A simple technique of palliative oesophageal bypass operation

Twelve consecutive oesophageal bypass operations using stomach, in which both the upper and the lower ends of the oesophagus proximal and distal to the growth were suture-closed are reported. There were no complications directly attributable to the closure of the oesophagus. The longest surviving patient with a benign stricture is well and eating a normal diet 40 months after operation. Suture closure of the oesophageal ends is a safe procedure. It avoids a difficult subdiaphragmatic anastomosis, saves on the number of anastomoses required and therefore improves the chances of survival.