Surgery for Cancer in the Cervical Esophagus or at the Cervicothoracic Junction Using Free Jejunal Graft: Cervical Esophagectomy with or without Laryngectomy

Cervical esophagectomy with esophageal reconstruction using a free jejunal graft is commonly adopted for cancer in the cervical esophagus or at the cervicothoracic junction. Cervical esophagectomy with laryngectomy was adopted mainly for patients at advanced stages, and their survival after surgery was therefore lower, while their hospital mortality was less. Patients had no complication caused by preserving the larynx; however, they lost their voice. On the other hand, Cervical esophagectomy without laryngectomy was adopted mainly for patients at earlier stages, and their survival after surgery was higher, while their hospital mortality was much more. Although patients could preserve their voice, they frequently had recurrent nerve paralysis and aspiration pneumonia.