[Measurement of the length of the adult esophagus using a fiberogastroscope: 104 cases].

From May 1979 to July 1985, the length of the esophagus in 104 patients with gastric disease was measured by a WX-C3 type fiberogastroscope. The result of measurement showed that the average length from the upper incisors to the cardia was 44.4 cm, and that from the upper end of the esophagus to the cardia was 28.0 cm. These measurement were respectively 4.4 cm and 3.0 cm longer than the traditional data (P less than 0.01). The difference in the length of the esophagus may be explained on the basis that measurement by rigid esophagoscope is in a straight line, while that by flexible fiberogastroscope is in a curvedline. Positive correlation between the length of the esophagus and the height of body was found in 91.3% of the cases. These data are of importance in the accurate localization of esophageal lesions.