Esophageal extirpation with one-stage esophagoplasty

In the period from 1980 to June, 1989 the authors conducted operations on 128 patients for extirpation of the esophagus with one-stage esophagoplasty by means of an isoperistaltic tube formed from the greater curvature of the stomach. Fifty-four of these patients had benign esophageal strictures, 74 had malignant lesions of the esophagus. The authors claim this operation to be the operation of choice in carcinoma of the lower third of the esophagus and in carcinoma of the cardia extending to the thoracic esophagus. It may be carried out in carcinoma of the thoracic esophagus at any level, in benign strictures of the thoracic esophagus, and in stage IV cardiospasm in patients in whom operations had been performed earlier on the cardia. The abdominocervical approach can be supplemented by right thoracotomy in carcinoma of the midthoracic part of the esophagus. Four patients (3%) died after the operation. The authors recommend wider use of the operation.     

Choice of the method in the surgical treatment of cancer of the thoracic part of the esophagus

The optimal approaches to the choice of the surgical treatment of carcinoma of the thoracic esophagus are discussed from analysis of 425 operations. Louis' operation providing for a convenient approach for a rather high resection of the esophagus with one-stage esophagogastric anastomosis is recommended in localization of the tumor in the inferior third of the esophagus. Garlock's operation is indicated only in low localization of the carcinoma (diaphragmatic and supradiaphragmatic segments). In carcinoma of the middle third of the esophagus Dobromyslov-Torek's operation is indicated only for elderly and debilitated patients; in the remaining cases a one-stage intervention (Louis' operation) is recommended. An original modification of esophagogastric anastomosis is suggested.     

Reconstructive surgery of the esophagus in patients with combined chemical burns of the esophagus and stomach

The article generalizes the experience in the treatment of 317 patients with burns of the esophagus and stomach, 140 of them underwent restorative operations on the esophagus. The indications for the choice of the restorative operations are determined by the character of the burn and the condition of the patient's organism before the accident. Retrosternal plastics of the esophagus with the colon is the operation of choice in this group of patients. The elaboration of rational therapeutic tactics, improvement of preoperative management, and the introduction of effective methods of treatment into practice with the use of microsurgical and laser techniques improved considerably the results of restorative operations on the esophagus in patients with combined burn pathology.     

Diagnosis and treatment of iatrogenic and criminal injuries of the esophagus

An experience with treatment of iatrogenic and criminal traumas of the esophagus included 57 patients. There were 36 patients with iatrogenic traumas (perforation of the esophagus during diagnostic and curative manipulations and operations on the lungs and esophagus). Different kinds of operations were made depending on the localization of the injury. Three patients of this group died. Criminal traumas of the esophagus (wounds with cold steel) were treated in 21 patients, sutures on the esophagus were put in 19 of them, drainage--in 2 patients. All the patients recovered. Better results of treatment of the penetrating iatrogenic and criminal injuries of the esophagus can be achieved by timely diagnosis and operation using the proper volume and method.     

Garlock's operation in cancer of the esophagus

Experience in 88 Garlock-type operations carried out in carcinoma of the esophagus allows a certain opinion to be formed on the advantages and shortcomings of this surgical intervention. In esophageal carcinoma with its proximal boundary within the range of the retropericardial segment of the esophagus, a left abdominothoracic approach (Garlock's operation) is adequate in resection of the esophagus in conformity with the oncological principles and allows the formation of the esophagogastric anastomosis at the level of the arch of the aorta without particular technical difficulties. Reduction of the time needed for the operation, determination of the resectability of the esophageal tumor before mobilization of the stomach are obvious advantages of the abdominothoracic approach.     

Resectional operations and long-term results in carcinoma of the esophagus

The 5 year survival rate after resectional operations for carcinoma of the esophagus is still very low. Many factors have been identified as contributing to these poor long-term results. The main factor found in this study, comprising 102 patients undergoing resection out of 125 patients operated upon during a 10 year period, was nonradical resection. The main cause of nonradical resection was invasion of the tumor into the mediastinum, which was observed in 80% of the patients. In 43 of the 102 patients undergoing resection, the penetration of the carcinoma into the tissue surrounding the esophagus was observed only histologically. Thirty-three of the 38 hospital survivors in this group died within 2 years of the operation of recurrence of carcinoma. Fourteen of 17 survivors after resectional operations in whom the tumor growth was still limited to the esophagus were alive from 2 to 9 years (mean 6 years) after the operation, without evidence of recurrence.     

