Complete mechanical cervical anastomosis using a narrow gastric tube after esophagectomy for cancer.

OBJECTIVE: Fibrous stenosis of the esophagogastric cervical anastomosis remains a significant complication occurring in up to one-third of cases. Trying to reduce the incidence of this complication, we describe our technique of cervical esophagogastric anastomosis using endoscopic linear stapler which seems to reduce the incidence of fibrous stricture formation after resection of esophageal cancer. METHODS: Between March 2000 and June 2003, 26 patients (15 males and 11 females) underwent esophagectomy using tubulized stomach for reconstruction. Cervical esophagogastric anastomosis using linear endoscopic stapler was performed in all cases. The occurrence of post-operative anastomotic leak and development of anastomotic stricture were recorded and analyzed. RESULTS: All patients survived esophagectomy and were available for post-operative follow-up. Anastomotic leak developed in one case. No patient developed fibrous stenosis that required dilatation therapy. CONCLUSION: Complete mechanical esophagogastric anastomosis, using endoscopic linear stapler is effective and safe, even when a narrow gastric tube is used as esophageal substitute. This technique seems superior to other techniques to reduce the incidence of post-operative anastomotic complications.     

Utility of total mechanical stapled cervical esophagogastric anastomosis after esophagectomy: a comparison to conventional anastomotic techniques

BACKGROUND: Cervical esophagogastric anastomosis after esophagectomy is often troubled with anastomotic leak resulting in local sepsis, postoperative stricture, and prolonged hospitalization. We compared the anastomotic outcomes and clinical course of esophagectomy patients undergoing total mechanical stapled esophagogastric anastomosis versus a partial handsewn/mechanical stapled cervical anastomotic technique. METHODS: One hundred eighty-one patients underwent transhiatal (N=146) or 3-field (abdomen/chest/neck incisions) (N=35) esophagectomy. A total mechanical stapled anastomosis was accomplished in 125 patients. A handsewn/mechanical stapled anastomosis was performed in 56 patients. The total mechanical stapled anastomosis was accomplished by using the endoscopic gastrointestinal stapler to construct the posterolateral aspect and a linear stapler to close the anterior aspect of the anastomosis. Total mechanical stapled anastomosis patients had the endoscopic gastrointestinal stapler also used to divide the left gastric vessels and the short gastric mesentery for gastric mobilization. Anastomotic outcomes were analyzed by the leak rate (contrast study) and the need of serial dilations in each group. CONCLUSIONS: Total mechanical stapled technique after esophagectomy with cervical esophagogastric anastomosis appears to be effective in reducing hospitalization and anastomotic complications compared to partial or complete handsewn techniques. Liberal use of endoscopic staplers might shorten operative time. Esophageal surgeons should be aware of the advantages and become skilled with these techniques.     

Eliminating the cervical esophagogastric anastomotic leak with a side-to-side stapled anastomosis

BACKGROUND: Although the acute postoperative complications of a cervical esophagogastric anastomosis are less than those with an intrathoracic esophageal anastomosis, the long-term sequelae of a cervical anastomotic leak are not as minor as initially reported. Nearly 50% of cervical anastomotic leaks result in an anastomotic stricture, and the subsequent need for chronic dilatations negates the merits of an operation intended to restore comfortable swallowing. OBJECTIVE: This study was undertaken to determine whether construction of a side-to-side stapled cervical esophagogastric anastomosis after transhiatal esophagectomy could reliably eliminate the majority of anastomotic leaks. METHODS: In 114 consecutive patients undergoing transhiatal esophagectomy, a functional side-to-side cervical esophagogastric anastomosis was constructed with the Auto Suture Endo-GIA II stapler (United States Surgical Corporation, Auto Suture Company Division, Norwalk, Conn) applied directly through the cervical wound. This side-to-side stapled anastomosis has 3 rows of staples. Early postoperative anastomotic morbidity, subsequent need for anastomotic dilatations, and patient satisfaction with swallowing were evaluated. RESULTS: Before the side-to-side stapled anastomosis, the incidence of cervical esophagogastric anastomosis leak in over 1000 patients undergoing transhiatal esophagectomy having a manually sewn anastomosis varied from 10% to 15%. Among the 111 survivors of transhiatal esophagectomy and a side-to-side stapled anastomosis, there were 3 (2.7%) clinically significant anastomotic leaks. This lowered incidence of leaks has contributed to reduction in the average length of stay after an uncomplicated transhiatal esophagectomy to 7 days and has provided more comfortable swallowing, ease of subsequent esophageal dilatations, and greater patient satisfaction. CONCLUSIONS: Construction of the cervical esophagogastric anastomosis with a side-to-side stapled anastomosis greatly reduces the frequency of anastomotic leaks and later strictures. The side-to-side stapled anastomosis is a major technical advance in the progression of refinements of transhiatal esophagectomy and a cervical esophagogastric anastomosis.     

