Comparison of hand-sewn and stapled esophagogastric anastomosis after esophageal resection for cancer: a prospective randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to compare the hand-sewn and stapled methods in esophagogastric anastomosis. SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA: After esophageal resection for cancer, the relative merits of the hand-sewn and the stapled methods of esophagogastric anastomosis, especially regarding leakage and stricture rates, have not adequately been studied. METHODS: A prospective randomized controlled trial was undertaken in 122 patients with squamous cell cancer of the thoracic esophagus who underwent a Lewis-Tanner esophagectomy. Patients were stratified according to esophageal size, based on the diameter of the divided esophagus (< or > or = 30 mm) and then were randomized to have either a hand-sewn or a stapled anastomosis. RESULTS: The mean total operating times (standard error of the mean) when the hand-sewn and the stapled methods were used were 214 (4) minutes and 217 (3.4) minutes, respectively (p = not significant [NS]). The respective in vivo proximal resection margins (standard error of the mean) were 8 (0.4) cm and 7.6 (0.4) cm (p = NS). Leakage rates were 1.6% and 4.9% (p = NS). Excluding hospital deaths, patients with leakage or anastomotic recurrence, and those who received radiation therapy to histologically infiltrated resection margin, anastomotic stricture was found in 5 (9.1%) of 55 patients in the hand-sewn group and 20 (40%) of 50 in the stapler group (p = 0.0003). The difference in stricture rates was significant in small as well as large esophagi. Anastomotic recurrence developed in only one patient in each group. CONCLUSIONS: The authors conclude that both methods were safe, but the stapled technique resulted in more stricture formation.     

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.     

Mechanical cervical esophagogastric anastomosis after esophagectomy for cancer

AIM: 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 esophago-gastric 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 December 2004, 34 patients (20 males and 14 females) underwent esophagectomy using tubulized stomach for reconstruction. Mean age was 57 years. Eight patients with advanced stage (5 T3 and 3 T4) underwent induction chemotherapy. The most of patients was affected by squamous cell carcinoma. In all cases we performed cervical esophagogastric anastomosis using linear endoscopic stapler. The occurrence of postoperative anastomotic leak and development of anastomotic stricture were recorded and analyzed. RESULTS: All patients survived esophagectomy and 30 of them (88%) were available for postoperative follow-up at 6 months. Anastomotic leak developed in 1 case. No patient developed fibrous stenosis that required dilatation therapy. CONCLUSIONS: Complete mechanical esophago-gastric anastomosis, using endoscopic linear stapler is effective and safe, even when a narrow gastric tube is used as esophageal substitute. These technique seems superior to other techniques to reduce the incidence of postoperative anastomotic complications.     

A Prospective Randomized Controlled Trial of Semi-mechanical versus Hand-sewn or Circular Stapled Esophagogastrostomy for Prevention of Anastomotic Stricture

Background

Successful anastomosis is essential in esophagogastrectomy, and the application of the circular stapler effectively reduces the anastomotic leakage, although stricture formation has become more frequent. The present study, a randomized controlled trial, compared the recently developed semi-mechanical anastomosis with a hand-sewn or circular stapled esophagogastrostomy in prevention of anastomotic stricture.

Methods

Between November 2007 and September 2008, 160 consecutive patients with esophageal carcinoma underwent surgical treatment our department. Five patients were excluded from this study, and the remaining 155 patients were completely randomized to receive either an everted plus side extension esophagogastrostomy (semi-mechanical [SM] group) or a conventional hand-sewn esophagogastric anastomosis ([HS] group) or a circular stapled ([CS] group) esophagogastric anastomosis, after dissection of the esophageal tumor and construction of a tubular stomach. The primary outcome was the incidence of an anastomotic stricture at 3 months after the operation (defined as the diameter of the anastomotic orifice ≤0.8 cm on esophagogram). Secondary outcomes were the dysphagia score and reflux score, as well as the anastomotic diameter.

