Wound Infection After Ileostomy Closure: An Interim Analysis of a Prospective Randomized Study Comparing Primary Versus Circumferential Subcuticular Closure Techniques.

Background: Circumferential subcuticular wound approximation (CSWA) of round shaped skin wounds after ileostomy take down is believed to lower the rates of surgical site infection (SSI). We performed this randomized trial to compare the rates of SSI and other short-term outcomes among primary linear skin closure (PC) and CSWA groups of patients. Patients and Methods: All patients undergoing ileostomy reversal during the study period were randomly assigned to either PC or CSWA. The primary outcome was the incidence of SSI as assessed by ASEPSIS scoring system. The secondary outcomes included healing time, length of post-operative hospital stay, and patients' satisfaction regarding cosmetic outcome, expectations, pain, time of healing, wound care, and activity on a five-point Likert scale. Results: Thirty-one patients (PC = 15; CSWA = 16) underwent ileostomy reversal during the study period. There was no SSI in the PC group whereas three patients developed SSI in the CSWA group but the result was not statistically significant (p = 0.23). The scores for time of healing (p < 0.001), wound care (p = 0.007), and activity (p < 0.001) were significantly better for PC compared with CSWA whereas there was no significant difference in the scores for cosmetic outcome, expectations, and pain. Healing time was shorter in the PC group (6.7 vs. 34.2 days; p < 0.001) whereas the post-operative length of stay was comparable (6.3 vs. 7 days; p = 0.27). Conclusions: Although there was no difference in the incidence of SSI among the two groups, the PC group fared better in terms of mean time to healing and requirement of wound care.

Surgery for mesenchymal neoplasms of the esophagus: experience over 2 decades from a tertiary healthcare center in India.

Mesenchymal tumors are the most common benign neoplasms of the esophagus. Owing to the rarity of these neoplasms, there is a dearth of literature regarding their diagnosis and management. Our 2-decade-long experience in managing these neoplasms surgically is presented. Relevant clinical data of all patients with esophageal mesenchymal neoplasms (EMNs) managed between January 2000 and May 2020 were retrospectively collected from a prospectively maintained esophageal diseases database in the Department of GI Surgery, AIIMS, New Delhi (India). Special emphasis was given to data pertaining to diagnostic evaluation of patients, type of surgery done (enucleation vs. resection), postoperative outcomes, histopathology and long-term follow-up. Nineteen patients (12 females; age 15-66 years) underwent surgery for EMN (mean tumor size 7.6 cm; enucleation 10; resection 9). On histopathological examination, 17 cases were noted to be benign esophageal leiomyomas and 2 were identified as gastrointestinal stromal tumors. There was no perioperative mortality. All cases were followed up for a median duration of 6 years (range 1-19 years) with no evidence of recurrence in any case. Though EMNs are uncommon, they are mostly benign, and the long-term outcomes after surgical excision are gratifying.

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy in patients with portal cavernoma without portal vein decompression.

INTRODUCTION: Laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) in patients with extrahepatic portal vein obstruction causing portal cavernoma (PC) is considered high risk because of portosystemic collateral veins in the hepatocystic triangle. The literature is limited to isolated case reports. We describe our experience of LC in patients with PC. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Data of patients with PC who underwent LC for symptomatic gallstones or related complications was reviewed. Patients with simultaneous cholecystectomy with splenorenal shunt and open cholecystectomy were excluded. Pre-operative evaluation consisted of complete blood count, international normalisation ratio and liver function tests, ultrasound of the abdomen with Doppler, contrast-enhanced computerised tomography, magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography and esophagogastroscopy as indicated. A standard four-port LC was performed. The technical principles followed were to avoid injury to the collateral veins, liberal use of energy sources and division of dominant collateral veins between clips. RESULTS: Seven adult patients including three females underwent LC. Three patients had thrombosis of previous surgical shunt with persistent PC. The remaining four patients did not have any indication for shunt surgery. Successful LC was performed in six patients. The median duration of surgery was 170 (130-250 min). Blood transfusion was not required. All the patients had uneventful post-operative recovery. The histopathology of gall bladder consists of acute cholecystitis in three patients and chronic cholecystitis in four. CONCLUSION: LC is feasible in patients with PC at a centre with experience in both laparoscopic and portal hypertension surgeries. Excellent outcome with low rate of conversion to open surgery can be achieved.

