Transhiatal oesophagectomy: a comparison of alternative techniques in 68 patients.

Over a 7-year period 68 patients with oesophageal carcinoma underwent transhiatal oesophagectomy, utilizing blunt dissection in 42 cases and eversion stripping in 26. The effects of the alternative techniques on mortality and morbidity have been analysed. There was no significant difference between the two techniques in terms of operative blood loss or time or the number of patients requiring post-operative ventilatory support. Stripping of the oesophagus was associated with significantly fewer cardiorespiratory complications and a shorter hospital stay. There was no significant difference in either 30-day or 3-month survival. Eversion stripping should become the preferred method of oesophageal resection once the primary tumour has been mobilized.