Ivor Lewis Esophagectomy

The esophagus is a hollow tube that moves food and liquids from the throat to the stomach. It is located just behind the trachea (windpipe) and, in an adult, is about 10 inches long. The wall of the esophagus is made up of several layers of tissue, including mucous membrane, muscle and connective tissue.

Esophagectomy is the surgical removal of part of the esophagus. The lower part of the esophagus and upper part of the stomach (fundus) are removed and the remaining parts are then connected to re-establish the digestive tract.

Reason for an Esophagectomy
Esophagectomy is the treatment of choice for esophageal cancers.

The Ivor Lewis Esophagectomy
The Ivor Lewis is a specific, two-stage surgical approach esophagectomy. The first stage is through an incision in the abdomen to “free up” and remove part of the stomach. This section of stomach will be formed into a replacement esophagus. The second stage is done through an incision in the chest to remove the diseased part of the esophagus, insert the newly formed esophagus, and re-attach the esophagus to the remainder of the stomach. The procedure takes about 5 hours.

The Ivor Lewis procedure is used for those who have tumors in the middle or lower third of the esophagus.