[Esophagoplasty using modified sleeve-type intrathoracic anastomosis]

Anastomotic leakage due to loosening of sutures is the frequent cause of lethality. To prevent such complication, a sleeve-type esophago-enteric and esophagogastric anastomosis was used. Its design eliminates the major cause of failure--the basic sutures running through the soft muscular wall of the esophagus. The new anastomosis was used in ca. 42 patients: Lewis operation (24), proximal resection of the stomach and distal thoracic part of the esophagus and adjuvant intrapleural esophagoplasty with the distal end of the stomach (8), gastrectomy with resection of the distal thoracic part of the esophagus and concomitant intrapleural esophagoplasty with small intestine (S.S.Yudin) (10). Postoperative complications were reported in 18 patients (42.9%); lethality--11.9%. No leaking esophageal anastomosis was registered.