Carcinoma : Substernal Gastric Bypass

This operation is gaining increasing popularity to restore normal swallowing in patients with irresectable tumours of the thoracic portion of the oesophagus or in those not sufficiently fit to permit the extensive resection. It is particularly useful where tumours of the intra-thoracic oesophagus have eroded into adjacent organs such as lung, pleura or the tracheo-bronchial tree. Patients are not suitable if tumour or involved lymph nodes involve the cervical oesophagus or if there is involvement of the proximal stomach.