Prognostic Factors and the Role of Adjuvant Treatment in Periampullary Carcinoma: a Single-Centre Experience of 95 Patients.

PURPOSE: The effect of adjuvant treatment on those undergoing pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) for periampullary carcinomas (PAC) is not well studied. Most studies employed chemoradiation as the adjuvant modality. We aimed to analyse clinicopathological differences between types of PACs, the prognostic factors and the role of adjuvant therapy (chemotherapy in the majority). METHODS: Patients with PAC who underwent PD from Jan 2011 to Dec 2015 were retrospectively analysed. RESULTS: Ninety-five patients with PAC underwent PD in the study period. Ampullary carcinoma (AC) was the most common. Pancreatic carcinomas (PC) were larger. AC had lower T stage, perineural invasion (PNI) and R1 resections. Median overall survival (OS) was 32.7 months. On multivariate analysis, lymph node ratio (LNR) ≥ 0.2 and advanced T stage adversely affected the OS. Fifty-seven (66.3%) patients received adjuvant treatment, of which 50 had chemotherapy alone. Adjuvant treatment resulted in better OS in patients with T stage ≥ 3, lymph node involvement, LNR ≥ 0.2, lymphovascular invasion, PNI, tumour size > 2 cm, higher grade and distal cholangiocarcinoma. CONCLUSION: In patients of PAC undergoing PD, AC had favourable clinicopathological profile. LNR ≥ 0.2 and advanced T stage adversely affected OS. Adjuvant treatment resulted in significantly better OS in patients with high-risk features.

Gangrenous cholecystitis: Analysis of imaging findings in histopathologically confirmed cases.

PURPOSE: To study the imaging findings in gangrenous acute cholecystitis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Retrospective analysis of imaging findings in 31 histopathologically confirmed cases of gangrenous cholecystitis was done. The following imaging findings were analyzed: wall thickness, gallbladder distension, intraluminal membranes, mural striation, edema, wall enhancement, gallstones, gas, pericholecystic fluid, stranding, hemorrhage, hyperaemia in adjacent liver, mucosal/wall irregularity, complications. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: Appropriate statistical tests were used using SPSS.22.0 software. The two proportions were compared using Chi-square or Fisher exact test and two means were compared using student t test. RESULTS: Mean gallbladder wall thickening was 6 ± 1.93 mm. Gallstones, mural edema, mural striation, pericholecystic fluid, intraluminal membranes, gas were seen in 30, 27, 18, 20, 14 and 3 cases respectively. The mean short-axis distension of gallbladder lumen was 4.24 ± 0.91 cm. Gallbladder wall enhancement was studied in only 10 cases. Complete absence of enhancement was seen in 1, focal decreased enhancement in 8 cases. Mucosal/wall irregularity was seen in 28 cases. 74.2% cases had ≥4 cm gallbladder distension. Intraluminal membranes were present in 14 cases with mean short-axis distension of 4.6 cm and absent in 17 (P = 0.041), in 11 cases with mural striation (P = 0.036). Mean wall thickening was 6.69mm in patients with intraluminal membranes and 5.46 mm with absence of membranes (P = .078). CONCLUSION: Presence of more than one of these findings - gallbladder distension (short axis diameter of ≥4 cm), intraluminal membranes, mural striation, absent or decreased enhancement of gallbladder wall suggest high probability of gangrenous change in acute cholecystitis.

Ileostomy site approach for adhesiolysis and laparoscopic cholecystectomy in a hostile abdomen: A novel technique.

INTRODUCTION:: Gallstones are an etiological factor in 23%-54% of patients with acute pancreatitis. A small proportion of these patients will also have intestinal complications requiring necrosectomy with diverting loop ileostomy. Later, these patients require cholecystectomy and ileostomy reversal. Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is fraught with difficulty in these patients due to dense intra-abdominal adhesions, and many surgeons resort to an open approach. We describe a technique which takes advantage of the ileostomy site for initial access. MATERIALS AND SURGICAL TECHNIQUE: Ileostomy reversal is done and a SILS™ (Covidien, Mansfield, Massachusetts, USA) port is inserted under direct vision, through the ileostomy site. Adhesiolysis is done through the SILS™ port. Additional ports are inserted and standard steps are followed for cholecystectomy. CONCLUSION: The use of ileostomy incision as the first port facilitates adhesiolysis and subsequent port placement in the hostile abdomen encountered in these patients. We describe a novel technique of ileostomy reversal and laparoscopic cholecystectomy using SILS™ port.

