Esophagectomy – Removal of the esophagus – Resection of the esophagus

Description removal of the esophagus

Esophagectomy – surgery to remove the esophagus. The esophagus is a muscular tube, which stretches from the mouth to the stomach, through which food passes.

Reasons for removal of the esophagus

Resection esophagus can be used, to cure:

• Esophageal carcinoma;
• Benign tumors and cysts of the esophagus;
• Other gastric disorders.

Possible complications of removal of the esophagus

If you plan to esophagectomy, you need to know about possible complications, which may include:

• Bleeding;
• Blood clots;
• Infection;
• Sore throat;
• Adverse reaction to anesthesia;
• Leakage of fluid from the joints;
• Heart attack;

Factors, that may increase the risk of complications:

• Existing heart or lung disease;
• Advanced age;
• Obesity;
• Smoking;
• Diabetes;
• Excessive alcohol consumption.

We need to discuss these risks with your doctor before the procedure.

How is esophagectomy?

Preparation for the procedure

It can be carried out as follows:

• Medical checkup;
• Blood and urine tests;
• Chest X-ray – test, which uses X-rays to take pictures of organs inside the body;
• Ultrasonography – test, which uses sound waves to study the structures in the body;
• CT scan – such as X-rays, which uses computer, to make pictures of structures in the body;
• MRT – test, which uses magnetic waves, to make pictures of structures in the body;
• Upper endoscopy – a thin tube is inserted into the throat, to examine the esophagus;
• Prepared space for serving food through the small intestine (It can be done during the esophageal resection).

In the run-up to the procedure:

• Consult your doctor about the drugs taken. A week before surgery you may be asked to stop taking some medicines:
  • Anti-inflammatory drugs (eg, aspirin);
  • Blood thinners, such as clopidogrel (Plaviks) or warfarin;
• We need to organize a trip home from the hospital and care at home for a period of recovery;
• On the eve of the evening before surgery you can eat a light meal. Do not eat or drink anything after midnight;
• Your doctor may prescribe:
  • Use an enema, to cleanse the bowel;
  • Follow a special diet;
  • Take antibiotics or other medicines;
  • Take a shower with antibacterial soap the night before surgery.

Anesthesia

It will be used general anesthesia. It will block pain and will support you in a state of sleep during surgery. The trachea is a tube placed, to help to breathe.

Procedure removal of the esophagus

Depending on the field, to be deleted, the doctor will make an incision in the neck or abdomen, using one of the following methods::

• One large incision (open procedure) – the doctor will remove the tumor and the focus of its;
• Serves several small incisions (robotizirovannaya surgery), and through them will be inserted tiny camera and miniature surgical instruments. Looking at the esophagus on a monitor, Doctor detects and removes the tumor center.

“Replacement” esophagus will be formed from a portion of the stomach. The remaining part of the esophagus will be attached to “new” esophagus. In some cases, lymph nodes in the area of ​​operations will also be deleted. One or more tubes will be placed in the chest to drain (drainage) liquids. After the operation the incision is closed with staples or stitches.

How long will the removal of the esophagus?

About six hours.

Removal of the esophagus – Will it hurt?

Upon termination of anesthesia you will feel the pain. Doctor will prescribe pain medication, to reduce pain.

The average hospital stay

The procedure is performed in a hospital. Usually the duration of stay of 1-2 of the week. Your doctor can extend the period of stay, If there are complications.

Care after esophagectomy

You can not eat or drink anything during the first week after surgery. You will receive nutrition through a feeding tube. During 7-14 days after the surgery is performed tests the swallowing, to determine the presence of leaks in the surgical site. If there are no leaks, your diet will gradually switch from clear liquids to soft, and further to solid food. You, probably, You can return to a normal diet after about a month. Your stomach will be smaller, so you need to eat small meals.

You also need to perform deep breathing exercises. This may be given an incentive spirometer,, that will help you breathe deeply.

• Every day you need to walk, gradually increasing the distance;
• Avoid heavy work for 6-8 weeks;
• Ask the doctor, when it is safe to shower, bathe, or to expose the cut by water.

Contact your doctor after esophagectomy

After returning home, you need to see a doctor, If the following symptoms:

• Signs of infection, including fever and chills;
• Redness, edema, increased pain, bleeding or any discharge from the incision;
• Nausea and / or vomiting, that do not pass after taking the prescribed medicines and persist for more than two days after discharge from the hospital;
• Pain, which does not pass after taking pain medication appointed;
• Pain, burning, frequent urination or persistent bleeding in the urine;
• Cough, shortness of breath or chest pain;
• Constipation or diarrhea;
• Pain and / or swelling of the legs, calves and feet.