Esophagectomy without mortality: what can surgeons do?

J Gastrointest Surg. 2010 Feb:14 Suppl 1:S101-7. doi: 10.1007/s11605-009-1028-y. Epub 2009 Sep 23.

Abstract

Introduction: Surgical resection remains the mainstay treatment for patients with localized esophageal cancer. It is, however, a complex procedure. Mortality rate used to be high, but in recent years, death rate has been reduced to below 5% in specialized centers.

Methods: Outcome of esophagectomy can be improved by paying attention to (1) appropriate patient section, (2) choice of surgical techniques and their execution, and (3) optimizing perioperative care. A volume-outcome relationship is also evident. Surgeons can perform esophagectomy without mortality, but a multi-disciplinary team management is essential to achieve this goal.

MeSH terms

  • Clinical Competence
  • Esophageal Neoplasms / surgery*
  • Esophagectomy / methods
  • Esophagectomy / mortality
  • Esophagectomy / statistics & numerical data*
  • Humans
  • Patient Care Team
  • Patient Selection
  • Perioperative Care
  • Risk Assessment