Etymed
esophagectomy
Definition
surgical removal of all or part of the esophagus
Clinical context
A 65-year-old man presents with progressive dysphagia and weight loss secondary to esophageal adenocarcinoma. CT imaging reveals a large mass involving the mid-esophagus with no distant metastases. The patient undergoes an esophagectomy with reconstruction using a gastric pull-up. Postoperatively, he experiences typical complications including prolonged ileus and mild anastomotic leak. The surgical specimen confirms the diagnosis of adenocarcinoma with clear margins.
Mnemonic
E-Z - Eat, Zap, and Zest: Esophagectomy is the 'Z' of removing the esophagus for cancer, with 'Eat' for the pre-op dietary restrictions and 'Zest' for the zest of the operation