Skip to main content

Transthoracic Versus Transhiatal Resection for Carcinoma of the Esophagus

  • Chapter
Difficult Decisions in Thoracic Surgery

Abstract

Esophageal carcinoma is still a dreadful disease with a dismal prognosis. Surgery remains the mainstay of curative treatment. Optimizing the surgical treatment of esophageal cancer patients consists of different strategies such as early diagnosis, optimal patient selection, optimal perioperative care, and possibly the application of (neo)adjuvant chemoradiation therapy. The treatment of esophageal carcinoma therefore warrants a multidisciplinary approach to optimize care for these patients.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 129.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Preview

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

References

  1. Hulscher JBF, Tijssen JG, Obertop H, Van Lanschot JJ. Transthoracic versus transhiatal resection for carcinoma of the esophagus: a metaanalysis. Ann Thorac Surg 2001;72:306–313.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  2. Goldminc M, Maddern G, LePrise E, Meunier B, Campion JP, Launois B. Oesophagectomy by transhiatal approach or thoracotomy: a prospective randomized trial. Br J Surg 1993;80:367–370.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  3. Chu KM, Law SY, Fok M, Wong J. A prospective randomized comparison of transhiatal and transthoracic resection for lower-third esophageal carcinoma. Am J Surg 1997;174:320–324.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  4. Jacobi CA, Zieren HU, Müller M, Pichlmaier H. Surgical therapy of oesophageal carcinoma: the influence of surgical approach and oesophageal resection on cardiopulmonary function. Eur J Cardiothoracic Surg 1997;11:32–37.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  5. Junginger T, Dutkowski P. Selective approach to the treatment of oesophageal cancer. Br J Surg 1996;83:1473–1477.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  6. Horstmann O, Verreet PR, Becker H, Ohmann C, Röher HD. Transhiatal oesophagectomy compared with transthoracic resection and systematic lymphadenectomy for the treatment of oesophageal cancer. Eur J Surg 1995;161:557–567.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  7. Svanes K, Stangeland L, Viste A, Varhaug JE, Gronbech JE, Soreide O. Morbidity, ability to swallow, and survival, after oesophagectomy for cancer of the oesophagus and cardia. Eur J Surg 1995;161:669–675.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  8. Tilanus HW, Hop WCJ, Langenhorst BLAM, Van Lanschot JJB. Esophagectomy with or without thoracotomy. J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 1993;105:898–903.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  9. Bonavina L. Early oesophageal cancer: results of a European multicentre survey. Br J Surg 1995;82:98–101.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  10. Paç M, Basoglu A, Koçak H, et al. Transhiatal versus transthoracic esophagectomy for oesophageal cancer. J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 1993;106:205–209.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  11. Putnam JB, Suell DM, McMurtey MJ, et al. Comparison of three techniques of esophagectomy within a residency training program. Ann Thorac Surg 1994;57:319–325.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  12. Thomas P, Doddoli C, Lienne P, et al. Changing patterns and surgical results in adenocarcinoma of the oesophagus. Br J Surg 1997;84:119–125.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  13. Millikan KW, Silverstein J, Hart V, et al. A 15-year review of esophagectomy for carcinoma of the oesophagus and cardia. Arch Surg 1995;30:617–624.