Indications and results of non-shunting operations for esophageal varices

Non-shunting operations were performed in 522 patients with esophagogastric varices in our department from January 1964 to March 1989. Transthoracoabdominal esophageal transection was performed in 287 patients (devascularization of the distal esophagus and the proximal half of the stomach and transection of the esophagus). Transthoracic esophageal transection was performed in 125 patients (31 Walker's transection, 94 esophageal transection with devascularization of distal esophagus). Transabdominal esophageal transection was performed in 49 patients. Hassab's operation was performed in 49 patients and three patients were treated with other direct operations (proximal gastrectomy, etc.) Overall mortality of non-shunting operation was 5.0%. The five year survival of idiopathic portal hypertension was 77.6%, extrahepatic portal obstruction was 90.7% and liver cirrhosis was 63.1%. Five year survival of Child's grade A was 79.8%, Child's grade B was 72.9% and Child's grade C was 38.6%. Operation on Child's C patients should be avoided since the results in these patients have been unsatisfactory. Our overall results with esophageal transection over the last two decades are satisfactory.     

Esophageal carcinoma following bariatric procedures.

BACKGROUND: The long-term success of bariatric operations for weight reduction has been well documented, but their potential effects on the risk of esophageal cancer have not been evaluated. METHODS: We performed operations on 3 patients for esophageal cancer following bariatric operations: 2 had Roux-en-Y gastric bypass, and 1 underwent vertical banded gastroplasty. All of these patients had adenocarcinoma at the gastroesophageal junction; 1 involved the entire intrathoracic esophagus. RESULTS: The intervals between the weight-loss operations and cancer diagnoses were 21, 16, and 14 years. All 3 patients had symptoms of reflux for many years before dysphagia developed and cancer was diagnosed. We performed a limited esophagogastrectomy, a classic Ivor-Lewis procedure, and a total esophagectomy with jejunal free-tissue transfer from stomach to cervical esophagus. Two patients had positive lymph nodes. One patient is alive at 6 years; 2 died at 13 and 15 months after undergoing operation for recurrent cancer. CONCLUSION: The effect of bariatric operations on gastroesophageal reflux is not known, although gastric bypass has been advocated as the "ultimate antireflux procedure." The presence of esophageal cancer in these 3 patients years after the weight loss operation is worrisome. We believe that patients who develop new symptoms should have endoscopic evaluation and that epidemiologic studies on the incidence of esophageal cancer occurring years after bariatric operation should be performed.     

Results of esophagocardioplasty with gastric patch in the treatment of esophageal achalasia

Since 1968 esophagocardioplasty with gastric patch was employed in 57 patients as a primary operation for achalasia of the esophagus and eight patients with previous operations for achalasia. Satisfactory results were obtained in follow-up studies up to eight years. The results indicate that this procedure is successful in dilating the lower part of the esophagus and esophagocardiac junction without interfering with their proper functions. This provides better passage through the junction with preservation of the mechanism which prevents reflux.     

Effect of antireflux operation on Barrett's mucosa

Regression of Barrett's epithelium after antireflux operations remains a controversial topic. We evaluated the effect of antireflux procedures in patients with Barrett's esophagus on the regression of columnar epithelium and dysplasia and its potential protective effect on the subsequent development of carcinoma. Of the 241 patients with Barrett's esophagus treated at the Lahey Clinic from 1973 to 1989, 37 patients underwent an antireflux operation. Regression was defined as histological evidence of regenerating squamous mucosa that completely or partially replaced the columnar epithelium. Improvement in lower esophageal sphincter pressure to 12 mm Hg or greater occurred in 19 of 26 patients (73%) who had perioperative manometry. Symptomatic relief of esophagitis occurred in 34 of 37 patients (92%). Four patients had partial regression with regenerating squamous mucosa juxtaposed with areas of columnar epithelium. Carcinoma developed in 3 of 37 patients (8.1%). One patient had recurrence of severe symptoms of reflux esophagitis before development of carcinoma. Patients with Barrett's esophagus who have undergone a successful antireflux operation with symptomatic relief and evidence of improvement in lower esophageal sphincter pressures rarely show regression of Barrett's mucosa and may still be at risk for development of carcinoma. Therefore, the indications for antireflux operation in Barrett's esophagus should remain the same as for other patients with gastroesophageal reflux, but yearly endoscopic and histological surveillance should be continued postoperatively.     

