[En bloc esophagectomy--when should the digestive tract be reconstructed?]

In a prospective study direct reconstruction of the esophagus was compared to reconstruction 48-72 h after esophagectomy. In both groups (26/24) transthoracic en-bloc esophagectomy was performed. During the same time period of the study another group of 45 patients had transmediastinal esophagectomy and direct reconstruction and this group was also used as comparison. There were no differences concerning postoperative complications (26.9%; 29.1%; 22.2%), postoperative 30-days mortality (0%; 4.1%; 2.1%), and hospital mortality (3.2%; 4.1%; 4.2%). Thus reconstruction with delayed urgency does not lead to a further decrease of risk; on the other hand there is also no increase of risk and therefore it can be included in the spectrum of procedures of esophageal surgery.