INTRODUCTION We encountered a case of advanced thoracic esophageal cancer in which R0 resection was achieved by salvage esophagectomy with pancreatectomy, but relapse occurred in the early postoperative phase. PRESENTATION OF CASE A 64-year-old man with lower intrathoracic esophageal cancer received chemoradiotherapy, and a complete response was achieved. Subsequently, however, lymph node rel...

Various surgical procedures are performed for benign and malignant esophageal lesions. These procedures include transthoracic esophageal resection through a right or left thoracotomy and transhiatal blunt esophageal resection (esophagectomy) without thoracotomy. The whole stomach, colon, gastric tube, jejunum, and free revascularized grafts may be used as substitutes for the resected esophagus....

Patients with esophageal atresia (EA) suffer from abnormal and permanent esophageal intrinsic and extrinsic innervation that affects severely esophageal motility. The repair of EA also results in esophageal shortening that affects distal esophageal sphincter mechanism. Consequently, gastroesophageal reflux (GER) is common in these patients, overall approximately half of them suffer from symptom...

Advanced esophageal tumors have been a challenge for surgery since the very beginning, and these challenges continue still today. In the early period of three-field lymphadenectomy (late 1980s), there was no special attention paid to tracheal necrosis after such an extended operation. In 1988, we reported functional mediastinal dissection preserving the right bronchial artery to prevent such co...

Esophageal resection remains the only curative option in high grade dysplasia of the Barrett esophagus and non metastasized esophageal cancer. In addition, it may also be an adequate treatment in selected cases of benign disease. A wide variety of minimally invasive procedures have become available in esophageal surgery. Aim of the present review article is to evaluate minimally invasive proced...

The principal aim of this research was to find ways to improve the quality of life of esophageal cancer patients after surgical treatment and to reduce persisting symptoms that often occur after that procedure. Since esophageal cancer surgery is extensive and carries a poor long-term prognosis, it is relevant to assess quality of life and complications as outcome measures. In three of four stud...

Japanese style radical operation for esophageal cancer with extended lymph node dissection has improved the prognosis of the disease. However, because of its considerable morbidity and long-standing postoperative problems, a less invasive strategy has been sought for years, particularly for earlier stage patients. The application of the Sentinel Node (SN) concept to esophageal surgery is one of...

A 4-year-old boy was admitted to our hospital with a 4-year history of vomiting and bucking. He had a diagnosis of esophageal atresia at Day 2 after birth and underwent surgery. Stricture formed 1 year after surgery. Prior to admission, he had undergone balloon dilation four times, stenting twice, and surgery once. Esophageal barium meal examination showed two strictures in the middle and lower...

Definitive chemoradiotherapy has been demonstrated to offer a chance of cure for esophageal cancer as often as a radical esophagectomy. However, it is generally accepted that an esophagectomy remains the mainstay of treatment for patients with resectable esophageal cancer, while chemoradiotherapy is the standard for patients with medically inoperable or surgically unresectable esophageal cancer...

High-resolution manometry (HRM) is the primary method used to evaluate esophageal motor function. Displayed and interpreted by esophageal pressure topography (EPT), HRM/ EPT provides a detailed assessment of esophageal function that is useful in the evaluation of patients with nonobstructive dysphagia and before foregut surgery. Esophageal motility diagnoses are determined systematically by app...