[Esophagectomy without thoracotomy using a stripping method: technic, results, indications in benign and malignant...

A technique of esophagectomy without thoracotomy using a stripper with limited dissection of the mediastinum has been applied to 48 patients: neoplasia in 41 (squamous-cell carcinoma of the esophagus: 34, carcinoma of the gastric cardia: 5, pharyngeal carcinoma: 2) and non-malignant pathology in 7 (2 caustic necroses, 2 ruptured esophagus, 2 anastomotic leakages after gastro-esophageal resection, 1 caustic stenosis). There were 3 post-operative deaths. The best indications of this procedure are extended tumors of the lower esophagus in poor-risk patients, and perhaps superficial carcinomas of the esophagus whatever the site. The usefulness of this technique in such situations as perforations and mediastinitis is emphasized.