Objective To investigate the application value of intrathoracic double-flap tech-nique (Kamikawa anastomosis) in combined thoracoscopic and laparoscopic radical resection for esophagogastric junction cancer.

Methods The retrospective and descriptive study was conducted. The clinicopathological data of 10 patients with esophagogastric junction cancer who were admitted to the First Affiliated Hospital of Xiamen University between July 2022 and April 2023 were collec-ted. There were 7 males and 3 females, aged 62(range, 53-71)years. All the 10 patients underwent combined thoracoscopic and laparoscopic radical resection for esophagogastric junction cancer. Reconstruction was performed with an intrathoracic Kamikawa anastomosis. Observation indicators: (1) intraoperative and postoperative situations; (2) postoperative pathological examination; (3) follow-up and survival. Measurement data with normal distribution were represented as Mean±SD, and measurement data with skewed distribution were represented as M(range). Count data were described as absolute numbers.

Results (1) Intraoperative and postoperative situations. All the 10 patients underwent surgery successfully. The operation time and volume of intraoperative blood loss were (347±41)minutes and (91±41)mL. The time to postoperative fluid diet intake, time to removal of postoperative abdominal drainage tube, time to removal of postoperative chest drainage tube, duration of postoperative hospital stay were (4.3±1.1)days, (5.0±1.6)days, (10.5±3.9)days, (13.3±3.8)days. Six patients had postoperative complications, including 1 case of Clavien⁃Dindo grade ⅢB, 3 cases of Clavien Dindo grade Ⅱ, 2 cases of Clavien Dindo grade Ⅰ. An upper gastrointestinal contrast at postoperative day 7 showed no anastomotic leak or anastomotic stricture in the 10 patients. (2) Postoperative pathological examination. Results of postoperative pathological examination in the 10 patients showed negative surgical margin. The number of lymph node dissected was 22±6. There were 3 patients with 5 positive lymph nodes. The tumor diameter and distance from center of tumor to squamocolumnar mucosal junction were (3.3±0.5)cm and (1.9±1.4)cm. One patient had tumor differentiation degree as high and moderate differentiation, 5 cases as moderate differentiation, 3 cases as moderate and low differentiation, 1 case as low differentiation. There were 5 patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagogastric junction and 5 patients with adenocarcinoma of the esophagogastric junction. (3) Follow-up and survival. All the 10 patients were followed up for 7(range, 3‒12)months, achieving disease-free survival. The visick quality of life grade Ⅰ, Ⅱ, Ⅲ, Ⅳ were observed in 7, 3, 0, 0 patients. Postoperative gastroscopy was completed in 7 patients, in which mild anastomotic strictures were noted in 2 patients, but no treatment was required. There was no reflux esophagitis.

Conclusion Intrathoracic Kamikawa anastomosis in combined thoracoscopic and laparoscopic radical resection for esophagogastric junction cancer is safe and feasible, with satisfactory short-term efficacy.