Abstract
To investigate the influence of surgical reconstruction procedures after the resection of esophageal cancer onpostoperative quality of life, an interview was conducted and subjective and objective factors related to quality oflife were evaluated in 50 patients without recurrence of esophageal cancer. Among the 50 cases, reconstructionthrough the antethoracal route was performed in 9 (Group I) and through the retrosternal route in 24 (Group II), and intrathoracic anastomosis was done in 17 (Group III). Postoperative disturbance of the food passeage was seenin 22.0, 41.6 and 5.9% in Groups I, II and III, respectively. Dumping symptom was evident in 11.1, 12.5 and 11.8% ineach group. Heartburn was seen only in two cases in Group III. A body weight loss of more than 1.0kg from thepreoperative weight was seen in 33.3, 41.7 and 41.2% in Groups I, II and III, respectively. There was no difference inpostoperative performance status or laboratory data among the groups. Thus, although intrathoracic anastomosiswas favorable for postoperative food passage, there was no significant difference in any other quality-of-life factorsamong the routes of reconstruction in patients of reconstruction in patients without postoperative recurrence ofesophageal cancer.
