Total gastrectomy via thoracotomy for cancer of gastric cardia and fundus. Report of 90 cases]

From 1978 through 1990, 90 total gastrectomy with esophagojejunostomy via thoracotomy were performed for the treatment of cancer of cardia or fundus of stomach. 85/90 patients were at TNM III-stage and 5/90-at IV-stage. 30-day post-resectional mortality was 1.1%. Five-year survival rate was 13.8%. 14CO2 respiratory test and clinical evaluation of 34 post-operative patients showed that total gastrectomy may decrease the incidence of positive residual cancer along the incision lines. It may also spare the patient from small-stomach syndrome. There was no statistical difference in postoperative fat absorption and digestive function between ordinary proximal subtotal gastrectomy and total gastrectomy.