The Annals of Thoracic Surgery, Vol 58, 254-256, Copyright © 1994 by The Society of Thoracic Surgeons
Transhiatal stapled esophagojejunostomy without a pursestring suture in patients with previous gastric resection
RD Adams, KB Allen, K Millikan, A Doolas and LP Faber
Department of Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery, Rush-Presbyterian- St. Luke's Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois 60612.
Previous gastric resection complicates alimentary tract reconstruction
after esophagectomy. Colonic interposition is the standard conduit in this
circumstance, but has substantial mortality and morbidity, especially
important when treatment goals are to provide effective alimentation and
minimize hospital stay. This report details the technique of a
transabdominal, intrathoracic, stapled esophagojejunostomy created without
a pursestring suture, which was used to reconstruct the esophagus in 3
patients who had previously undergone partial gastrectomy. This technique
avoids both colon interposition and thoracotomy, thereby minimizing the
associated complications.