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Updated: Mar 14, 2026

An Ivor Lewis Esophagectomy Designed to Minimize Anastomotic Complications and Optimize Conduit Function
Published on: April 17, 2020
Risk factors for complications after pharyngolaryngectomy with total esophagectomy
Eisuke Booka1, Yasuhiro Tsubosa2, Masahiro Niihara2
1Division of Esophageal Surgery, Shizuoka Cancer Center Hospital, 1007 Shimonagakubo, Nagaizumi-cho, Sunto-gun, Shizuoka, 411-8777 Japan ; Department of Surgery, Keio University School of Medicine, 35 Shinanomachi, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 160-8582 Japan.
Background:
Pharyngolaryngectomy with total esophagectomy (PLTE) is an effective surgical treatment for synchronous or metachronous hypopharyngeal or laryngeal cancer and thoracic esophageal cancer, although it is more invasive than esophagectomy and total pharyngolaryngectomy. The aim of this study was to identify risk factors for complications after PLTE.
Methods:
From November 2002 to December 2014, a total of 8 patients underwent PLTE at the Shizuoka Cancer Center Hospital, Shizuoka, Japan. We investigated the clinicopathological characteristics, surgical procedures, and postoperative complications of these patients.
Results:
Of the 8 patients, 5 underwent one-stage PLTE and 3 underwent staged PLTE. There was no mortality in this study. Two cases of tracheal necrosis, two of anastomotic leakage, and one of ileus were observed as postoperative complications. Two patients who underwent one-stage PLTE with standard mediastinal lymph node dissection developed tracheal necrosis and severe anastomotic leakage.
Conclusion:
One-stage PLTE and standard mediastinal lymph node dissection were identified as the risk factors for severe postoperative complications. Staged PLTE or transhiatal esophagectomy should be considered when PLTE is performed and standard mediastinal lymph node dissection should be avoided when one-stage PLTE is performed with transthoracic esophagectomy.
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