PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to describe a novel technique for thoracoscopic construction of an intrathoracic esophagogastrostomy using a circular stapler. DESCRIPTION: Conventional method for construction of the esophagogastric anastomosis requires placement of the anvil through an esophageal stump and securing it with a pursestring suture. Advances in stapler technology now permit the anvil to be placed transorally and positioned at the esophageal stump without the need for a pursestring suture. EVALUATION: Ten patients underwent laparoscopic and thoracoscopic esophagectomy with construction of an intrathoracic esophagogastric anastomosis using a circular stapler technique. The anvil was placed transorally in all patients without difficulty. There were no operative complications or postoperative leaks. CONCLUSIONS: The transoral placement of the anvil during thoracoscopic construction of an esophagogastrostomy is technically feasible and may facilitate the performance of the esophagogastric anastomosis using a circular stapler.
PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to describe a novel technique for thoracoscopic construction of an intrathoracic esophagogastrostomy using a circular stapler. DESCRIPTION: Conventional method for construction of the esophagogastric anastomosis requires placement of the anvil through an esophageal stump and securing it with a pursestring suture. Advances in stapler technology now permit the anvil to be placed transorally and positioned at the esophageal stump without the need for a pursestring suture. EVALUATION: Ten patients underwent laparoscopic and thoracoscopic esophagectomy with construction of an intrathoracic esophagogastric anastomosis using a circular stapler technique. The anvil was placed transorally in all patients without difficulty. There were no operative complications or postoperative leaks. CONCLUSIONS: The transoral placement of the anvil during thoracoscopic construction of an esophagogastrostomy is technically feasible and may facilitate the performance of the esophagogastric anastomosis using a circular stapler.
Authors: Benjamin M Motz; Patrick D Lorimer; Danielle Boselli; James T Symanowski; Mark K Reames; Joshua S Hill; Jonathan C Salo Journal: J Gastrointest Surg Date: 2019-01-08 Impact factor: 3.452