Use of the EEA Stapler for the Cervical Esophagogastric or Esophagocolonic Anostomosis

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For most surgeons, stomach and colon are the first choice for reconstruction of the esophagus, as well as for bypass. When the esophagogastric or esophagocolonic anastomosis is made in the neck, cervical anastomosis site leakage is the main complication. In our most recent four patients who underwent a transhiatal & posterior mediastinal esophagogastric or esophagocolonic anastomoses following esophageal resection, we performed the cervical anastomoses with a circular EEA stapler. No leaks have developed at the anastomosis site. In these four patients the cancer was tiny and was located on the upper or middle third of the thoracic esophagus. A total esophagectomy was performed by blunt resection without thoracotomy. Surgical staplers have been used previously for esophagogastric anastomosis through a right thoracotomy with a very low rate of leakage. When the esophagogastric or esophagocolonic anastomosis is performed in the neck, the prevalence of leakage does not increase the postoperative mortality, but it can increase significantly the duration of hospitalization and morbidity. The use of the circular stapler allowed us to perform four consecutive cervical esophagogastric & esophagocolonic anastomoses without any leakage and to shorten the operating time.