Reconstruction using the colon or jejunum in patients with synchronous advanced esophageal and gastric cancers: a retrospective study from a single institutional database

Purpose The aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility and efficacy of simultaneous resection of synchronous advanced esophageal and gastric cancers. Methods We retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of 16 patients who underwent resection of synchronous advanced esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) and gastric adenocarcinoma from January 2009 to Dec 2021. Subtotal esophagectomy and total gastrectomy were performed using the Ivor-Lewis or McKeown approach. Reconstruction was performed using a pedicled jejunal graft or colon interposition. Perioperative and postoperative data of all patients were analyzed. Results There were no in-hospital mortalities following surgery, but 9 patients (56.3%) suffered major perioperative complications. Comparison of the groups that received reconstruction using the jejunum and the colon indicated similar incidences of perioperative complications, overall survival, and disease-free survival. Cox regression analysis indicated that lymph node metastasis of both cancers was independent risk factor for overall survival. Conclusion The existence of synchronous tumors of the esophagus and stomach is not unusual, the radical surgical treatment could be carried out whenever possible.