Although the use of the posterior mediastinum and the stomach as a reconstruction option after esophagectomy has large acceptance all over the world, there are concerns about the potential respiratory impairment it could cause. We prospectively studied 35 patients regarding the forced expiratory volume and vital capacity. The patients were studied preoperatively and between the 45th and 60th postoperative days. The value of both parameters decreased, although they were still within normal clinical ranges. We concluded that this type of reconstruction does not harm the patients regarding the respiratory flow rates.

Although the use of the posterior mediastinum and the stomach as a reconstruction option after esophagectomy has wide acceptance, there are concerns about the potential cardiac impairment it could cause. We prospectively studied 27 patients regarding the function and the systolic diameter, diastolic diameter, shortening fraction, ejection fraction and the presence of extrinsic compression. The patients were studied preoperatively and between the 45th and 60th postoperative days. The parameters were still within normal clinical ranges. We concluded that this type of reconstruction does not harm the patients in terms of their cardiac function.