Vagal integrity in vagal-sparing esophagectomy: a cadaveric study.

Esophagectomy is associated with a significant number of complications, some of them related to the concomitant vagotomy. The vagal-sparing esophagectomy is an attractive alternative to the conventional procedure; however, few clinical series have attested the integrity of the vagi nerves after esophagectomy. The surgical anatomy of the vagus in the mediastinum has received little interest as well. The anatomy of the vagus was studied in 30 fresh cadavers. Twenty cadavers were submitted to a vagal-sparing esophagectomy, and after the procedure, anatomical vagal integrity was evaluated. Concerning the anatomy of the vagus, one or more vagal trunks were present in all cases. Four patterns were identified: Type I, two distinct trunks without communicating branches, present in eight (26.7%) cases; Type II, two distinct trunks with communicating branches, present in 17 (56.7%) cases; Type III, one or more bifurcated trunks, present in four (13.3%) cases; and Type IV, crossing trunks, present in one (3.3%) case. Regarding the esophagectomy, operative accidents were not noticed; in five cases, there was incomplete removal of the muscular layer of the esophagus. In all cases vagi nerves were preserved. The vagus is preserved in a cadaveric model of the vagal sparing esophagectomy, irrespective of the anatomy of the vagus in the mediastinum.