The debate is still on-going as to whether a transthoracic esophagectomy (TTE) or a transhiatal esophagectomy (THE) is the proper treatment for patients with cardia and esophageal cancers. This study tries to demonstrate and assess the efficacy and the validity of both surgeries.

In a retrospective study, data from 52 cases of patients with esophageal and/or cardia cancer who received a surgical operation during the last decade were analyzed.

A TTE was done in 20 cases and a THE in 32 cases. The average times for the operations were 558.0 min for a TTE and 451.7 min for a THE (P>0.05). The estimated blood loss was 1,825.0 ml in a TTE and 1459.4 ml in a THE (P>0.05). The amounts of transfusion during the operations were 3.9 units in a TTE and 2.6 units in a THE (P<0.05). Post-operative complications occurred in 15 cases of TTE and 23 cases of THE. The average length of stay in the hospital was 25.6 days for a TTE and 20.6 days for a THE. The 5-year survival rate was 10% for TTE patients and 28% for THE patients (P>0.05).

For most factors, including morbidity and mortality, there was no statistically significant difference between a TTE and a THE. However, a THE is expected to be more convenient, leading to a shorter operative duration, a shorter post-operative hospitalization and lesser amounts of hemorrhage and transfusion. Hence, the THE may be a more valid or efficient surgical method for those patients with cardia and esophagus cancer who require a resection of the esophagus.