Successful reconstruction of communicating bronchopulmonary foregut malformation associated with laryngotracheoesophageal cleft

A full-term newborn male infant presented with dyspnea and cleft lip and palate. He was thought to have esophageal atresia with tracheoesophageal fistula. He underwent bronchoscopy before operation that showed a laryngotracheoesophageal cleft (LTEC) type III. The left main bronchus originated from the lower esophagus. His diagnosis was communicating bronchopulmonary foregut malformation (CBPFM) type IA associated with LTEC type III. Enhanced chest computed tomographic scan showed the left pulmonary artery originated from the descending aorta. Staged operations were indicated. At first, reconstruction of the left pulmonary artery was done at 3 months of age. Then at 6 months of age, operations for LTEC (tracheoplasty and esophagostomy) and CBPFM left bronchoplasty were performed. Reconstruction of esophagus was performed at age of 1 year. He is now 3 years old and doing well with a mild degree of bronchomalacia. This is the first report of total reconstruction of CBPFM type IA associated with LTEC.     

The highest permissible levels of resection of the esophagus in cancer during surgery with intrathoracic or cervical esophagogastric anastomoses

The levels of esophageal resection for squamous carcinoma were determined in 84 patients by measuring the distance from the incisors to the ring of the esophagogastric anastomosis during esophagoscopy. The radicalism of the operations was evaluated from the difference in the distance between the incisors and the upper border of the tumor and the distance between the incisors and the anastomosis. The mean levels of the highest possible resections of the esophagus were at a distance of 33.5 +/- 2.8, 23.6 +/- 2.0, and 20.4 +/- 2.0 cm from the incisors, respectively, in Garlock's operation, Lewis' operation, and Dobromyslov-Torek's operation with esophagoplasty using an antiperistaltic gastric pedicle. It is suggested that the choice of the method of surgical treatment should be based on comparison of the determined levels of the highest possible resection of the esophagus with the endoscopic assessment of the level of the upper border of the tumor in the esophagus.     

Outcome of the surgical treatment of chemical burns of the esophagus and stomach

Results of the treatment of 70 patients with chemical burns of the stomach and esophagus were studied. Isolated burns of the stomach were diagnosed in 33 patients (47%), associated burns of the stomach and esophagus--in 37 patients (53%). The operation of choice for isolated burns of the stomach may be Billroth-2 resection, while for complete cicatrization of the stomach it was gastrectomy. In patients with associated injuries of the stomach and esophagus the curative methods should be chosen individually. In most cases due to pronounced emaciation they are to be divided into 2 steps. At the first step the conditions for nutrition of the patients are created (gastrostoma, enterostoma). At the second step--reconstructive operations are performed (plasty of the esophagus, gastroenteroanastomosis etc.).     

Subtotal esophagectomy with simultaneous retromediastinal plastic surgery using gastric pedicled flap without thoracotomy

Thirty-three operations for subtotal esophagectomy with one-stage plastics with a gastric pedicle without thoracotomy were carried out between 1985 and 1988. The indications for the operation were as follows: carcinoma of the esophagus (17) and of cardioesophageal localization (7), cicatricial stricture of the esophagus (6), IV degree cardiospasm (2), unspecific esophageal ulcer (1). The esophagus was resected through a laparotomo-transdiaphragmatic-cervical access, the graft formed from the greater curvature of the stomach was passed in the posterior mediastinum with the establishment of a cervical esophagogastroanastomosis. Postoperative complications occurred in 29 patients: incompetence of the anastomosis (26), mediastinitis and pyothorax, (4), peritonitis (2), pneumonia (4). Six patients died. With the performance of intrapleural esophagogastroplasty the mortality rate fell from 25 to 18.2%. The authors claim that subtotal esophagectomy with posteromediastinal gastroplasty without thoracotomy is a less traumatic and safer operative intervention.     

