[Advantages of left thoracic stomach interposition following esophagus resection for cancer].

From 1977 to 1984 esophageal resection and reconstruction by stomach due to squamous cell cancer of the esophagus was carried out by an abdomino-thoracic approach in 53 (A) and through a left-transthoracic approach in 57 (B) patients. Localisation and safety margins were practically identical: median orally A = 24, B = 29 mm, aborally A = 71, B = 49 mm. The overall lethality is significantly different: A = 41.5%, B = 22.8%. Without preoperative radiation or chemotherapy the mortality reaches in group A 39.5% and B 19.0%. Leakage rate in both groups is still high (A = 20.8%, B = 8.8%). However, the lethal respiratory insufficiency rate dropped from 15% (A) to 5% (B).