[Surgery for carcinoma of the esophagus. Methods and techniques]

Given the poor prognosis in carcinoma of the oesophagus, and with the aid of advances in anaesthesia and postoperative care, surgery has progressively evolved towards wider excision and a reduction in the number of operative stages. Partial oesophagectomy, with gastrolysis and gastro-oesophageal anastomosis, via a left thoracotomy, is favoured by large number of authors. However, it involves a certain number of disadvantages: by definition a limited excision, unsuitable for carcinomas in the cervical region and a marked risk of postoperative gastro-oesophageal reflux. Total oesophagectomy offers a hope of better results from an oncological standpoint, the more so since excision may be extended superiorly (laryngectomy) or inferiorly (total gastrectomy with lymph node excision). Continuity is re-established using a colonic transplant. The operation may be performed in two stages, though a single stage procedure with two teams would appear to be preferable, overall mortality and morbidity being reduced. Finally, colonic oesophagoplasty may be used alone, as a simply palliative measure, without associated tumour excision. By short-circuiting the oesophageal stenosis, it permits continued alimentation per os and the patient's period of survival is more comfortable.