Experience and technique of stapled mechanical cervical esophagogastric anastomosis

BACKGROUND: Anastomotic leak from cervical esophagogastric anastomoses is a serious problem after esophagectomy. We explored the efficacy of partial or total mechanical anastomoses accomplished with the endoscopic linear cutting and stapling device as an alternative to hand-sewn anastomotic techniques. METHODS: During a 42-month period, 93 patients undergoing either transhiatal esophagectomy or a three-incisional approach to esophagectomy underwent either hand-sewn (n = 43), partial mechanical (n = 16), or totally mechanical (n = 34) cervical esophagogastric anastomoses. The occurrence of postoperative anastomotic leak and the development of postoperative anastomotic stricturing requiring dilation therapy were analyzed between these groups using chi2. RESULTS: All patients survived esophagectomy and were available for postoperative follow-up. Anastomotic leak developed in 10 patients (23%) with hand-sewn, 1 patient (6%) with partial mechanical, and 1 patient (3%) with total mechanical anastomoses (p < 0.05). Anastomotic stricture development paralleled the occurrence of anastomotic leak rate with 25 patients (58%) with hand-sewn, 3 patients (19%) with partial mechanical, and 6 patients (18%) with total mechanical anastomoses experiencing strictures requiring dilation therapy (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that partial or mechanical cervical esophagogastric anastomoses created with the endoscopic stapling device may be superior to hand-sewn anastomotic techniques.     

Minimizing cervical esophageal anastomotic complications by a modified technique

BACKGROUND: The anastomotic leak and stricture formation after esophagectomy and cervical esophagogastric anastomosis deny patients with esophageal carcinoma the benefits of surgery. The present study was designed to ascertain whether a wide cross-sectional area at the site of anastomosis leads to lesser anastomotic complications. METHODS: One hundred patients with resectable carcinoma of the esophagus were randomly distributed into two groups of 50 each. All patients underwent one-stage transhiatal esophagectomy. In group A, 3 x 2 cm gastric crescent was excised from the anterior wall of the gastric tube before constructing the cervical esophagogastric anastomosis. No such intervention was done in group B, which acted as control. All patients were followed up for at least 3 months for detection of anastomotic complications. RESULTS: The incidence of anastomotic leak in the study group was significantly less in comparison with the control group (4.3% versus 20.8%; P = 0.03). Similarly, anastomotic stricture formation was significantly lower in the study group (8.5% versus 29.2%; P = 0.02). CONCLUSIONS: A wide cross-sectional area achieved at the anastomotic site by removal of gastric crescent resulted in significantly lower anastomotic complications.     

Collare Anastomosenstenosen nach Magenhochzug beim Ösophaguskarzinom

Common late complications after esophagectomy and gastric tube reconstruction for esophageal carcinoma are symptomatic, benign fibrotic stenoses of the cervical anastomosis, which require dilatation. Since the prognosis of esophageal carcinoma still remains poor, bad functional results such as dysphagia affect quality of life. In a retrospective analysis, our patients were evaluated with regard to the underlying effects of cervical anastomotic stenosis after esophagectomy and gastric tube reconstruction. From 1 January 1989 to 31 July 1995, 173 patients with carcinoma of the esophagus were operated in our institution. Transhiatal esophageal dissection was performed in 133 patients; 40 patients underwent transthoracic en bloc resection. The 30-day mortality rate was 7.5% (13 patients). Postoperative fibrotic stenosis of the cervical anastomosis requiring dilatation occurred in 36.4% (63 patients) 6–12 weeks after operation. Fibrotic stenosis of the cervical anastomosis did not develop in 97 patients. There was a significant difference concerning the incidence of anastomotic leaks within both groups: whereas in 23.8% of the 63 patients who developed a fibrotic stricture of the cervical anastomosis an anastomotic leak preceded this event (P<0.001), no anastomotic leak occurred in the group of 97 patients with normal healing of the cervical anastomosis. In addition, significantly (P<0.01) more patients (37.5%,n=23) with preexisting diabetes mellitus could be found among the 63 patients who developed a fibrotic stricture of the cervical anastomosis, in contrast to the 97 patients without anastomotic stenosis.     

