Combined resection of the thoracic esophagus and thoracic descending aorta

We conducted combined resection of the thoracic esophagus and thoracic descending aorta in 2 patients, one with advanced esophageal cancer with aortic invasion and the other aortoesophageal fistula caused by a false aortic aneurysm. Combined resection of esophageal tumor and adjacent involved organs was conducted in 14 patients with A3:T4 esophageal cancer but none survived 3 years and resecting tumor-invaded organs did not improve patient survival. One major problem of combined resection of the esophagus and aorta is contamination of the posterior mediastinum. In 1 patient, 2-stage surgery for the esophagus and in situ aortic replacement was conducted to reduce operative risk and avoiding infection of the prosthetic vascular graft. With thoracic descending aortic aneurysm adjacent to the esophagus on the increase, cardiovascular surgeons should prepared to undertake combined resection of both the aorta and esophagus.