preventing the intestine from slipping off the shaft of the stapler.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Esophagojejunal anastomosis using the transoral anvil head was achieved successfully in 26 patients; for 1 patient, passage of the anvil head was difficult owing to esophageal stenosis. No other complications, such as hypopharyngeal perforation and/or esophageal mucosal injury, occurred during passage. No postoperative complications occurred, except for 1 patient who developed anastomotic stenosis, in whom mild relief was achieved using a bougie.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Esophagojejunostomy using the transoral pretilted anvil head is a simple and safe technique.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Kitasato University School of Medicine, 2-1-1 Asamizodai, Sagamihara, Kanagawa 228-8520, Japan. sakura@med.kitasato-u.ac.jp
authors.forename: Shinichi
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sakuramoto
authors.forename: Shiro
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kikuchi
authors.forename: Nobue
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Futawatari
authors.forename: Hiromitsu
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Moriya
authors.forename: Natsuya
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Katada
authors.forename: Keishi
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Yamashita
authors.forename: Masahiko
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Watanabe
mesh_terms: D000714:Anastomosis, Surgical / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D004946:Esophagostomy / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D004947:Esophagus / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D005743:Gastrectomy / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D007582:Jejunostomy / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D007583:Jejunum / Q000601:surgery; D010535:Laparoscopy / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010614:Pharynx; D013274:Stomach Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D017792:Surgical Stapling / Q000379:methods