[Results of the palliative treatment of inoperable squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus].

From 1961 to 1981, 132 patients suffering from squamous cell carcinoma of the oesophagus were seen at the Bad-Cannstadt-Municipal-Hospital. In 53 cases only a palliative procedure could be performed: 20 patients had tube intubation, 29 gastrostomy, only 4 an exploratory laparotomy. The mortality rate of palliative operations is a high one, postoperative complications are frequent, the mean postoperative survival time is about 4.3 months. As the method of choice, preference is given to tube intubation, gastrostomy should be no longer performed with the exception of a few special cases.