[Total esophagectomy and colon transplantation in treatment of upper neck esophageal carcinoma. Report of 16 cases].

Sixteen patients with carcinoma of the upper neck esophagus were treated by total esophagectomy and replacement with transverse colon in this hospital from 1982 to 1989. The operative morbidity rate was 18.7% and no death occurred. There were 8 patients with lesion longer than 5 cm, 3 less than 3 cm, and 5 between 3 cm and 5 cm. The length between the tumor and the proximal margin of resection was less than 2 cm in 5 patients, between 2 and 4 cm in 8, and more than 4 cm in 3. No residual tumor was found pathologically at stumps. Follow-up study showed that 5 patients survived more than 5 years, 5 patients 3 to 5 years, 6 patients less than 3 years. The maneuver and advantages of the operation were introduced and the problems concerning the prevention of operative complication were investigated.