Intrathoracic Linear Stapled Esophagogastric Anastomosis: An Alternative to the End to End Anastomosis

Minimally invasive esophagectomy (MIE) is gradually gaining acceptance as an oncological sound procedure. The advantages of MIE arise from avoidance of a thoracotomy or laparotomy, resulting in decreased pulmonary morbidity and generally a faster recovery, yet not compromising the surgical benefit of esophagectomy in patients with cancer of the esophagus. No single technique of esophagectomy has proven itself superior to another from either an oncologic or survival perspective. The MIE is a technically demanding procedure that requires advanced endoscopic skills, especially when performing an intrathoracic anastomosis. We present an alternative intrathoracic anastomotic technique to the commonly performed EEA anastomosis. (Ann Thorac Surg 2011;91:314-6) (C) 2011 by The Society of Thoracic Surgeons