    Google Scholar 

  14. Daniel TM, Fleisher KJ, Flanagan TL, Tribble CG, Kron IL. Transhiatal esophagectomy: a safe alternative for selected patients. Ann Thorac Surg 1992;54:686–690.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  15. Gluch L, Smith RC, Bambach CP, Brown AR. Comparison of outcomes following transhiatal or Ivor Lewis esophageactomy for oesophageal carcinoma. World J Surg 1999;23:271–276.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  16. Moon MR, Schulte WJ, Haasler GB, Condon RE. Transhiatal and transthoracic esophagectomy for adenocarcinoma of the oesophagus. Arch Surg 1992;127:951–955.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  17. Jauch KW, Bacha EA, Denecke H, Anthuber M, Schildberg FW. Oesophageal carcinoma: prognostic features and comparison between blunt transhiatal dissection and transthoracic resection. Eur J Surg Oncol 1992;18:553–562.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  18. Bolton JS, Ochsner JL, Abdoh A. Surgical management of esophageal cancer: a decade of change. Ann Surg 1994;219:475–480.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  19. Pommier RF, Vetto JT, Ferris BL, Wilmarth TJ. Relationships between operative approaches and outcomes in esophageal cancer. Am J Surg 1998;175:422–425.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  20. Hagen JA, Peters JH, DeMeester TR. Superiority of extended en bloc oesophagectomy for carcinoma of the lower esophagus and cardia. J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 1993;106:850–859.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  21. Torres AJ, Sanchez-Pernaute A, Hernande F, et al. Two-field radical lymphadenectomy in the treatment of esophageal carcinoma. Dis Esophagus 1999;12:137–143.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  22. Hansson LE, Gustavsson S, Haglund U. Postoperative morbidity and mortality after surgical treatment of advanced carcinoma of the oesophagus and the gastro-oesophageal junction. Dig Surg 1997;14:506–511.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  23. Stark SP, Romberg MS, Pierce GE, et al. Transhiatal versus transthoracic oesophagectomy for adenocarcinoma of the distal esophagus and cardia. Am J Surg 1996;172:478–482.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  24. Berdejo L. Transhiatal versus transthoracic oesophagectomy for clinical stage I oesophageal carcinoma. Hepatogastroenterology 1995;42:789–791.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  25. Naunheim KS, Hanosh J, Zwishenberger J, et al. Esophagectomy in the septuagenarian. Ann Thorac Surg 1993;56:880–884.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  26. Collard JM, Otte JB, Reynaert M, Fiasse R, Kestens PJ. Feasibility and effectiveness of en bloc resection of the oesophagus for oesophageal cancer. Results of a prospective study. Int Surg 1991;76:209–213.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  27. Liedman BL, Bennegard K, Olbe LC, Lundell LR. Predictors of postoperative morbidity and mortality after surgery for gastro-oesophageal carcinomas. Eur J Surg 1995;161:173–180.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  28. Griffin SM, Woods SDS, Chan A, Chung SCS, Li AKC. Early and late surgical complications of subtotal oesophagectomy for squamous cell carcinoma of the oesophagus. J R Coll Surg Edinb 1991;36:170–173.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  29. Sharpe DAC, Moghissi K. Resectional surgery in carcinoma of the oesophagus and cardia: what influences long-term survival? Eur J Cardiothorac Surg 1996;10:359–364.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  30. Wang LS, Huang MH, Huang BS, Chien KY. Gastric substitution for respectable carcinoma of the esophagus: an analysis of 368 cases. Ann Thorac Surg 1992;53:289–294.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  31. Rahamin J, Cham CW. Oesophagogastrectomy for carcinoma of the oesophagus and cardia. Br J Surg 1993;80:1305–1309.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  32. Lerut T, DeLeyn P, Coosemans W, Raemdonck D van, Scheys I, LeSaffre E. Surgical strategies in esophageal carcinoma with emphasis on radical lymphadenectomy. Ann Surg 1992;216:583–590.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  33. Sutton DN, Wayman J, Griffin SM. Learning curve for oesophageal cancer surgery. Br J Surg 1998;85:1399–1402.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  34. Tsutsui S, Moriguchi S, Morita M, et al. Multivariate analysis of postoperative complications after esophageal resection. Ann Thorac Surg 1992;53:1052–1056.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  35. Mannell A, Becker PJ. Evaluation of the results of oesophagectomy for oesophageal cancer. Br J Surg 1991;78:36–40.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  36. Page RD, Khalil JF, Whyte RI, Kaplan DK, Donnelly RJ. Esophagogastrectomy via left thoracophrenotomy. Ann Thorac Surg 1990;49:763–766.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  37. Altorki NK, Skinner DB. En bloc esophagectomy: the first 100 patients. Hepatogastroenterology 1990;37:360–363.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  38. Ahmed ME. The surgical management and outcome of oesophageal cancer in Khartoum. J R Coll Surg Edinb 1993;38:16–18.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  39. Lozac’h P, Topart P, Etienne J, Charles JF. Ivor Lewis operation for epidermoid carcinoma of the esophagus. Ann Thorac Surg 1991;52:1154–1157.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  40. Paricio PP, Marcilla JAG, Haro LM de, Escandell MAO, Escrig GC. Results of surgical treatment of epidermoid carcinoma of the thoracic esophagus. Surg Gynecol Obstet 1993;177:398–404.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  41. Orringer MB, Marshall B, Iannettoni MD. Transhiatal esophagectomy: clinical experience and refinements. Ann Surg 1999;230:392–403.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  42. Gupta NM. Oesophagectomy without thoracotomy: first 250 patients. Eur J Surg 1996;162:455–461.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  43. Moreno GE, Garcia GI, Pinto GAI, et al. Results of transhiatal oesophagectomy in cancer of the esophagus and other diseases. Hepatogastroenterology 1992;39:439–442.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  44. Gelfland GAJ, Finley RJ, Nelems B, Inculet R, Evans KG, Fradet G. Transhiatal esophagectomy for carcinoma of the oesophagus and cardia. Arch Surg 1992;127:1164–1168.

