LAPAROSCOPIC TRANSHIATAL ESOPHAGECTOMY WITH ESOPHAGOGASTROPLASTY

Twelve patients with benign and malignant esophageal diseases were tre ated by transhiatal esophagectomy, without thoracotomy, using abdomina l-mediastinal dissection conducted by videolaparoscopy. A cervical app roach was used to retrieve the esophagus and to perform the esophagoga stric anastomosis. The procedure was indicated in patients with advanc ed achalasia of the esophagus, severe reflux stenosis, squamous cell c arcinoma, and adenocarcinoma of the esophagus. Three pleural perforati ons occurred during surgery. Blood loss was minimal. One patient requi red conversion to open surgery, two patients were submitted to chest d rainage, and three had transitory dysphonia. One patient had an anasto motic leak with subsequent stenosis requiring endoscopic dilatation. N o mortality occurred in this small series.