Extented esophago-gastretomy as surgical treatment for carcinoma of the cardia.

With the object of designing a feasible and more radical surgical intervention for the treatment of carcinoma of the gastric cardia and improving the long term survival of these patients, a procedure was described which entails total esophagogastrectomy and resection of the distal pancreas, spleen and regional lymphnodes. The esophagus was mobilized via the diaphragmatic hiatus without thoracotomy. Intestinal continuity, installed isoperistaltically was restituted in the same operation using a segment of transverse and descending colon transferred to the left lateral cervical aspect by way of the posterior mediastinum. The procedure was used in four patients and mortality and serious complications were nil.