    Google Scholar 

  45. Gürkan N, Terzioglu T, Tezelman S, Sasman O. Transhiatal oesophagectomy for esophageal cancer. Br J Surg 1991;78:1348–1351.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  46. Vigneswaran WT, Trastek VF, Pairolero PC, Deschamps C, Daly RC, Allen MS. Transhiatal esophagectomy for carcinoma of the oesophagus. Ann Thorac Surg 1993;56:838–846.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  47. Gillinov AM, Heitmiller RF. Strategies to reduce pulmonary complications after transhiatal esophagectomy. Dis Esophagus 1998;11:43–47.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  48. Gertsch P, Vauthey JN, Lustenberger AA, Friedlander-Klar. Long-term results of transhiatal esophagectomy for esophageal carcinoma. Cancer 1993;72:2312–2319.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  49. Dudhat SB, Shinde SR. Transhiatal esophagectomy for squamous cell carcinoma of the oesophagus. Dis Esophagus 1998;11:226–230.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  50. Beik AI, Jaffray B, Anderson JR. Transhiatal oesophagectomy: a comparison of alternative techniques in 68 patients. J R Coll Surg Edinb 1996;25:25–29.

    Google Scholar 

  51. Gottley DC, Beard J, Cooper MJ, Britton DC, Williamson RCN. Abdominocervical (transhiatal) oesophagectomy in the management of oesophageal carcinoma. Br J Surg 1990;77:815–819.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  52. Law SY, Fok M, Cheng SW, Wong J. A comparison of outcome after resection for squamous carcinomas and adenocarcinomas of the esophagus and cardia. Surg Gynecol Obstet 1992;175:107–112.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  53. Hulscher JBF, Van Sandick JW, Tijssen TP, Obertop H, Van Lanschot JJ. The recurrence pattern after transhiatal resection. J Am Coll Surg 2000;191:143–148.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  54. Ellis FH, Heatley GJ, Krasna MJ, Williamson WA, Balogh K. Esophagogastrctomy for carcinoma of the esophagus and cardia: a comparison of findings and results after standard resection in three consecutive eight-year intervals with improved staging criteria. J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 1997;113:836–848.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  55. Kleinbaum DG, Kupper LL, Morgenstern H. Epidemiologic research: Principles and Quantitative Methods. New York: Van Nostrand Reinhold, 1982.