Ampullary Mixed Adenoneuroendocrine Carcinoma: Surprise Histology, Familiar Management.

INTRODUCTION: Mixed adenoneuroendocrine carcinoma (MANEC) has recently been defined by the World Health Organization in 2010. These are rare tumors and MANECs of ampullary region are even rarer. Only 19 cases have been reported in literature. We present 3 cases; the largest series, second case of amphicrine tumor and first case associated with chronic pancreatitis. METHODS: Retrospective review of 3 patients who were diagnosed to have ampullary MANEC. RESULTS: All 3 patients were diagnosed preoperatively as neuroendocrine carcinoma and underwent margin negative pancreaticoduodenectomy. The histopathology revealed MANECs of small cell, mixed type in 2 patients and large cell, amphicrine type in 1 patient. The neuroendocrine component was grade 3 in all, the tumor was T3 in 2 and T2 in 1 and all had nodal metastases. Two patients received adjuvant chemotherapy and 2 of them had recurrence at 13 and 16 months. The median survival was 15 months. CONCLUSION: Ampullary MANECs are rare tumors. They are diagnosed on histopathologic examination of the resected specimen. Clinical presentation, management, and prognosis is similar to ampullary adenocarcinoma in literature.

Genetically Determined Chronic Pancreatitis but not Alcoholic Pancreatitis Is a Strong Risk Factor for Pancreatic Cancer.

OBJECTIVE: To study if chronic pancreatitis (CP) is a risk factor for pancreatic cancer. METHODS: Through a cohort and a case-control study design, CP and other important risk factors including smoking, diabetes, alcohol, obesity, and genetic mutations were studied for their association with pancreatic cancer. RESULTS: In the cohort study, 402 patients with CP were included. During 3967.74 person-years of exposure, 5 of the 402 patients (4 idiopathic CP, 1 hereditary CP) developed pancreatic cancer after 16.60 ± 3.51 years of CP. The standardized incidence ratio was 121. In the case-control study, 249 pancreatic cancer patients and 1000 healthy controls were included. Of the 249 patients with pancreatic cancer, 24 had underlying idiopathic CP, and none had alcoholic pancreatitis. SPINK1 gene mutation was present in 16 of 26 patients with idiopathic CP who had pancreatic cancer. Multivariable analysis showed CP (odds ratio [OR], 97.67; 95% confidence interval [CI], 12.69-751.36), diabetes (>4 years duration) (OR, 3.05; 95% CI, 1.79-5.18), smoking (OR, 1.93; 95% CI, 1.38-2.69) as significant risk factors for pancreatic cancer. The population attributable risk was 9.41, 9.06, and 9.50 for diabetes, CP, and smoking, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Genetically determined CP but not alcoholic CP is a strong risk factor for pancreatic cancer.

Surgery as primary prophylaxis from variceal bleeding in patients with extrahepatic portal venous obstruction.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: In patients with extrahepatic portal venous obstruction (EHO), death is usually due to variceal bleeding. This is more so in developing countries where there is a lack of tertiary health-care facilities and blood banks. Prophylactic operations in cirrhotics have been found to be deleterious. In contrast, patients with EHO have well-preserved liver function, and we therefore investigated the role of prophylactic surgery to prevent variceal bleeding. METHODS: Between 1976 and 2010, we operated on selected patients with EHO, who had no history of variceal bleeding but had "high-risk" esophagogastric varices or severe portal hypertensive gastropathy and/or hypersplenism, and came from remote areas with poor access to tertiary health care. Following surgery, these patients were prospectively followed up with regard to mortality, variceal bleeding, encephalopathy, and liver function. RESULTS: A total of 114 patients (67 males; mean age 19 years) underwent prophylactic operations (proximal splenorenal shunts 98 [86%]; esophagogastric devascularization 16). Postoperative mortality was 0.9%. Among 89(79%) patients who were followed up (mean 60 months), hypersplenism was cured, and six (6.7%) developed variceal bleeding. The latter were managed successfully by endoscopic sclerotherapy. No patient developed overwhelming post-splenectomy sepsis or encephalopathy, and 90% were free of symptoms. CONCLUSION: In patients with EHO, prophylactic surgery is fairly safe and prevents variceal bleeding in ∼ 94% of patients with no occurrence of portosystemic encephalopathy. Patients with EHO who have not bled but have high-risk varices and/or hypersplenism, and poor access to medical facilities should be offered prophylactic operations.

