ABSTRACT
Objective: To explore the feasibility of reverse puncture in end-to-end cervical esophago-gastric anastomosis without nasogastric tube in minimally invasive esophagectomy in patients with esophageal cancer. Methods: Eighty-three patients, who were pathologically diagnosed of esophageal squamous-cell cancer and underwent reverse puncture in end-to-end cervical esophago-gastric anastomosis without nasogastric tube in minimally invasive esophagectomy in Department of Thoracic Surgery of Tumor Hospital Affiliated to Xinjiang Medical University between March 2014 and March 2015, were recruited in this study. The short-term complications related to anastomotic Stoma were analyzed. Results: Of 83 patients, cervical anastomotic fistula occurred in 2 patients (2.4%), and the anastomotic stricture occurred in 3 patients (3.6%). Conclusion: Reverse puncture in end-to-end cervical esophago-gastric anastomosis without nasogastric tube in minimally invasive esophagectomy is feasible and safe with low incidence rates of anastomotic fistula and anastomotic stricture.