Lower tracheal and carinal resection associated with subtotal oesophagectomy for carcinoma of oesophagus involving trachea.

The problem of the patient with a carcinoma of the oesophagus involving the lower trachea and one or other main stem bronchus is discussed. An operation in which the carina was excised and both main bronchi were re-anastomosed to the trachea in association with a subtotal oesophagectomy is described. The criteria for deciding to undertake such an operation are discussed.