Methods: The authors retrospectively review 22 patients with irresectable esophageal cancer in whom an isoperistaltic substernal gastric esophagogastric bypass was performed.
Results: After the operation eighteen patients (82%) regained normal swallowing. Seven patients developed anastomotic stenosis that was successfully treated in six by surgery or endoscopic dilatation. Two patients evolved with cervical fistulae until their death. As a whole, there was a statistically significant improvement in swallowing capability (p = 0.0352). Seventeen patients (77%) had postoperative complications, the most common being cervical fistulae (in 13.59%), pneumonia (in 10.45%) and anastomotic stenosis (in 7.32%). Postoperative morbidity was significantly associated with preoperative diseases and ASA class III (p < 0.05). There were three postoperative deaths (14%). Postoperative mortality was significantly related to severe malnutrition and preoperative associated disease (p < 0.05).
Conclusions: The conclusion is that the procedure has acceptable morbidity and mortality for the population under consideration, permitting palliation of dysphagia in the majority of cases.