Esophageal exclusion and gastric bypass for unresectable carcinoma of the thoracic esophagus.

Total esophageal exclusion and substernal gastric bypass were performed on eight patients with unresectable carcinoma of the thoracic esophagus who had received radiotherapy as the primary treatment. One patient died postoperatively. Three patients developed cervical anastomotic leaks which settled with conservative treatment. Average survival after the surgery was eight months and all seven survivors were able to eat normally. The simplicity and effectiveness of the operation have been emphasized.