Results of surgical treatment of esophageal cancer

Abstract

At the Department of Surgery of the Szent Imre Hospital 53 esophageal operations were performed between August 1, 1995 and August 1, 2000 because of malignant disease. We retrospectively analyze the operations of 37 male and 16 female patients, and compare the results with published data. We describe the preparation and medical examination of the patients and the problems of intraoperative or potential complications and their prevention. We emphasise the importance of postoperative treatment and monitoring, as well as difficulties of the surgery and physiotherapy after operation. We think, that with adequate perioperative background and surgical treatment these operations can be performed safely in our department. These are basic procedures in the treatment of a malignant disease of the digestive system with serious economico-medical problems.