Protective subpleural blanketing of intrathoracic esogastric anastomosis after esophagectomy.

Esophagectomy followed by intrathoracic anastomosis is threatened by leakage which may prove all the more serious that mediastinal contamination is extensive. In the technique presented, the esogastric anastomosis is slipped under the upper mediastinal pleura which is kept intact, after the azygos vein has been ligated and divided. This pleural 'blanket' may act as an efficient barrier against potential digestive spillage into the mediastinum.