Abstract： Objective To evaluate the clinical significance of bilateral supraclavicular lymph node dissection after esophagectomy for patients with intrathoracic esophageal carcinoma. Methods A total of 197 patients with esophageal carcinoma but no obvious supraclavicular lymph node metastasis who underwent esophagectomy in Zhongshan Hospital of Xiamen University from March 1997 to September 2004 were included in this study. All the patients were divided into 2 groups， the control group and the study group. In the control group (non-supraclavicular lymphadenectomy group)， there were 96 patients including 62 males and 34 females with their age of 40-69 （55.2±3.1） years， who received 2-field lymphadenectomy (intrathoracic lymphatic drainage area and left paracardial lymph nodes) without supraclavicular lymph node dissection. In the study group (supraclavicular lymphadenectomy group)， there were 101 patients including 68 males and 33 females with their age of 41-68 （53.8±4.5） years， who received 3-field lymphadenectomy including intrathoracic lymphatic drainage area， left paracardial lymph nodes and bilateral supraclavicular lymph node dissection. Postoperative survival rate， lymph node metastasis rate， anastomotic site recurrence rate， and long-term supraclavicular lymph node metastasis rate were compared between the 2 groups. Results The overall 5-year survival rate of all the patients was 39.59% （78/197）. There was no statistical difference in 5-year survival rate between the 2 groups ［37.50％ （36/96） vs. 41.58％（42/101）， P＞0.05］. However， the 5-year survival rate of the patients with esophageal carcinoma in the upper third of the esophagus in the study group was significantly higher than that of the control group ［38.10％（8/21） vs. 29.17％ （7/24）， P＜0.05］. The intrathoracic lymph node metastasis rate （14.58% vs. 12.87%）， abdominal lymph node metastasis rate （6.25% vs. 7.92%）and anastomotic site recurrence rate （5.20% vs. 5.94%）of the control group and study group were not statistically different （P＞0.05）. However， long-term supraclavicular lymph node metastasis rate of the study group was significantly lower than that of the control group （2.97％ vs. 8.33％， P＜0.05） Conclusion Bilateral supraclavicular node dissection can significantly increase postoperative survival rate and decrease long-term supraclavicular lymph node metastasis rate of patients with esophageal carcinoma in the upper third of the esophagus.
Objective To study the application of ultracision harmonic scalpel in laparoscopic radical gastrectomy. Methods Ten patients with gastric cancer were given laparoscopic-assisted radical gastrectomy by using ultracision harmonic scalpel. Results All operations were successfully performed with ultracision harmonic scalpel, and none of which converted into open surgery. The operation time was 300-492 min, mean (385±64) min. The blood loss was 100-500 ml, mean (401±70) ml. The number of harvested lymph nodes was 21-43, mean 31±6. The time for gastrointestinal function recovery was 3-6 d, mean (4.2±1.0) d. The time of patients’ taking out-of-bed activity was 3-７ d, mean (4.5±1.3) d. The time of taking liquid food was 4-６ d, mean (5.0±0.9) d. No case had relapse or metastasis after 4-20 months (mean 12.6 months) of follow-up. Conclusions Laparoscopic radical gastrectomy by using ultracision harmonic scalpel is safe and feasible. Ultracision harmonic scalpel has the advantage of minimal invasion, less bleeding and shorter operation time, which is a very important equipment and useful for laparoscopic gastrointestinal surgery.