Double-stapled esophagogastric anastomosis for resection of esophagogastric or cardia cancer: new application for an old technique.

In colorectal surgery, the double-stapled technique is used extensively, because it is a fairly safe and simple procedure and is useful in relatively inaccessible areas. For these reasons, we adapted the procedure to the upper gastrointestinal tract. The present study reports our first experiences of the surgical efficacy using an esophagogastric double-stapled end-to-end anastomosis for subtotal esophagectomy and cardia resection. We retrospectively studied 31 patients treated between January 1991 and January 1997 with respect to hospital mortality, anastomotic leakage, cancer recurrence, and benign stricture rate. No hospital mortality was seen. One nonfatal anastomotic leak occurred (3%). In three patients, esophageal resection was not radical (10%). Of the remaining 28 patients, one had an anastomotic cancer recurrence (4%). Eleven of the remaining 27 patients (41%) developed a benign anastomotic stricture. All achieved normal swallowing after a median of two endoscopic dilatation procedures using TTS balloons. In conclusion, the double-stapled end-to-end anastomosis technique after resection for esophagogastric or cardia cancer is a simple and expeditious procedure, carrying an acceptable perioperative morbidity and cancer recurrence rate. Larger staplers are recommended to lower the high stricture rate observed after the usage of a 21-mm stapler in this study.     

Clinical Application of Layered Anastomosis During Esophagogastrostomy

The aim of this study was to compare the operative results in regard to reducing anastomotic leakage and stricture formation using a newly designed layered manual esophagogastric anastomosis versus a stapler esophagogastrostomy versus the conventional hand-sewn whole-layer anastomosis after resection for esophageal or gastric cardiac carcinoma. From January 2004 to September 2006, a total of 1024 patients with esophageal or gastric cardia carcinoma underwent a layered esophagogastric anastomosis with the assistance of a three-leaf clipper in a single university medical center. The mucosal layers of the esophagus and stomach were sutured continuously with 4/0 Vicryl plus antibacterial suture (polyglyconate). From May 2002 to December 2003, there were also 170 patients and 69 patients who underwent stapler and conventional whole-layer anastomosis, respectively; they served as control groups. The results were analyzed retrospectively. The operative mortality rate was 0.7% in the layered group compared to 5.9% and 7.2% for the stapler group and the whole-layer group (p < 0.01), The anastomotic leakage rates were 0%, 3.5%, and 5.8% for the layered group, stapler group, and whole-layer group, respectively (p < 0.01). All patients were followed postoperatively. Six patients in the layered group (0.6%) developed mild stricture formation compared to 16 patients in stapled group (9.9%) and 5 patients in the conventional whole-layer group (7.8%) (p < 0.01). The application of layered esophagogastric anastomosis could reduce the incidence of anastomotic leakage and stricture after esophagectomy compared with the stapler and whole-layer manual anastomoses. It is easy to apply and could be used as an alternative for esophagogastric anastomosis after resection for esophageal or cardiac carcinoma. This abstract was accepted as a free paper and oral presentation at International Surgical Week 2007, Abstract 320, Montreal, Canada, August 2007     

应用消化道吻合器在食管胃颈部吻合的体会

１９８８年１０月至１９９５年２月应用消化道吻合器对１８８例食管癌切除后病人行颈部吻合，并以机械吻合方法代替传统手工操作。吻合无失败者。术后吻合口瘘发生率１６％（３／１８８），吻合口狭窄２１％（４／１８８）。无吻合口出血，无手术死亡病例。作者认为，颈部机械吻合方法操作简单，易于掌握，吻合可靠，缩短了手术时间，减少了术后并发症的发生。     

食管胃套接术与器械吻合术治疗食管、贲门癌的对比研究

目的对比食管胃套接术与器械吻合术的临床治疗效果,以减少食管、贲门癌根治术后并发症的发生率. 方法将285例诊断明确的食管、贲门癌住院患者按入院顺序随机分为两组,食管胃套接组(套接组)134例,采用食管癌切除食管瓣片成形-食管胃套接术;器械吻合组(吻合组)151例,采用食管癌切除器械吻合术.术后观察吻合口瘘、吻合口狭窄和胃食管反流并发症的发生率,并随访观察3年. 结果套接组术后吻合口瘘、吻合口狭窄和胃食管反流的发生率分别为0%、2.2%和1.5%,而吻合组为1.3%、13.9%和21.2%(P<0.01). 结论食管瓣片成形-食管胃套接术术后并发症少、操作简单,较器械吻合具有一定的优越性.     

