BACKGROUND: To describe the main reconstruction techniques of the alimentary tract after esophagectomy due to esophagus cancer in patients enrolled. METHODS: We analyzed retrospectively 68 patients submitted to the esophagectomy between february of 1997 and november of 2005. All of the patients included in the study were submitted to the reconstruction with gastric tube and colon segment and cervical anastomosis. RESULTS: The mean age was 55,4 years (25-74 years). 50 patients were of male gender and 18 patients of female gender. 27 patients presented the tumor localized in the medium esophagus and 41 patients in the distal esophagus, being epidermoid carcinoma in 35 patients and adenocarcinoma in 33 patients. The ressection was performed through transthoracic access in 35 individuals and through transhiatal access in 33. The reconstruction with gastric tube was performed in 58 patients and with colonic tube in 10 patients. The series total morbidity was 52,9%. The operative mortality was 5,8%. The mean survival was of 35 months. CONCLUSION: The esophagectomy with reconstruction with gastric tube and cervical anastomosis is feasible technically; being a routine procedure realized in the patients carriers of esophagus cancer with surgical indication. The reconstruction with the colonic tube is indicated mainly for the patients without possibility of the stomach use for reconstruction of the alimentary tract, being a valid option and with excellent results.
Esophageal neoplasms; Gastrointestinal Tract; Esophagectomy; Gastroplasty
