倉科 憲太郎

Background: The development of new surgical instruments and devices has facilitated the performance of esophagojej-unostomy after total gastrectomy. However, total prevention of dehiscence of anastomoses remains difficult. We introduced a new procedure for esophagojejunostomy using a circular stapler, requiring sacrifice of only a small part of the jejunum. Methods: The study group comprised 390 consecutive patients who underwent reconstruction by Roux-en-Y esophagojejunostomy, performed with a circular stapler, sacrificing a small part of the jejunum after total gastrectomy. We assessed anastomotic leakage and anastomotic stenosis after surgery. Results: Only 2 patients (0.5%) had leakage and 4 (1.0%) had anastomotic stenosis after reconstruction. All the patients were cured by conservative therapy. Conclusions: Esophagojejunostomy performed with a circular stapler after total gastrectomy, with sacrifice of only a small part of the jejunum, is a useful and easy procedure, with a leakage rate of 0.5%. Copyright (c) 2007 S. Karger AG, Basel

The patient was a 75-year-old man. Under a diagnosis of angina pectoris, he was being treated with aspirin and ticlopidine hydrochloride at a local clinic. Severe postprandial pharyngeal/thoracic pain and hematemesis occurred. Upper digestive tract endoscopy revealed an extensive submucosal hematoma involving the esophageal orifice and cardia. Computed tomography (CT) scan did not show aortic dissociation or mediastinal emphysema. Antiplatelet therapy was discontinued, and follow-up was continued by fasting and conservative treatment with an H2-blocker. Ten days after onset, endoscopy showed the disappearance of the hematoma, and ingestion was started. Twenty-two days after onset, endoscopy revealed regeneration and cicatrization of the esophageal mucosa. In a detailed examination of heart diseases, angina pectoris was ruled out therefore, antiplatelet therapy was discontinued. There has been no recurrent esophageal submucosal hematoma for 4 years of follow-up. © Japan Esophageal Society and Springer-Verlag 2005.