Esophagogastrectomy for benign esophageal stricture. Fate of the esophagogastric anastomosis.

Eighty-nine patients who had resection of benign esophageal stricture with esophagogastrostomy were reviewed through medical records and by mailed questionnaire. The 30-day mortality rate was 8.9%. Seventy-six patients were available for follow-up for an average of 66.4 months (Group 1). Forty-three of these patients were followed up for longer than 5 years (Group 2). The incidence of postoperative heartburn in Groups 1 and 2 was 7.9% and 7.0%, respectively. The incidence of postoperative dysphagia in Groups 1 and 2 was 39.4% and 30.2%, respectively, with most episodes occurring within 2 years of operation. The vast majority of these patients required multiple esophageal dilatations over a long time. The high rate of restricture precludes support for the routine use of an esophagogastric anastomosis after resection of benign esophageal stricture.