[Radical operation for carcinoma of gastric cardia--lymph node dissection by laparosternophrenotomy approach].

The adequate esophago-gastric resection and lymph node dissection can be performed without the necessity of a thoracotomy, by using the laparosternophrenotomy approach. For tumors restricted to lower esophagus of 4cm in localized tumors or 3cm in invaded tumors above the EG junction, the sternotomy approach is utilized. However, if the tumor extends to more than the above criteria, the thoracoabdominal approach must be utilized. For 14 years, 85 cases with tumor of gastric cardia were performed by sternotomy approach and 76 cases were performed by thoracotomy approach. The lymph node metastatic rate in the lower thoracic cavity was 26% in total. The lymph node metastatic rate of No. 110 was 22.6%, No. 111 was 17.4% and No. 112 was 12.5%. These results show the lymph node dissection in the lower thoracic cavity is very important in tumors of gastric cardia. The five year survival rate was 41% in patients who undergone curative operation by the sternotomy approach, and 45% in patients performed by the thoracotomy approach. According to our study of the lymph fluid stream in gastric cardia tumors using carbon, the lymph node dissection around the renal vein is important. This approach has less respiratory disturbance than the thoracotomy. This procedure is one of the best approaches for carcinoma of gastric cardia according to our criteria.