Oesophagectomy

There are different types of surgery for oesophageal cancer, depending on the size, position and stage of your cancer. This surgery may also be recommended for other conditions that cause damage to the oesophagus.

What is an oesophagectomy?

An oesophagectomy is surgery to remove part or all of your oesophagus (food pipe). You may need to have this operation to remove cancer from your oesophagus.

You may also need to have an oesophagectomy for other conditions that have caused significant damage to the tissues or function of your oesophagus. This includes severe achalasia, strictures or after swallowing something harmful.   

There are different types of oesophagectomy depending on the size, position and stage of your cancer – or the extent of other conditions that may have damaged your oesophagus:

• Oesophagectomy – to remove part of the oesophagus

• Total oesophagectomy – to remove the entire oesophagus

• Oesophago-gastrectomy – to remove the top part of your stomach and the part of the oesophagus

What does an oesophagectomy involve?

In this surgery, Dr Hopkins will remove the part of the oesophagus affected by cancer or other conditions and some of the surrounding healthy tissue. Lymph nodes around your oesophagus and stomach may also be removed as they might contain cancer cells that may spread the cancer to other parts of your body.

An oesophagectomy is a large operation due to the location of the oesophagus, between your neck through the chest and upper abdomen, and its proximity to many major organs.

Removing the oesophagus leaves a gap in the digestive tract that needs to be filled. This is usually reconstructed using the stomach. If the stomach is not suitable, the small bowel or colon may be used. 

Step by step: oesophagectomy surgery

• Oesophagectomy is performed under general anaesthetic and usually involves several stages and a combination of surgical approaches.

• Dr Hopkins may use an open incision or several smaller incisions (laparoscopic) in areas of the abdomen, chest or neck to access different parts of your oesophagus.

• After removing the affected part of your oesophagus, Dr Hopkins will reconstruct the removed section, usually using part of your stomach.

• You may need to have a temporary feeding tube placed inside your upper intestine to provide adequate nutrition, energy and fluids while healing takes place.

• Oesophagectomy is complex surgery that takes approximately 6-8 hours.

What is the recovery from oesophagectomy?

Recovery from surgery to remove the oesophagus can be uncomfortable. You will stay in hospital for 1-2 weeks to receive ongoing care and support for your recovery. During this time, you will be monitored closely to manage your pain and ensure your surgical sites are healing as expected.

Your total recovery will take much longer. If you’ve had a feeding tube, this will stay as long as needed while your oesophagus heals, especially if you need to undergo adjuvant therapy. When your treatment has finished and you are able to eat an adequate diet, the tube will be removed.

Dr Hopkins will continue to monitor your progress and provide input to your care as you adjust to life post-surgery.

If you have any questions about your surgery or would like to make an initial appointment to see Dr Hopkins, please get in touch.