Esophagectomy

Overview

Esophagectomy is a surgical procedure to remove part of the tube between your mouth and stomach (esophagus) and then reconstruct it using part of another organ, usually the stomach. Esophagectomy is a common treatment for advanced esophageal cancer, and is used occasionally for Barrett's esophagus if precancerous cells are present.

Why choose Mayo Clinic for esophagectomy

• Experience. Mayo Clinic surgeons perform more than 150 esophagectomies each year. Studies have shown that people who had esophagectomies at low-volume centers had a much higher risk of dying from the operation than did people treated at high-volume centers (defined as more than 20 esophagectomies per year).
• Teamwork. Esophagectomy is an important part of esophageal cancer treatment, which can be extremely complex. At Mayo, specialists in thoracic surgery, digestive diseases, oncology and other areas work together to manage your care, before and after surgery.
• Minimally invasive approach. Mayo doctors can sometimes perform minimally invasive esophagectomies, which usually result in less pain, shorter hospital stays and faster recovery than traditional open surgery.
• Efficient care. Consultations with doctors, testing and treatment can usually be done in a single visit lasting several days.
• New ideas. Mayo specialists are at the forefront of new techniques for esophagectomy. You have access to the expertise of Mayo's clinician-researchers.

Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn., ranks No. 1 for digestive disorders in the U.S. News & World Report Best Hospitals rankings. Mayo Clinic in Scottsdale, Ariz., and Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, Fla., are ranked high performing for digestive disorders by U.S. News & World Report. Mayo Clinic also ranks among the Best Children's Hospitals for digestive disorders.