Transhiatal esophagectomy for squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus

Eighty patients underwent transhiatal esophagectomy for squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus. Dysphagia for solids was the presenting symptom in 90% of the patients. The standard technique of transhiatal esophagectomy was used and cervical anastomosis were hand sewn. The average operative time and blood loss were 190 min and 350 cc respectively. The 30 day mortality rate was 7.5% (six patients). Major respiratory complications were observed in 15 (18.7%) patients. Anastomotic leak rate was 10% (eight patients). The incidence of recurrent laryngeal nerve injury was 6.2% (five patients). The average hospital stay was 14 days. Four patients had stage I, 30 had stage II and 46 had stage III disease. Forty-nine patients (60%) had lymph node involvement. The overall actual survival at 2 years was 55% and at 5 years was 37%. Of the operative survivors, 87% patients resumed normal swallowing and 10 patients (13.5%) required dilatation for anastomotic stricture. Transhiatal esophagectomy can be performed with low operative mortality, acceptable morbidity and offers good long-term functional results without compromising the survival of patients.