Results of the surgical treatment of carcinoma of the esophagus
Launois, B.; Paul, J.L.; Lygidakis, N.J.; Campion, J.P.; Malledant, Y.; Grossetti, D.; Delarue, D.
Surgery Gynecology and Obstetrics 156(6): 753-760
1983
ISSN/ISBN: 0039-6087 PMID: 6190237 Document Number: 203846
Between 1972 and 1980, 360 patients were operated upon for the treatment of carcinoma of the esophagus at this university hospital. By adopting a policy of routine endoscopy in all patients with minor esophageal symptoms, early diagnosis was possible. Nutritional and respiratory support preoperatively and postoperatively diminished anastomotic leakages and pulmonary complications. We were able to lower our mortality from 17.6 to 2.6 per cent and to increase our resectablity rate from 60.2 to 85.0 per cent. It is still too early to determine if the Akiyama technique, while permitting an improvement of the results, will increase the five year survival rate.