Published online Dec 27, 2014. doi: 10.4240/wjgs.v6.i12.235
Revised: October 9, 2014
Accepted: November 17, 2014
Published online: December 27, 2014
AIM: To demonstrate a new surgical technique of lower mediastinal lymphadenectomy and intrathoracic anastomosis of esophagojejunostomy using OrVil™.
METHODS: After a total median phrenotomy, the supradiaphragmatic and lower thoracic paraesophageal lymph nodes were transhiatally dissected. The esophagus was cut off using a liner stapler and OrVil™was inserted. Finally, end-to-side esophagojejunostomy was created by using a circular stapler. From July 2009, we adopted this surgical technique for five patients with gastric cancer involving the lower esophagus.
RESULTS: The median operation time was 314 min (range; 210-367 min), and median blood loss was 210 mL (range; 100-838 mL). The median numbers of dissected lower mediastinal nodes were 3 (range; 1-10). None of the patients had postoperative complications including anastomotic leakage and stenosis. The median hospital stay was 16 d (range: 15-20 d). The median length of esophageal involvement was 14 mm (range: 6-48 mm) and that of the resected esophagus was 40 mm (range: 35-55 mm); all resected specimens had tumor-free margins.
CONCLUSION: This surgical technique is easy and safe intrathoracic anastomosis for the patients with gastric adenocarcinoma involving the lower esophagus.
Core tip: We report a new technique of lower intrathoracic anastomosis through the transhiatal approach using OrVil™ for five patients with gastric adenocarcinoma involving the esophagus. This surgical technique is an easy and safe method to create lower intrathoracic anastomosis.