全腔镜食管癌三野根治术颈部机械吻合与手工吻合的应用比较

目的：评估全腔镜食管癌三野根治术食管胃颈部吻合方式（机械或手工）对术后吻合口相关并发症发生的影响。方法回顾性分析2010年1月至2013年11月间在福建省肿瘤医院胸外科接受全腔镜食管癌三野根治术治疗的203例食管癌患者的临床资料。根据颈部吻合方式的不同,分为机械吻合组（104例）和手工吻合组（99例）。比较两组患者术后吻合口相关并发症发生率。结果机械吻合组术中吻合时间较手工吻合组明显缩短[（15．5±5．0） min比（28．0±4．5） min,P＜0．01]。两组术后吻合口瘘发生率分别为5．8％（6/104）和3．0％（3/99）,差异无统计学意义（P＞0．05）;吻合口狭窄发生率分别为9．6％（10/104）和2．0％（2/99）,差异有统计学意义（P＜0．05）。结论与手工吻合相比,全腔镜食管癌三野根治术食管胃颈部机械吻合操作简单、吻合确切,但吻合口狭窄的风险增加,因此,在临床实践中,应结合患者的具体情况合理选择吻合方式。     

颈部三角吻合术在微创食管切除术中的应用

目的：评价三角吻合术在微创食管切除、食管胃颈部吻合术中应用的安全性和有效性。方法回顾性分析2013年1月至2014年3月在复旦大学附属中山医院胸外科接受胸腹腔镜食管癌根治切除加食管胃颈部吻合术的137例患者的临床资料,其中三角吻合77例（三角吻合组）,管状吻合60例（管状吻合组）。结果三角吻合组和管状吻合组术中吻合时间分别为（18．0±3．9） min 和（17．0±2．9） min,差异无统计学意义（P＝0．099）;术后吻合口瘘发生率分别为3．9％（3/77）和10．0％（6/60）,差异无统计学差异（P＝0．152）;吻合口狭窄发生率分别为1．3％（1/77）和15．0％（9/60）,差异有统计学意义（P＝0．002）。两组患者在围手术期死亡率、心血管并发症、肺部并发症等方面的差异均无统计学意义（P＞0．05）。结论颈部三角吻合术是一种安全、有效的吻合方法,可以降低术后吻合口狭窄的发生。     

Cervical esophago-visceral anastomosis with an endoscopic linear stapler. Note on a surgical technique

The incidence of anastomotic fistula in the neck after esophagectomy and esophagogastroplasty may be as high as 30%; the incidence of anastomotic stenosis may be as high as 10%. To avoid these potential and sometimes serious complications, the authors describe a partially mechanical esophago-visceral anastomosis. The esophageal stump is brought near the anterior wall of the transposed stomach. A small gastrotomy is performed. An endoscopic linear stapler is then inserted in the esophageal and gastric lumen, and fired. The anterior wall of the anastomosis is fashioned with a running suture.     

Endoscopic and symptomatic assessment of anastomotic strictures following esophagectomy and cervical esophagogastrostomy

BACKGROUND: Dysphagia following esophagectomy with cervical esophagogastric anastomosis is common and often can be attributed to anastomotic stricture. The prevalence, risk factors, symptomatic and endoscopic severity, and response to dilation of such strictures, however, are poorly defined. METHODS: In the present study the population consisted of 42 patients undergoing esophagectomy with gastric pull-up and cervical anastomosis. Any complaint of postoperative dysphagia was investigated with upper endoscopy. Patients undergoing endoscopy were entered into a prospective randomized trial of graduated balloon versus bougie-over-a-guidewire dilation that will be part of a future report. Dysphagia was assigned a standardized severity score, and stricture diameter pre-dilation was classified as minimal (>12 mm), mild (9-12 mm), moderate (5-8 mm), or severe (<5 mm). Outcome measures included the incidence, time to first dilation, symptomatic and endoscopic severity of anastomotic strictures, number of dilations, and influence of co-morbidities and anastomotic technique on stricture occurrence. RESULTS: Twenty-seven of 41 (66%) surviving patients underwent endoscopy and dilation. Median time to presentation was 2.4 months (min, 27 days; max, 11 months). Most patients (63%) with stricture complained of dysphagia with every meal. The majority (93%) of strictures were mild to moderate (5-12 mm), and there was no correlation between dysphagia frequency and stricture size. Tolerance of an unrestricted diet decreased with increasing stricture severity. In all, 98 dilation sessions were performed without complication. A higher stricture rate was noted following handsewn anastomoses as compared to combined stapled and handsewn anastomoses (85.7% versus 55.5%; p = 0.044). CONCLUSIONS: Most patients with symptomatic anastomotic strictures following esophagectomy with cervical esophagogastrostomy present within the first few months following surgery. Half of such strictures are minimal to mild as endoscopically assessed. Dilation is safe, and most patients experience symptomatic relief after only a few dilation sessions. A combined handsewn and stapled anastomosis may decrease the risk of stricture formation relative to a two-layer handsewn technique.     

