[Esophagectomy without thoracotomy using a stripping method: technic, results, indications in benign and malignant diseases of the esophagus].

A technique of esophagectomy without thoracotomy using a stripper with limited dissection of the mediastinum has been applied to 48 patients: neoplasia in 41 (squamous-cell carcinoma of the esophagus: 34, carcinoma of the gastric cardia: 5, pharyngeal carcinoma: 2) and non-malignant pathology in 7 (2 caustic necroses, 2 ruptured esophagus, 2 anastomotic leakages after gastro-esophageal resection, 1 caustic stenosis). There were 3 post-operative deaths. The best indications of this procedure are extended tumors of the lower esophagus in poor-risk patients, and perhaps superficial carcinomas of the esophagus whatever the site.

[Functional studies of the esophagus in gastroesophageal reflux: application to anti-reflux surgery].

A functional exploration of the esophagus, an acid reflux test, a manometry and an endoscopic examination were performed on 56 patients in succession, who had undergone a complete fundoplication for gastro-esophageal reflux. These tests were done pre-operatively as well as post-operatively at short term (1 year) and long term (4 years). The functional and endoscopic pre-operative work-up did not enable to isolate a group of patients likely to present a therapeutic failure.