Oesophagogastrectomy and total gastrectomy for carcinoma of the stomach. A plea for subdiaphragmatic resection
Van Rensburg, L.C.
South African Medical Journal 60(20): 773-777
1981
ISSN/ISBN: 0256-9574 PMID: 7302737 Document Number: 170192
Carcinoma of the stomach which involves the gastro-esophageal junction or cardia is usually advanced by the time the diagnosis is made; resection is therefore often only palliative in nature. Resection is usually performed by a thoraco-abdominal incision. Unfortunately there is a high risk of anastomotic leukage after a total or subtotal proximal gastrectomy; if this occurs within the chest, mortality and morbidity are very high. A plea is made for a purely abdominal approach.