End-to-end anastomosis after segmental esophagectomy for early stage cervical esophageal carcinoma

Surgical procedures are still controversial for patients with cervical esophagus carcinoma. Conventional surgical procedures of cervical esophagectomy or total esophagectomy and esophageal reconstruction are invasive and time taking, which contributes to higher morbidity and mortality. Here, we describe a technique of local esophagectomy for the treatment of early stage cervical esophageal carcinoma. The cervical esophagus is circumferentially mobilized and transected segmentally at the appropriate level, followed by direct end-to-end anastomosis of esophagus. The procedure has been performed in 7 patients aged 59 to 82 years old, with minor postoperative complications.