Abstract

Results of esophagectomy among patients with esophageal cancer and Barrett esophagus Background: The incidence of esophageal carcinoma has increased notoriously worldwide. Aim: To assess clinical features, immediate surgical results and long term survival of patients with esophageal carcinoma and Barrett esophagus. Material and Methods: Retrospective review of medical records of all patients operated for esophageal carcinoma, between 1996 y 2011. Results: The records of 53 patients aged 58 a 9 years (45 males) were analyzed. The number of operated patients increased from 7 in the period 1968-1983 to 31 in the period 2004-2011. Peritoneal metastases were found in two patients, precluding a resection. Video assisted trans-hiatal approach was the most commonly used technique followed by minimally invasive thoracoscopic and laparoscopic surgery. Transit reconstruction was performed ascending the stomach to the neck in 90% of patients. The average length of Barrett esophagus was 7.4 cm and the mean number of excised lymph nodes was 19. Ten patients had an incipient cancer and their five years survival was 80%. The survival of those with tumors involving the muscular layer and those with transmural cancer was 25 and 5%, respectively. Conclusions: There is an increase in the incidence of esophageal cancer in the last 10 years. The survival after surgery is highly dependent on the invasiveness of the tumor.