Abstract

FONTES, Paulo Roberto Ott et al. Is it possible to reduce the fistula rate of the cervical esophagogastric anastomosis after oesophagectomy?. ABCD, arq. bras. cir. dig. [online]. 2008, vol.21, n.4, pp. 158-163. ISSN 0102-6720.  http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S0102-67202008000400002.

BACKGROUND: The esophageal cancer is the 6th cause of cancer-related death in Brazil, and esophagectomy is the cornerstone of the treatment, not only for the curative cases, but with palliative intent as well. The cervical fistula is a very frequent complication of the procedure with a related incidence between 0,8 and 47,8%. AIM: Prospective analysis to determine the success of a new alternative technique of cervical anastomosis. METHODS: Prospective analysis of 126 patients, distributed in two groups accordingly to the cervical anastomosis technique. Group A (n=96) had cervical anastomosis in two layers, the inner continuous type and outer isolated, followed by redundant tissue. Group B (n=25) had a technical variation with suture done without mucosa opening at first. RESULTS: This alternative technique for the cervical esophagogastric anastomosis presented zero fistulas. CONCLUSION: This alternative was efficient in decrease fistula rate because it allow best exposition and visualization of the anastomosis, facilitating the suture lines.

Keywords : Esophagectomy; Esophageal neoplasm.