Postoperative Morbidity and Mortality after Surgical Treatment of Advanced Carcinoma of the Oesophagus and the Gastro-Oesophageal Junction

Background: The increasing incidence of carcinoma of the gastro-oesophageal junction and oesophagus implies an increasing future challenge in the management of patients with these tumours. Methods: From 1988 to 1995, 53 patients were operated on for carcinoma of the gastro-oesophageal junction (n = 17) or the oesophagus (n = 36) in the Department of Surgery at the University Hospital in Uppsala. In 81 % of the patients the tumour was in an advanced stage. A thoracotomy was performed in 46 (87%) of the patients and in the rest the tumour was resected without this procedure. Results: Postoperative complications occurred in 60% of the patients. Of these, anastomotic leakage (26%) and stricture (34%) were the most common. The overall in-hospital mortality was 13% and was positively correlated with the age of the patient. Conclusion: Surgical treatment of advanced carcinoma of the oesophagus or the gastro-oesophageal junction is associated with substantial postoperative morbidity and mortality.