title: [Comparative study on the quality of life in patients with prevertebral or retrosternal reconstruction after cervical tubular gastroesophagostomy].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To compare the quality of life in patients with prevertebral or retrosternal reconstruction after cervical tubular gastroesophagostomy.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 167 patients enrolled in this prospective study from July 2008 to June 2012 in Shantou Central Hospital, and divided into prevertebral route group(85 cases) and retrosternal route group(82 cases) according to the random number table method. Quality of life questionnaire was investigated 1, 3, 6, 9, and 12 months after operation respectively.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The incidence of anastomotic stenosis was lower in the prevertebral route group (P<0.05). However, the differences in perioperative general conditions between the two groups were not statistically significant(all P>0.05). One hundred and forty-nine patients completed the postoperative quality of life questionnaire. Dysphagia and swallowing retching symptom were better, while acid reflux and heartburn symptom were more serious in prevertebral route group as compared to retrosternal route group(all P<0.05). Overall quality of life score difference between the two groups was not statistically significant(P>0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  For digestive tract reconstruction after resection of esophageal cancer, tubular gastroesophagostomy by prevertebral or retrosternal route both can obtain better quality of life after surgery. Swallowing function after surgery of the former is superior to the latter, but the reflux symptoms is more serious. Therefore the two mehods have their own advantages and disadvantages, and the choice of route should be depended on clinical experience and patient condition.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Shantou Central Hospital, Affiliated Shantou Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangdong Shantou 515041, China. stlanbin@163.com.
authors.forename: Zhong-min
authors.initials: ZM
authors.lastname: Fang
authors.forename: Bin
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Lan
authors.forename: Tian-xiang
authors.initials: TX
authors.lastname: Zhu
authors.forename: Rui-xiong
authors.initials: RX
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Mu-ting
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Yan-long
authors.initials: YL
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.forename: Shu
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Chen-sheng
authors.initials: CS
authors.lastname: Ma
authors.forename: Xu-long
authors.initials: XL
authors.lastname: Qiu
mesh_terms: D003680:Deglutition Disorders; D013505:Digestive System Surgical Procedures; D004938:Esophageal Neoplasms; D016629:Esophagectomy; D005743:Gastrectomy; D006801:Humans; D011184:Postoperative Period; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011788:Quality of Life; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures