Esophagogastrectomy
An esophagogastrectomy is also major surgery performed with the patient under general anesthesia. The surgeon will choose the incisional approach that allows the best possible access for resecting the lower portion of the esophagus and the upper portion of the stomach. The surgeon's decision will depend on the extent of the cancer, the amount of the esophagus that must be removed, and the patient's overall health status. An esophagogastrectomy can be performed as an open procedure through large incisions, or as a laparoscopic procedure through small incisions.( Dads was with large incisions) The cancerous upper portion of the stomach will first be stapled off and resected. The cancerous portion of the esophagus will then be cut and removed along with nearby lymph nodes. Finally, a portion of the stomach will be pulled upward and connected to the remaining portion of the esophagus (anastomosis)Dad had Dr Pariek for his stomach cancer removal and lots of lymph nodes, then Dr Putnum's thorasic team came in to make another incision through his side/back collapse his lung and spread his ribs to re-sect the stomach to the esophagus. His years earlier severe pancreatic inflammation caused major problems for Dr Pariek to get good closure so he called in the Thoracic Dr.
DR Parieck came in after surgery saying they got all the cancer out and were happy with the results.
His complications after surgery with pneumonia, a fib heart irregularities, and persistent low blood pressure were quite a challenge post surgery. But Dad fought all of that off, although he said he would never do that again. It was brutal.
He is eating very small amounts of food, sometimes it stays down. He gets feedings at night through the jtube, thankfully, so his strength is still good. I am at home but Cindy told me that today they drove him to the pavilion and he sat at a picnic table for a while visiting with some neighbors. How wonderful to get outside on a beautiful day after all this time!
