Intubation of inoperable tumours of the oesophagogastric junction

When obstruction occurs in inoperable tumours of the oesophago-cardiac region, intubation with an endoprosthesis is an important palliative measure. Although the endoscopic placing of a prosthesis is preferable, inoperability can often only by established at laparotomy. In this event a Celestin, Mousseau-Barbin or Häring tube can be introduced. The problems surrounding these surgical procedures are discussed on the basis of 42 patients with an average age of 66 1/2 years. There was an operative mortality of 28%. Thirty patients were discharged. The desired palliation was nearly always achieved. The average survival rate was 11 weeks. One patient lived for 80 weeks. The most important postoperative complication of the discharged patients was wound infection. Adequate antibiotic prophylaxis can diminish the complication rate.