Current status of pharyngolaryngo-esophagectomy and pharyngogastric anastomosis

Abstract

The hospital mortality has decreased from 31% to 9%, and the incidence of morbidity such as anastomotic leakage and bleeding has also been reduced, from 20% to 10%. This may be related to the introduction of transthoracic endoscopic mobilization of the esophagus and patient selection. The overall minor morbidity has, however, remained at about 49%, and the 5-year actuarial survival rate has improved, from 18% in the 1970s to 24.5% at present.