[Excision of cancer of the upper thoracic esophagus by initial right thoracotomy]

The authors present their experience with right thoracic first approach in resection of upper thoracic esophageal carcinoma followed by gastro-esophageal anastomosis. This technique has got many advantages: any degree of tumoral extension can be managed by an adapted strategy for the situation; and the technique is particularly suitable for resection of upper thoracic esophageal lesions which usually present many hazard for their removal. Thirty three patients have been operated according to this technique. A satisfactory rate of complete resection was obtained. Mortality rate one month after the operation was of 6%, an although the extensive character of the lesions encountered in this survey of patients, long-life survival rate was satisfactory and seems that it could be ameliorated by the application of a preoperative radio-chemotherapy protocol.