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The esophagus is a muscluar tube that connects the oropharynx to the stomach. It is a dynamic tube that pushed food and liquids to the stomach for digestion. Active peristaltic contractions propel residual food into the stomach. During vomiting and reflux, it serves as a conduit for retrograde passage of gastric contents.
The adult human esophagus is 18-26 cm in length. It is composed of striated muscle in the upper portion, and smooth muscle in the lower portion. It is bookended by the upper esophageal sphincter in the cervial esophagus and the lower esophageal sphincter in the abdominal esophagus at the gastro-esophageal junction.
Disorders of the esophagus vary in presentation. Malignancy such as squamous and adenocarcinoma of the esophagus can present with dysphagia, anemia, weight loss, and obstructive symptoms. Due to the distensibility of the esophagus, these cancers are often diagnosed late. Benign tumors, such as leiomyoma, can present with dysphagia and obstructive symptoms. Motility disorders such as achalsia, diffuse esophageal spasms, and scleroderma offer unique medical and surgical challenges. Reflux disorders and giant paraesophagel hernias are both physiologic and anatomic disorders of the lower esophageal sphincter that require experienced surigcal expertise appropriate correction.
The minimally invasive esophgeal program under the direction of Dr Raphael Bueno, associate chief of the division of thoracic surgery, and Dr Jon Wee, co-director of minimally invasive thoracic surgery, strives to address all surgical disorders of the esophagus in an efficient and concerted effort, utilizing the multidisiplinary extpertise at the Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School. Our goal is to provide the best comprehensive care to the patient. Minimal pain, efficient recovery, and coordinated care to provide the best opportunity for patients to return to their life. We provide the most extensive experience in minimally invasive esophageal surgery in the New England area. Our results following resection for esophgeal cancer is among the best in the country. Prior abdominal or thoracic procedures does NOT preclude your from having minimally invasive surgery. This needs to be evaluated by expert experience surgeon to assess your condidacy for this approach. In fact, our division specializes in complex reoperative repair of esophageal diseases including re-operative nissen fundoplication and re-operative giant paraesophageal hernia repairs. Our division has continually set the standard for esophgeal care in the New England region as we continue to strive to provide the best care for our patients.
Specific information concerning specific diseases are below
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©2007, Division of Thoracic Surgery at Brigham and Women's Hospital. All rights reserved.
Division of Thoracic Surgery
Brigham and Women's Hospital
75 Francis Street
Boston, MA 02115
Phone: (617) 732-6824