revascularize the gastric tube after a subtotal esophagectomy

Maintaining sufficient blood flow to the gastric tube after a subtotal esophagectomy for esophageal cancer is crucial for decreasing the esophagogastric anastomotic leakage. After subtotal esophagectomy for esophageal cancer, to additionally revascularize the gastric tube using the splenic artery a...nd vein, external carotid artery, and internal jugular vein, the supercharge technique was performed in esophageal reconstruction patients. Operative results of these patients (supercharge group) were retrospectively compared with those of patients not receiving the technique (control group). Both operation time and operative blood loss in the supercharge group were significantly longer and larger than those of the control group. However, the incidence of anastomotic leakage was significantly lower in the supercharge group than in the control group, and a 30-day reduction in the mean postoperative hospital stay was achieved with the supercharge group. This practical supercharge technique could be a breakthrough less to reduce leakage during esophageal anastomosis.