Page 21 - Head and neck surgery

ADVANTAGES OF TOTAL ESOPHAGECTOMY

Since the tumour in the cervico-thoracic region cannot be adequately exposed, total

esophagectomy ensures adequate distal resection margin in the esophagus.

In removing the entire esophagus, the risk of second primary development is

eliminated.

Gastric and colonic transposition flaps were the options of choice for

reconstruction after tumour extirpation. Hence the entire esophagus had to be

removed to make way for the gastric tube / colon, usually via orthotopic route to

the neck for a single pharyngo-gastric anastomosis.

Tumour resection and reconstruction can be achieved in a single operation.