Comparison of manual and mechanical cervical esophagogastric anastomosis after esophageal resection for squamous cell carcinoma: a prospective randomized controlled trial

Objective: The use of a circular stapler in cervical esophagogastric anastomosis remains controversial. This study was to compare the postoperative and long-term results of manual and mechanical techniques for cervical esophagogastric anastomosis after resection for squamous cell carcinoma. Methods: A prospective randomized controlled trial was undertaken in 63 patients with curatively resectable squamous cell cancer of the thoracic esophagus between 1996 and 1999. Patients were randomized to receive either a hand-sewn (32 patients) or circular stapled (31 patients) cervical esophagogastric anastomosis. Results: The mean operating time was longer when the hand-sewn method was used (524 vs. 447 min, P<0.001). Anastomotic leakage was noted in seven patients (22%) in the hand-sewn group and eight patients (26%) in the stapler group (P=NS). Hospital mortality occurred in four patients (13%) of the hand-sewn group and in three patients (10%) of the stapler group (P=NS). After the operation, four patients (14%) in the hand-sewn group and five patients (18%) in the stapler group developed a benign esophageal stricture (P=NS). The mean follow-up time was 24 months, and the rates of freedom from benign stricture and survival were comparable in each group. Conclusions: Performing cervical esophagogastric anastomoses using a circular mechanical stapler had a shorter operating time and a comparable outcome to the hand-sewn method. The circular mechanical stapler could be used as an alternative for cervical esophagogastric anastomosis after resection for esophageal squamous cell cancer.     

高龄食管癌患者术后胸膜腔胃与胸骨后胃对肺功能影响的临床观察

目的探讨高龄食管癌患者术后胸膜腔胃与胸骨后胃对肺功能的影响。方法选取沈阳医学院附属奉天医院2009年2月至2011年5月收治的62岁以上中上段食管癌患者40例,根据手术方式不同分成胸膜腔胃组和胸骨后胃组。胸膜腔胃组20例,男16例、女4例,年龄62~79（64.70±11.47）岁,胃从胸膜腔路径行颈部吻合;胸骨后胃组20例,男17例、女3例,年龄63~77（65.90±12.72）岁,胃从胸骨后路径行颈部吻合。两组患者术前、术后15 d及术后30 d进行肺功能测定,比较呼吸功能变化情况。结果两组患者术前肺功能水平差异无统计学意义（P〉0.05）。胸膜腔胃组术后15 d及30 d肺功能较术前显著下降（P〈0.05）,胸骨后胃组术后15 d及30 d肺功能水平与术前比较差异无统计学意义（P〉0.05）。胸骨后胃组术后15 d及30 d肺功能水平显著高于胸膜腔胃组（P〈0.05）。术后并发症包括胸膜腔组吻合口瘘1例,吻合口狭窄1例,肺内感染5例,肺不张1例,胸骨后胃组出现吻合口瘘1例,吻合口狭窄1例,幽门梗阻1例,肺部感染3例。随访1年两组患者呼吸方面症状与术后30 d比较无明显变化（P〉0.05）。结论胸膜腔胃对肺功能有明显影响,而胸骨后胃对肺功能影响较小,适合高龄及肺功能差的患者,可以减少术后并发症的发生,提高患者的生活质量。     

Esophagogastric anastomosis performed with a stapler: the occurrence of leakage and stricture

