[New technique of esophagogastrostomy--improved intraluminal elastic circular ligation]

199 patients with carcinoma of the esophagus or gastric cardia treated by resection and intraluminal elastic circular ligation from January 1981 to July 1986 are reported. The management of these cases is divided into three periods for convenience in analysis: period of early practice 17 cases; period of technical and instrumental refinement 117 and period of standardization 65. No anastomotic leakage was found in 65 patients during the third period, indicating that the intraluminal elastic circular ligation is practical and advisable. In addition, this ligation, basing on successful animal experiments, is simpler and more rapid as compared with the manual method. Fundamental principles of this method are discussed. At present, the supporting tube needs further improvement.