[Esophageal carcinoma: a one-time procedure with stomach transposition as a therapeutic concept (author's transl)]

From December 1979 until October 1981 29 patients with malignant esophageal stenosis were treated in surgical department I of the University of Vienna. The tumor was located in 3 patients in the upper third of the esophagus in 17 cases in the middle, and in 9 in the lower third. The tumor stage permitted curative treatment (exstirpation of the esophagus) in 25 cases; in the remaining 4 patients bypass procedures were performed (retrosternal, antethoracic). In 6 cases the esophagus was excluded by blunt dissection without thoracotomy. For esophageal replacement the stomach was used in all cases in isoperistaltic fashion with cervical anastomosis. Of 13 cervical anastomotic leaks 11 healed spontaneously within 2 weeks. Five patients died, 3 of them because of respiratory failure. Using the stomach for replacement is a safe method with excellent functional results.