[Extensive lymph node excision in the surgical treatment of esophageal and gastric cancer]

Experience with 100 operations for carcinoma of the esophagus and stomach with expanded lymphadenectomy is analysed. The operative techniques are described and the necessity and expediency of expanded lymphadenectomy, the method of its performance, classification of the group of lymph nodes which must be removed are discussed. The postoperative mortality was 2%, complications in the postoperative period 25%. Metastases in the lymph nodes were confirmed histologically in 69% of cases. It is concluded that expanded lymphadenectomy is a necessary measure in surgical intervention in patients with carcinoma of the esophagus and stomach and improves the results of management of this group of patients.