Cervical esophago-gastric anastomosis using linear cutter stapler in esophageal cancer

Anastomosis in gastrointestinal (GI) surgery is a commonly performed procedure. Irrelevant various methods of intestinal anastomosis were followed - recent advance is the use of a stapler as a device for GI anastomosis. Due to the use of staplers, technical failures are a rarity, anastomosis is more consistent and can be used at difficult locations.

: Between 2008 and August 2016, 75 patients with esophagus or gastroesophageal junction carcinoma underwent curative intent resection either via a right posterolateral thoracotomy (TTE) or transhiatal esophagectomy or video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery with linear stapler anastomosis.

The average follow-up was approximately 9 months. Anastomotic leakage was observed in three patients. On follow-up, two patients presented with difficulty in swallowing, and on upper GI endoscopy, they were found to have anastomotic site stricture. There was no perioperative mortality.

The linear-stapled esophagogastric anastomosis is a safe and effective anastomotic technique, which can decrease the rate of leak, postoperative dysphagia, and anastomotic stricture. As in this technique only two linear staplers are used in comparison to other techniques where three or more staplers are used, it is also cost-effective. The procedure deserves more attention and further application.