The circular stapler has lowered the leakage rate of an esophageal anastomosis to a level hitherto achieved by only a few surgeons performing hand anastomosis on selected patients with carcinoma of the esophagus. However, the esophageal anastomosis performed with a stapler is also associated with a high stricture rate. Our prospective study was conducted to determine the leakage rate and the incidence of stricture after esophagogastric anastomosis was performed with a stapler, the relationship of stricture to the size of the stapler, and the risk of stricture in relation to time. In a group of 174 patients with carcinoma of the thoracic esophagus, resection was performed, and a one-stage esophagogastric anastomosis was constructed. There were 33 hand anastomoses, 64 anastomoses with an EEA stapler (U.S. Surgical Corp., Norwalk, Conn.), and 77 anastomoses with an ILS stapler (Ethicon Ltd., Edinburgh, U.K.). The anastomotic leakage rate was 3.4% (6/174); 3% with the hand technique and 3.5% with the stapler technique (4.7% for the EEA and 2.6% for the ILS). After leakages and hospital deaths were excluded, 133 discharged patients were evaluated for the occurrence of anastomotic strictures. Only those who complained of dysphagia were investigated. The incidence of stricture for hand anastomosis was 8.7%-EEA 20% and ILS 10%; the overall incidence of anastomoses with a stapler was 14.5%. The true incidence would probably be higher if all patients were assessed by endoscopic or radiologic examination after operation. All three sizes of EEA staplers had a high incidence of stricture. For the ILS stapler the 25 mm size had the highest stricture rate (28.6%) of all groups, but for the 29 and 33 mm sizes, the incidences were 5.3% and 0%, respectively. Actuarial analysis showed an increasing risk of stricture with a reduction in the size of stapler used and was 32.5% and 35%, respectively, for the ILS 25 mm and EEA 25 mm staplers at 131/2 months. The risk of stricture occurrence was highest in the first 4 months. Treatment by bougienage was satisfactory. In conclusion, esophagogastric anastomosis performed with a stapler is a very safe procedure with respect to leakage but is associated with a high risk of stricture, except when the largest ILS staplers are used. However, dilatation readily overcomes the stricture occurrence and adequately compensates for the reduced leakage rate and its attendant serious consequences.     

Cervical esophagogastric anastomosis with a new stapler in the surgery of esophageal carcinoma.

OBJECTIVE: A new reusable circular stapler for cervical esophagogastric anastomosis (CEGA) has been used to substitute the traditional method of hand-sewn cervical anastomosis. METHODS: Over a 2-year period (09/1998-11/2000), the stapler was engaged on operations of 112 patients with thoracic esophageal carcinoma, and the anastomosis was performed through both cervical and thoracic incision. The operative approaches were through left thoracotomy in 85 cases, and through right thoracotomy in 27 cases. The results were analyzed retrospectively. RESULTS: All of the 112 CEGA operations were successfully performed on the patients who underwent esophageal resections, and no operative mortality and anastomotic leakage occurred. Excluding the two patients with the anastomotic recurrent carcinoma, anastomotic stricture occurred in 12 cases (10.9%, n=110). Median time to the presentation of anastomotic stricture was 4.3 months (range 2.6-25.3 months), and the median number of dilatations was 3 (range 1-5). When divided into the 24 and 26 mm groups, the respective incidences of stricture were 12.3 (7/57) and 9.4% (5/53), respectively, and the statistical results of the two sizes of staplers were essentially the same (P=0.6691). Eight patients experienced nonanastomotic-related complications (7.3%, n=110), in which there were three cases of recurrent laryngeal nerve injury, four cases of the left side pneumothorax, and one case of perforation of the proximal stomach. There was also a case of stapling gauze at anastomosis. Some of the complications were closely related to the initially improper use of the new stapler's craft. CONCLUSIONS: The results indicate that CEGA using the new circular stapling device in surgery of the esophageal carcinoma is a very effective procedure to improve the anastomotic technique from a traditional hand-sewn anastomosis to a stapled anastomosis and can reduce the incidence of complications.     

A new instrument for insertion of anvil head for circular stapled anastomosis]

Difficulty associated with the insertion of the anvil head into the esophageal stump, caused by narrowing of the cervical esophagus, is a big problem for staple anastomosis during esophageal reconstruction. Postoperative cervical stricture also has been a major complication of esophagogastric anastomosis using a circular stapler. The stricture results from esophageal laceration caused by the anvil insertion. To avoid these complications, we designed a new retractor with triple-flap arms, which spreads out in a concentric circle from 20 mm to 35 mm in diameter. This instrument is useful for gently expanding the cervical esophagus without lacerations, and facilitates an anvil insertion into the stump of esophagus. In the 8 patients in whom this instrument was applied for dilation, none of the patients suffered from any stricture. Our clinical result indicates the usefulness of this new instrument for avoiding esophageal laceration and preventing stricture of esophageal anastomosis performed by circular stapler.