Temporary Treatment for Postoperative Complications Following Gastrointestinal Cancer Surgery

Abstract

Factors contributing to anastomotic failure after esophageal cancer surgery include the patient's general condition, local circumstances, the alternative organ used for restoring the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, and the route of the alternative organ. Advances in medical techniques and instruments cannot eliminate these complications in surgery requiring resection and restoration of the GI tract. Treatments vary in the degree of failure and the patient. Some cases can be managed with local maneuvers, but others require emergency surgery to eliminate the necrotic organ, and still others require drainage of mediastinal abscesses. We discuss the diagnosis of anastomotic failure and temporary appropriate maneuvers to keep the patient's general condition from deteriorating.