Surgical management and outcomes of severe gastrointestinal injuries due to corrosive ingestion.

AIM: To report our experience in the surgical management of severe injuries of the gastrointestinal tract due to corrosive ingestion. METHODS: A retrospective review of patients who underwent emergency surgery for severe gastrointestinal injuries following corrosive ingestion between 1983 and 2010 was carried out. Data was extracted from a prospectively maintained esophageal disease database. Severe corrosive injuries were defined as full thickness necrosis with perforation of the esophagus or the stomach (with or without involvement of the adjacent viscera) with resultant mediastinitis or peritonitis. RESULTS: Between 1983 and 2010, 209 patients with corrosive injury of the esophagus were managed. Of these, 13 (6.2%) patients underwent emergency surgery for severe corrosive injury. The median age of the patients was 22 years and the median interval between ingestion of the corrosive substance and surgery was 24 h. The surgical procedures done included esophagogastrectomy alone (n = 6), esophagogastrectomy with duodenectomy (n = 4), esophagogastrectomy with pancreaticoduodenectomy (n = 1), esophagogastrectomy with splenectomy (n = 1) and distal gastrectomy with duodenectomy (n = 1). Two patients died in the postoperative period and one after discharge awaiting the second surgery. The factors significantly predictive of mortality following such an injury included renal failure at the time of initial presentation, presence of metabolic acidosis, delay of more than 24 h between corrosive ingestion and surgery, and corrosive induced adjacent organ injury (pancreatic) (P < 0.001, 0.02, 0.005 and 0.015 respectively). Ten patients underwent subsequent surgery for restoration of the alimentary tract continuity with a colonic pull-up (n = 8) and gastrojejunostomy (n = 1). In one patient, the attempted colon pull-up failed due to extensive scarring of the mesocolon. The median follow up (following restoration of continuity of the gastrointestinal tract) was 36.5 mo. One patient developed dysphagia due to a stricture at the anastomotic site, which was successfully managed by dilatation. Another patient developed severe aspiration, necessitating laryngeal inlet closure and permanent tracheostomy, and 3 patients complained of occasional regurgitation. CONCLUSION: Management of severe corrosive injury involves prompt resuscitation and urgent surgical debridement. Although the subsequent restoration of continuity may be complicated and may not always be possible, long term outcomes are acceptable in the majority.

Randomized trial comparing side-to-side stapled and hand-sewn esophagogastric anastomosis in neck.

BACKGROUND: Leak from cervical esophagogastric anastomosis (CEGA) following esophagectomy is associated with morbidity and poor functional outcome. To address this issue, we conducted a randomized trial comparing "hand-sewn" with "stapled side-to-side" CEGA. METHODS: Of 174 patients who underwent esophageal resection and CEGA between 2004 and 2010, 87 each were randomized to "hand-sewn" and "stapled side-to-side" CEGA [ www.Clinical Trials.gov: NCT00497549]. The primary outcome measure was anastomotic leak rate. The secondary outcome measures included CEGA construction time and occurrence of anastomotic stricture during follow up. RESULTS: The overall anastomotic leak rate was 17.2% (major leaks: 8 %). The leak rate was similar among the two groups (hand-sewn: 14/87, stapled: 16/87; p=0.33). The stapled anastomotic technique was faster (25 ±.5 min vs. 27 ± 5.5 min; p=0.02). The overall operative mortality and morbidity rates were 6.3 % and 40.8 %, respectively. At a median follow up of 12 (6-42) months, anastomotic stricture occurred in 24 (14.7 %) patients and was significantly more common in the "hand-sewn" group (17/82 vs. 7/81; p=0.045). CONCLUSION: There were no differences in the leak rates and postoperative outcome between the two CEGA techniques. At follow up, anastomotic strictures occurred less frequently following stapled CEGA. The ideal CEGA technique remains elusive.

