Cancer of the cardia: value of total gastrectomy with partial esophagectomy by laparotomy-right thoracotomy.

Introduction: Surgical resection of cardial and subcardial cancers is often associated with pathological involvement of esophageal section margin, res ulting in early anastomotic recurrences. Total gastrectomy associated with partial esophagectomy through combined abdominal and right thoracic approac h allows esophageal section under azygos vein. Patients and methods: We stu died, in 17 patients operated on using this procedure, post-operative morbi dity, mortality and anastomotic relapse. Results: No post-operative death, fistula or anastomotic relapse have beep observed. Two patients exhibited b enign infectious post-operative complication. Conclusion: Total gastrectomy with partial esophagectomy through combined abdominal and right thoracic a pproach seems therefore to be considered as a good alternative in the surgi cal management of cardial and subcardial carcinomas.