    Google Scholar 

  56. Hulscher JBF, Van Sandick JW, de Boer AG, et al. Extended transthoracic resection compared with limited transhiatal resection for adenocarcinoma of the esophagus. N Engl J Med 2002;347:1662–1669.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  57. Steup WH, De Leyn P, Deneffe G, Van Raemdonck D, Coosemans W, Lerut T. Tumours of the esophagogastric junction. Long-term survival in relation to the pattern of lymph node metastasis and a critical analysis of the accuracy of pTNM classification. J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 1996;111:85–95.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  58. Van Sandick JW, Van Lanschot JJB, Ten Kate FJW, Tijssen JGW, Obertop H. Indicators of prognosis after transhiatal esophageal resection without thoracotomy for cancer. J Am Coll Surg 2002;114:28–36.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  59. Abe S, Tachibana M, Shiraishi M, Nakamura T. Lymph node metastasis in resectable esophageal cancer. J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 1990;100:287–291.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  60. Matsubara T, Ueda M, Nagao N, Takahashi T, Nakajima T, Nishi M. Cervicothoracic approach for total meso-esophageal dissection in cancer of the thoracic esophagus. J Am Coll Surg 1998;187:238–245.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  61. Nishimaki T, Tanaka O, Suzuki T, Aizawa K, Hatakeyama K, Muto T. Patterns of lymphatic spread in thoracic esophageal cancer. Cancer 1994;74:4–11.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  62. Roder JD, Busch R, Stein HJ, Fink U, Siewert JR. Ratio of invaded to removed lymph nodes as a predictor of survival in squamous cell carcinoma of the oesophagus. Br J Surg 1994;81:410–413.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  63. Hulscher JB, Van Sandick JW, Offerhaus GJ, Tilanus HW, Obertop H, Van Lanschot JJ. Prospective analysis of the diagnostic yield of extended en bloc resection for adenocarcinoma of the oesophagus or gastric cardia. Br J Surg 2001;88:715–719.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  64. Earlam R, Cunha-Melo JR. Oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma: I. a critical review of surgery. Br J Surg 1980;67:381–390.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  65. Müller JM, Erasmi H, Stelzner M, Zieren U, Pichlmaier H. Surgical therapy of oesophageal carcinoma. Br J Surg 1990;77:845–857.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  66. Van Lanschot JJ, Hulscher JB, Buskens CJ, Tilanus HW, Ten Kate FJ, Obertop H. Hospital volume and hospital mortality for esophagectomy. Cancer 2001;91:1574–1578.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  67. Patti MG, Corvera CU, Glasgow RE, Way LW. A hospital’s annual rate of esophagectomy influences the operative mortality rate. J Gastrointest Surg 1998;2:186–192.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  68. Miller JD, Jain MK, De Gara CJ, Morgan D, Urschel JD. Effect of surgical experience on results of esophagectomy for esophageal carcinoma. J Surg Oncol 1997;65:20–21.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  69. Hulscher JBF, Van Sandick JW, DeVriese PP, Van Lanschot JJB, Obertop H. Vocal cord paralysis after subtotal oesophagectomy. Br J Surg 1999;86:1583–1586.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  70. Vigneswaran WT, Trastek VF, Pairolero PC, Deschamps C, Daly RC, Allen MS. Extended esophagectomy in the management of carcinoma of the upper thoracic esophagus. J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 1994;107:901–907.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  71. McLarty AJ, Deschamps C, Trastek VF, Allen MS, Pairolero PC, Harmsen WS. Esophageal resection for cancer of the esophagus: long-term function and quality of life. Ann Thorac Surg 1997;63:1568–1572.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  72. Hulscher JB, Van Lanschot JJ. Individualised surgical treatment of patients with an adenocarcinoma of the distal oesophagus or gastro-oesophageal junction. Dig Surg 2005;22:130–134.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  73. Westerterp M, Koppert LB, Buskens CJ, et al. Outcome of surgical treatment for early adenocaricnoma of the esophagus or gastro-esophageal junction. Virchows Arch 2005;446:497–504.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  74. Van Lanschot JJ, Bergman JJ. Tailored therapy for early Barrett’s lesions. Br J Surg 2005;92:791–792.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2007 Springer-Verlag London Limited

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Hulscher, J.B.F., van Lanschot, J.J.B. (2007). Transthoracic Versus Transhiatal Resection for Carcinoma of the Esophagus. In: Ferguson, M.K. (eds) Difficult Decisions in Thoracic Surgery. Springer, London. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-84628-474-8_25

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-84628-474-8_25

  • Publisher Name: Springer, London

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-84628-384-0

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-84628-474-8

  • eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)

Publish with us

Policies and ethics