Partial ou total esophagectomy without thoracotomy has been used with greater frequency for the last few years to treat benign affections, specially advanced megaesophagus. Although this procedure presents the advantages of avoiding compromise of lung dynamics, it is not free complications. Among these, we have to emphasize the opening of pleura with hemopneumothorax, together with the potential aggression to other organs in the mediastinum, with a significant postoperative morbidity. On the other hand, in advanced megaesophagus, stasis esophagitis may lead to carcinoma. Based on these considerations, it was proposed, previously in animals and human beings, mucosal and submucosal removal by complete invagination, without thoracotomy. These results were satisfactory in experimental surgery and encouraged the beginning of the clinical experience area. Thus, the aim of the present work is to show, by a detailed analysis, the tecnique of esophageal mucosal and submucosa removal from the muscular layer, main taining it complete at the mediastinum. This procedure was performed by a cervicoabdominal approach in 60 patients with grade III and IV megaesophagus. The reconstruction of the gastrointestinal tract by the stomach transposition was performed through the posterior mediastinum inside the muscular layer or by retrosternal route. The study allowed us the following conclusions: 1) the mucosa removal by the submucosa, through invagination proved to be simple and seasible in 98,4% of the cases; 2) the absence of bleeding from the bed layer muscular esophagus, during or at immediate postoperative period; 3) The incidence of pleura and lung complications - (5,0%.) is low.
Esophagus surgery; Esofagectomy; Mega esophagus
