Oesophagectomy for carcinoma of the oesophagus and oesophagogastric junction

Objective: Oesophageal carcinoma has a poor prognosis; surgical resection r emains the only chance of cure but is still associated with a significant m orbidity and mortality. The aim of this study was to review the results of one surgeon for oesophageal resection for carcinoma of the oesophagus and o esophagogastric junction over a 23 year period. Methods: Between January 19 74 and December 1996, 591 patients (408 males; 183 females; mean age 66 yea rs) underwent an oesophageal resection for carcinoma of the oesophagus or o esophagogastric junction. Results: In hospital mortality was 8.8% (52/591). This has decreased to less than 5% for resections between 1985 and 1996. N on-fatal complications occurred in 21% of patients (123/591). Survival, inc luding in hospital mortality (+/-SEM), was 53.98% (+/-2), 31.77% (+/-2) and 15.3% (+/-2) at 1, 2 and 5 years respectively. Conclusion: Early mortality following oesophageal resection has fallen in recent years. Despite consid erable experience, long term survival remains disappointingly low. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.