Esophagectomy by inversion stripping and stapled esophago-gastroanastomosis: a cadaveric and animal study

ABSTRACT

Numerous esophagectomy techniques are available, of them transhiatal esophagectomy gives lower morbidity and mortality than esophagectomy involving a thoracotomy. The new technique of esophageal stripping with stapled esophagogastric anastomosis was peirformed on 8 human cadavers and on 9 live dogs. Stripping in a neck to abdomen direction was easy, quick and safe. Modifying the stripper head to accept the two wire ends made pulling up the stomach to the neck easy and safe. Using staplers to perform the procedure decreased the operative time. The authors think that this new technique is suitable for esophagectomy for upper 1/3 and lower 1/3 esophageal tumours as well as for esophagectomy for all benign conditions requiring removal of the esophagus