Left sided trans-thoracic esophagectomy for resectable esophageal and gastro-esophageal junction cancers: experience from Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Abstract

Background: Surgery is the main stay of treatment for Esophageal Cancer but there is no standard Esophagectomy accepted by all authorities to be superior. The main objective of this study is to present our experience with the left sided trans-thoracic approach in patients with a lower third Esophageal and Gastro-Esophageal junction cancer.

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 22 patients at the Tikur Anbessa Specialized Hospital in Addis Ababa Ethiopia between January 2013 and 2015. Data collected included the socio-demographic status, diagnostic modalities, the operative details, post operative outcome and follow up.

Results: The majority of the patients were males aged between 35-45 years, and had a clinical stage IIIa cancer. Average duration of surgery was 111 minutes (+ 17.4 minutes). Resection without macroscopical residual was achieved in 18 of 22 patients (81.8%). A total of 16 complications were recorded among 10 (45.4%) of the patients. One patient died in hospital (Mortality of 4.5%). All the remaining 21 patients were seen at least three times over the subsequent 6 months and were in good post operative condition.

Conclusion: Our finding is in agreement with the collected evidence the sweet’s procedure offers several advantages for tumors in the lower third of the esophagus including the gastro-esophageal junction. The short-term outcome of this procedure is also found acceptable.

Keywords: Sweet’s procedure, left sided trans-thoracic esophagectomy, Esophageal and Gastro- esophageal cancer