title: Simple pyloroplasty using a linear stapler in surgery for esophageal cancer.
abstract: This article describes a simple pyloroplasty procedure using a linear stapler in surgery for esophageal cancer. Simple pyloroplasty was carried out using a linear stapler in a total of 22 patients, whose stomachs were used as esophageal substitutes in the surgery for esophageal cancer. Endoscopy was performed and the pyloric diameter was measured perioperatively. A barium meal study was conducted 1 month after the surgery. Stapling enlarged the diameter of the pylorus by nearly 10 %. Endoscopy revealed a smooth inner surface of the pylorus, enlargement of pyloric channel, and fewer spasms of the pylorus at the 1-month follow-up. Postoperative barium meal studies showed good patency of all of the patients' gastric outlets. Simple pyloroplasty is a time-saving and non-soiling technique used to perform the drainage of the gastric conduit for resection of esophageal cancer.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Tainan Municipal Hospital, 670 Chung-Te Rd, Tainan 701, Taiwan, ROC. m2201@mail.ncku.edu.tw
authors.forename: Ming-Ho
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.forename: Hsing-Hsien
authors.initials: HH
authors.lastname: Wu
mesh_terms: D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000601:surgery*; D004322:Drainage / Q000379:methods; D004938:Esophageal Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D016629:Esophagectomy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D005774:Gastrostomy / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D007813:Laparotomy / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D011708:Pylorus / Q000601:surgery*; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D013528:Surgical Staplers; D017792:Surgical Stapling / Q000379:methods*