Abstract

Transhiatal esophagectomy is a popular method of resection because of its reported lower morbidity and mortality and similar survival rates compared to transthoracic esophagectomy. A review of recent experience with these two procedures for resection of distal esophageal and cardia adenocarcinoma is reported. From 1988 to 1994, 48 patients with adenocarcinoma of the distal esophagus and gastric cardia were resected with intent to cure, 32 by transhiatal esophagectomy (group 1) and 16 by transthoracic esophagectomy (group II). The two groups were comparable in terms of patient demographics, preoperative risk factors, tumor stage, tumor differentiation, and involvement of resection margins (all not significant [NS]). There was no significant difference in median intensive care unit stay, median hospital stay, incidence of postoperative anastomotic leak, and stricture. Respiratory complications were higher in group I (41% versus 6%, P = 0.01). Hospital mortality was not significantly different for the two groups (group I 3.1% versus group II 0%, NS). Actuarial 5-year survival rates (Kaplan-Meier) were 12% for group I and 39% for group II (NS). These results suggest that when compared with transhiatal esophagectomy, the transthoracic approach is at least as safe, has comparable complication and survival rates, and remains an acceptable procedure for resection of adenocarcinomas of the distal esophagus and gastric cardia.

Talk to us

Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have

Schedule a call

Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.