Palliative stenting with or without radiotherapy for inoperable esophageal carcinoma: a randomized trial.

BACKGROUND: A majority of patients with esophageal cancer present with inoperable disease and require rapid and long-lasting palliation of dysphagia. STUDY AIM: To compare the duration of relief of dysphagia in patients with inoperable esophageal cancer treated with esophageal stenting alone or a combination of esophageal stenting and external beam radiotherapy (EBRT), and to assess overall survival, treatment-related complications, and quality of life (QOL) in the two groups. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients with inoperable esophageal cancer and with high grade dysphagia were randomized to receive esophageal stenting with self-expandable metal stent (Ultraflex) alone (Group I), versus a combination of stenting followed by EBRT (30 gray in ten divided fractions over 2 weeks) (Group II). Dysphagia relief, overall survival, QOL (using European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire-C30, version 3), and treatment-related complications were assessed in the two groups. RESULTS: From April 2007 to March 2009, 84 patients were randomized to receive esophageal stent alone (42 patients) or a combination of stent and EBRT (42 patients). The two groups were comparable in demographics, tumor characteristics, indications for palliative treatment, and pretreatment dysphagia score. Dysphagia scores improved significantly in both groups following stent insertion. However, dysphagia relief was more sustained in Group II than in Group I (7 vs. 3 months, p = 0.002). Overall median survival was significantly higher in Group II than in Group I (180 vs. 120 days, p = 0.009). Addition of radiotherapy following stenting prolonged the mean dysphagia-free survival (118.6 ± 55.8 vs. 96.8 ± 43.0 days, p = 0.054). There was significant improvement in all QOL parameters at 1 week after stenting. The QOL, however, significantly declined immediately after radiotherapy. There was no treatment-related mortality, and the incidence of complications was similar in the two groups. CONCLUSION: Post-stenting EBRT effectively prolongs duration of dysphagia relief and improves overall survival in inoperable esophageal cancer.

Outcome following surgical management of corrosive strictures of the esophagus.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the short- and long-term outcomes following surgical treatment for corrosive stricture of the esophagus. BACKGROUND: Surgery is a well-established treatment for corrosive strictures of the esophagus and involves either resection or bypass of the damaged esophagus and replacement by a conduit. The need for resection and the choice of the ideal conduit for esophageal replacement in these patients continues to be debated and there are only a few studies reporting on the long-term outcome following the surgical treatment. METHODS: This was a retrospective analysis of patients with corrosive stricture of the esophagus who were managed surgically between 1983 and 2009. The type of surgery performed (resection or bypass), the conduit used, the short- and long-term outcomes were assessed. RESULTS: One hundred seventy-six corrosive strictures of the esophagus were managed surgically (resection: 64, bypass: 112). A transhiatal resection could be accomplished in 59 of 62 patients in whom it was attempted. Stomach conduits were used in 107 patients and colonic conduits in 69. The mean operating time was 4.3 ± 1.5 hours and the mean estimated blood loss 592 ± 386 mL. Cervical anastomotic leak occurred in 22 patients (12.5%). Follow up of more than 10 years was available for 78 patients (44.3%) and more than 15 years for 54 patients (30.7%). Recurrent dysphagia developed in 33 patients (18.7%). There were no differences in the short- or long-term outcomes in patients who underwent resection or bypass. The mean duration of surgery, intraoperative blood loss, incidence of conduit necrosis, and in-hospital mortality was significantly lower in patients with stomach conduits as compared with colonic conduits. There was a higher incidence of recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy, recurrent dysphagia, and aspiration after surgery in patients with strictures involving the upper end of the esophagus at or near the hypopharynx. CONCLUSIONS: Satisfactory outcomes are achieved after surgery for corrosive strictures of the esophagus. Resection of scarred esophagus may be done without a substantial increase in the morbidity and mortality; however, the outcomes are not significantly different from bypass. Stomach is a good conduit and the colon should be reserved for cases where the stomach is not available. Long-term outcomes in patients with hypopharyngeal strictures, however, continue to be poor.