Results

The anastomotic stricture rate was 0 % (0/45) in the SM group, 9.6 % (5/52) in the HS group, and 19.1 % (9/47) in the CS group (p < 0.001). The mean diameter of the anastomotic orifice was 18.2 ± 4.7 mm in the SM group, 11.5 ± 2.4 mm in the HS group, and 9.5 ± 3.0 mm in the CS group (p < 0.001). The reflux/regurgitation score among the three groups was similar.

Conclusions

Semi-mechanical esophagogastric anastomosis could prevent stricture formation more effectively than hand-sewn or circular stapler esophagogastrostomy, without increasing gastroesophageal reflux.     

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     

应用直线型缝合器行食管胃侧侧吻合术

目的探讨在食管不同手术入路中应用直线型缝合器行食管胃吻合以减少术后吻合口狭窄的效果。方法自2008年1月~2009年10月应用直线型缝合器纵向缝合食管胃吻合口后壁,使吻合口后壁延长至3 cm以上,应用可吸收缝线连续缝合吻合口前壁,完成食管胃侧侧吻合12例。术后随访观察进食情况,纤维胃镜、造影评估吻合口内径。结果12例均顺利完成食管胃吻合术,胸内吻合10例(83.3%),颈部吻合2例(16.7%)。经左胸切口行食管胃弓下吻合6例,经左胸切口行食管胃弓上吻合2例,经腹部正中切口、右胸切口行食管胃胸顶吻合2例,经三切口行食管胃颈部吻合2例。术后无吻合口瘘,切缘无癌残留,但发生腹部切口感染1例。术后随访1~18个月,进食通畅,行胃镜检查4例,造影检查8例,吻合口直径平均1.5(1.4~1.7)cm,无吻合口狭窄。结论应用直线型缝合器行食管胃吻合通过增加吻合口内径、改变吻合口位置减少了术后吻合口狭窄的发生,是替代传统管型吻合器吻合的有效手术方法。     

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.     

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.     

食管胃侧侧吻合预防吻合口狭窄的临床随机对照研究

目的 评价使用食管胃侧侧吻合术预防术后吻合口狭窄的效果.方法 2007年11月至2008年9月连续收治行食管癌、贲门癌切除术的患者160例,2例拒绝随机分组,3例不符合人选标准,其余155患者完全随机分组为食管胃侧侧吻合组、吻合器吻合组与手工吻合组,通过术后3个月食管造影测量吻合口直径确定吻合口狭窄的发生率(吻合口直径≤O.8 cm为吻合口狭窄).结果 术后死亡1例,行剖胸探查1例.术后并发吻合口漏4例(其中手工吻合3例,吻合器吻合1例).随访率为96.1%(失访6例,侧侧吻合组1例,手工吻合组3例,吻合器组2例).共144例患者进行了意向治疗分析(侧侧吻合组45例,手工吻合组52例,吻合器组47例).三组患者术前情况类似,侧侧吻合组术后吻合13狭窄率(0)低于手工吻合组(9.6%)及吻合器组(19.1%,Fisher 精确概率法,P=0.005),而三组之间的术后胃食管反流程度学差异无统计学意义(χ~2=1.681,P=0.432).结论 食管胃侧侧吻合术能够有效地预防吻合口狭窄,同时并不加重胃食管反流.     

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.     

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.     

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。     

食管癌切除食管胃颈部包套式机械吻合97例结果分析

目的探讨在食管胃颈部吻合术中使用机械吻合并吻合口包埋的作用。方法回顾性分析101例患者行食管癌切除食管胃颈部吻合术的临床资料,总结并分析手术情况和术后并发症情况。结果 97例使用管状吻合器机械吻合并包套吻合口,2例因胃长度不够采用手工吻合,1例因吻合后张力较大未行包套,1例抵钉座尺寸过大撕裂食管肌层需要另行缝合,手术完成率96.0%（97/101）。术后2例出现吻合口或胃出血（2.1%）,吻合口瘘4例（4.1%）,经过清创引流后痊愈;无其他机械吻合并发症。术后3月CT和上消化道造影提示吻合口狭窄（〈1.5 cm）2例,占2.1%,无〈1 cm病例。存在吞咽困难症状共4例（4.1%）,反流引发的反酸、口苦等口腔、咽部相关症状11例（11.3%）。结论管状吻合器胃腔内吻合安全、简便,宽松包套后有显著的抗反流作用。     

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.     