Surgical treatment of diseases of the thoracic portion of the esophagus

An analysis of 299 operations on the thoracic part of the esophagus has been made. The authors consider the method of choice to be a one-step operation of the Lewis type in cancer and scarry strictures of the esophagus. Clinical signs of diverticulitis even of a small degree are thought to be indication to diverticulectomy.     

The surgical treatment of cancer of the esophagus. Summary of replies to a questionnaire.

In an attempt to assess the different methods of treatment of tumors of the esophagus we contacted 170 surgeons (in 1975-1976). Seventy-six (45%) answered a questionnaire concerning the surgical management of esophageal tumors, the reasons for non operability and non resectability, the place of radiotherapy, the validity of palliative procedures, the exposure and type of resection for tumors at various levels in the esophagus, the technical details of the operations, the resectability and mortality rate, the anastomotic leak rate and its treatment, and the five-year survival rate after operation. The replies to the questionnaire are summarized.     

Ways of reducing the number of recurrences of duodenal ulcer after selective proximal vagotomy

Analysis of the results of operations on 271 patients for duodenal ulcer by four variants of selective proximal vagotomy showed that mobilization of merely the lesser curvature and the anterior surface of the distal end of the esophagus reduces acidity insufficiently (by 36.3%) and leads to a great number of recurrences (20%). In mobilizing the esophagus by 2-3 cm the acidity reduces by 50.6% and recurrences to 5.8%, in mobilization of the whole abdominal esophagus acidity reduces by 73.7% and recurrences to 3.1%. Inclusion of mobilization of the posterior wall of the gastric cardia in the operation and division of the auxiliary parasympathetic branches are most effective, there are no recurrences.     

The morphofunctional status of the isoperistaltic gastric transplant for esophagoplasty]

Thirteen patients with carcinomas of the esophagus underwent one-stage operations--extirpation of the esophagus without thoracotomy with simultaneous esophagoplasty using isoperistaltic gastric tube made of the greater curvature of the stomach, in posterior mediastinum with esophagogastrostomy in the neck. The morphofunctional state of the gastric transplants was investigated at early and late periods (for 8 months) after operations. The reduction of blood in the transplants to 40% of the initial, deterioration of acid production, depression of the motility, ischemic atrophy of mucosa and increased fibrosis in submucosa were revealed. Nevertheless satisfactory results of the isoperistaltic tubular esophagoplasty were obtained in 77% of patients in early periods and in 54% of the patients during the first year after operation.     

Prevention and treatment of pleuropulmonary complications after simultaneous reconstructive operations on the esophagus in esophageal cancer]

Pleuropulmonary complications in 50 patients who underwent operation for esophageal carcinoma with simultaneous esophagogastroplasty were most frequent (59%) and serious and accounted for up to 60% of all causes of early postoperative mortality. In operations through a transthoracic approach these complications occur more frequently (75%) than in operations without thoracotomy (48%). The possible causes and measures for the prevention of pleuropulmonary complications in the pre-, intra-, and postoperative periods are discussed. Particular attention is focused on the acute respiratory insufficiency syndrome during resection of the esophagus without thoracotomy. It is concluded that this serious pathological condition can be avoided by a complex of preventive and therapeutic measures carried out in all stages of treatment.     

Reverse two-stage procedure in the surgical treatment of esophageal cancer

Authors have performed 266 one-stage resections and 6 reversed two-stage operations for the treatment of esophageal cancer during a 10-year-period. In six cases first a substernal bypass with colon or stomach was carried out while the tumourous esophagus was removed only 3-4 weeks later from a right thoracic approach. All six patients recovered. The reverse two-stage operation for esophageal cancer can be suggested with rare indications (pulmonary abscess, previous abdominal operations, severe malnutrition, etc.) and it is only justified when the advantage gained by increased operability and decreased morbidity and/or mortality is higher than the disadvantage ensuing from oncological, financial and patient demanding considerations.