Non-thoracotomy esophagectomy for carcinoma of the esophagus and cardia

R73; Objective: To try to use Non-Thoracotomy Esophagectomy (NTE) for patient with carcinoma of esophagus and cardia avoiding thoracotomy, and by utilizing a cervical esophagogastric anastomosis in order to reduce perioperative morbidity and mortality. Methods: 18 patients were treated with NTE between 1989 to 1998. Of them, 5adenocarcinoma of the cardia and 13 squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus (2 upper thoracic, and 11distal third). Everting stripping were performed in all patients. Esophagus were extracted either upwards (n=2)or downwards (n=16). The esophageal substitute was a resulting gastric tube (n=5) or the stomach (n=13) and was positioned in the posterior mediastinum. Results:The mean age of the patients was 64 years (ranged 40 to 72). The male:female ratio was 10:8. The mean intraoperative blood loss was 400 ml. There was no hospital deaths. Only one patient had a cervical esophagogastric anastomotic leakage. Conclusion: NTE is to be recommended becauseof its operative ease, safety and rare operative complications. CT scanning of the thorax and bronchoscopy is necessary before using the technique of NTE.