贲门癌切除术中机械与手工吻合疗效比较及评价

目的:探讨贲门癌切除术中可靠有效的吻合方法,以提高临床疗效。方法:回顾性分析以手工吻合技术完成的110例(手工吻合组)和采用管状吻合器完成的180例(机械吻合组)贲门癌手术后患者临床资料,比较两组出现的与吻合技术有关的并发症情况。结果:两组手术时间,吻合口出血发生率无统计学差异(均P>0.05);机械吻合组的吻合口瘘、吻合口狭窄、反流、声嘶发生率及术后6个月病死率均低于手工吻合组(均P<0.05);两组间3年生存率无统计学差异(P>0.05)。结论:机械吻合法在减少术后并发症及病死率方面优于手工吻合法,且操作简单、疗效可靠。     

食管胃颈部器械吻合在食管癌切除术中的应用

目的 探讨食管癌切除后使用消化道圆型吻合器行食管胃颈部吻合的安全性和可行性。方法回顾性分析2009年8月至2011年4月间河南省人民医院采用一次性圆形吻合器行食管癌切除后食管胃颈部吻合病例的临床资料。结果202例患者中除1例因吻合时部分食管撕裂而需手工缝合修补外,其余均一次吻合成功。无手术死亡病例。术后出现颈部吻合口瘘6例（3．0％）,经保守处理后均在短期内愈合;无胸内吻合口瘘或其他吻合器械相关并发症发生;有2例患者在进食后出现较明显的胃食管反流。经10．2个月的中位随访,全组患者均未发现吻合口狭窄。结论食管癌切除后使用吻合器行食管胃颈部吻合安全、可行。     

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.     

Embedded Cervical Esophagogastrostomy: A Simple and Convenient Method Using a Circular Stapler After Esophagectomy for Esophageal Carcinomas

Background

Cervical esophagogastrostomy is currently the most common method for esophageal reconstruction after esophagectomy. The advantages and disadvantages of hand-sewn, linear-stapled, or circular-stapled anastomoses have been subject to debate in recent years. We explored a new method of end-to-side anastomosis using a circular stapler that embeds the anastomosis and the remaining esophageal tissue into the gastric cavity to reduce the occurrence of anastomotic leakage and to prevent gastroesophageal reflux.

Methods

In 127 patients with esophageal carcinomas, end-to-side anastomoses with esophageal embedding were performed by connecting the anvil and body of the circular stapler inside the stomach before firing and embedding the anastomosis and remaining esophagus into the stomach after esophagectomy. Retrospective investigations on postoperative complications such as leakage, stricture, and gastroesophageal reflux were conducted.

Results

A total of 123 patients (96.9 %) had successful surgery, and 4 patients (3.3 %) developed anastomotic leakage, with the total morbidity of 20 of 123 (16.3 %) and in-hospital mortality of 1 of 123 (0.8 %). The incidence of stricture (<1 cm) affected 14 of 123 patients (11.4 %). Eight patients underwent dilatation treatment as a result of severe dysphagia (6.5 %). Half of the patients [62 of 123 (50.4 %)] experienced postoperative heartburn, 11 of 123 patients (8.9 %) experienced acid regurgitation, and 16 of 123 patients (13.0 %) experienced nocturnal cough.

Conclusions

Embedded cervical esophagogastrostomy with circular stapler is a simple and convenient method, with low incidence of anastomotic leakage and a good antireflux effect.     

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。