Effect of antecolic or retrocolic reconstruction of the gastro/duodenojejunostomy on delayed gastric emptying after pancreaticoduodenectomy: a randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE: To study the effect of antecolic vs. retrocolic reconstruction on delayed gastric emptying (DGE) after pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) and to analyze factors which may be associated with post-PD DGE. DGE is a troublesome complication occurring in 30-40% of patients undergoing PD leading to increased postoperative morbidity. Many factors have been implicated in the pathogenesis of DGE. Among the various methods employed to reduce the incidence, recent reports have suggested that an antecolic reconstruction of gastro/duodenojejunostomy may decrease the incidence of DGE. METHODS: Between Sep 2006 and Nov 2008, 95 patients requiring PD (for both malignant and benign conditions) were eligible for the study. Of these, 72 patients finally underwent a PD and were randomized to either a retrocolic or antecolic reconstruction of the gastro/duodenojejunostomy. All patients underwent the standard Whipple's or a pylorus preserving pancreaticoduodenectomy (PPPD), and the randomization was stratified according to the type of PD done. DGE was assessed clinically using the Johns Hopkins criteria (Yeo et al. in Ann Surg 218: 229-37, 1993). In patients suspected to have DGE, mechanical causes were excluded by imaging and/or endoscopy. Occurrence of DGE was the primary endpoint, whereas duration of hospital stay and occurrence of intra-abdominal complications were the secondary end points. RESULTS: The antecolic and retrocolic groups were comparable with regard to patient demographics, diagnosis, and other preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative factors. Overall, DGE occurred in 21 patients (30.9%). There was no significant difference in the incidence of DGE in the antecolic vs. the retrocolic group (34.4% vs. 27.8%; p = 0.6). On univariate analysis, older age, use of octreotide, and intra-abdominal complications were significantly associated with the occurrence of DGE; however, on a multivariate analysis, only age was found to be significant (p = 0.02). The mean postoperative stay was longer among patients who developed DGE (21.9 ± 9.3 days vs. 13 ± 6.9 days; p = 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: Delayed gastric emptying is a cause of significant morbidity and prolongs the duration of hospitalization following pancreaticoduodenectomy. The incidence of DGE does not appear to be related to the method of reconstruction (antecolic or retrocolic). Older age may be a risk factor for its occurrence.

Management and outcome of intrathoracic bleeding due to vascular injury during transhiatal esophagectomy.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to ascertain the incidence and outcome of intrathoracic vascular injury during transhiatal resection of the esophagus. BACKGROUND: Resection of the esophagus is indicated for a variety of benign and malignant diseases and can be performed via the transhiatal or transthoracic route. As the esophagus is in close vicinity to the aorta, pulmonary vessels and the azygous vein, these blood vessels can be injured during its resection. METHODS: We extracted data on the incidence, management, and outcome of intrathoracic vascular injuries that occurred during transhiatal esophagectomy between 1983 and 2010 from a prospectively maintained esophageal diseases database. RESULTS: During this period, 710 transhiatal esophagectomies were done for malignant (n = 617) and benign causes (n = 93). Intrathoracic vascular injury occurred in ten patients (1.4%). The indication for esophagectomy was malignancy (nine patients) and corrosive stricture (one patient). All nine patients with malignancy had squamous cell carcinoma, and the tumor was located in the midthoracic esophagus in seven and lower thoracic esophagus in two patients. Eight of nine patients with cancer had received preoperative radiotherapy. The site of injury was the aorta/its esophageal branch (six patients), azygous vein (three patients), and inferior pulmonary vein (one patient). The estimated median intraoperative blood loss was 4,450 ml (range, 2,000-6,000 ml), and the median duration of the surgery was 5 h (range, 4-7 h). On a multivariable analysis, location of tumor (in the midthoracic esophagus) was a significant risk factor for the occurrence of vascular injury. Seven patients required a thoracotomy to control the bleeding while in two patients, it could be identified and controlled transhiatally. Two patients died intraoperatively due to massive bleeding and another two died in the postoperative period. Of the patients who survived (n = 6), three patients had an uneventful recovery, one patient developed a cervical anastomotic leak, and two patients developed chest infection. CONCLUSION: Vascular injury during transhiatal esophagectomy is a rare but life-threatening complication. There may be a higher risk in tumors located in the mid esophagus. Management involves prompt identification and control via a dilated hiatus or a thoracotomy.