In a prospective multicentre study of 2394 patients with gastric carcinoma the prognostic relevance of systematic lymph node dissection was evaluated. Of 1654 patients undergoing resection, 558 had a standard lymph node dissection, defined as fewer than 26 nodes in the specimen, and 1096 underwent radical lymphadenectomy, i.e. 26 or more nodes in the specimen. Radical dissection significantly improved the survival rate in patients with Union Internacional Contra la Cancrum (UICC) stages II and IIIA tumours. Multivariate analysis identified radical dissection as an independent prognostic factor in the subgroups of patients with UICC tumour stages II and IIA. Radical dissection conferred no survival advantage in patients with pN2 tumours. There was no significant difference in morbidity and mortality rates between radical and standard lymph node dissection. Radical lymphadenectomy improves survival in patients with UICC gastric cancer stages II and IIIA, and should be the recommended treatment for such patients.

Fifty patients reoperated for failed Nissen fundoplication are presented; 29 patients (group 2) were operated between 1983 and 1988 while 21 patients (group 1) were operated before 1983. In group 1, the "slipped Nissen" had been the most frequent cause of reoperation (48%). In group 2, the most frequent causes for the unsuccessful operation were: (1) partial or total disruption of the fundic wrap (62%), (2) slipping of the fundoplication, giving rise to the telescope phenomenon (21%), and (3) creation of a fundoplication which was too low (10%). Refundoplication was performed in cases where the dissection of the previously formed fundic wrap was possible (42/50 = 84%). In group 1, three patients were treated by resection of the cardia, one by an Angelchik prosthesis and one by a distal gastric resection with Roux-en-Y diversion. In group 2, fundectomy was performed in one patient; in another, an Angelchik device was inserted, and in a third patient, fundoplication and proximal gastric vagotomy were performed. The results were excellent or good in 66% of patients in group 1 and in 76% of group 2. Operative mortality was 2% and morbidity, 4%. In conclusion, repeat fundoplication is recommended when reestablishment of the fundic region anatomy is possible during dissection. The operation can usually be performed through an abdominal route. Meticulous preoperative evaluation of the patients including 24-hour pH measurement and manometry is necessary. Good results of refundoplication should be expected in 66%-76% of patients with recurrent disease.

Anastomotic leaks are still among the most common severe postoperative complications and account for the majority of postoperative deaths after esophagectomy and gastrectomy. Every disturbance of the normal postoperative course should trigger surgeons to consider an underlying anastomotic leak and initiate a specific diagnostic workup. This includes direct endoscopic inspection of the anastomosis to evaluate the vitality of the anastomosed organs and the size of the leak. Adequate external drainage of the leak and prevention of further contamination are the primary therapeutic goals. Selection of therapy is guided by the available modalities for sufficiently draining the leak and avoiding sepsis. The spectrum of therapeutic options ranges from simple opening of the neck incision in cervical esophageal anastomoses, interventional placement of drains, to endoscopic intervention with closure of the fistula or placement of stents, and reoperation with exclusion, diversion, or discontinuity resection.