60 cases of stenosis of the thoracic esophagus. Surgical technic]

Thoracic esophageal stenosis most frequently is seen in reflux disease as sequelae of endobrachyesophagus. In 10% of these cases later on an adenocarcinoma will be proven. Of special therapeutic interest in this field is the relationship with the Zollinger-Ellison syndrome, with scleroderma and with juvenile acid burns of the esophagus. As operative therapy in the benign state of reflux disease we advise conservative, organ-preserving, functional surgery with peroperative dilatation, abdominal fundoplication and, if necessary, vagotomy. Long-term follow-up results are demonstrated.