Abstract
Limited surgery is indicated for mucosal cancer of the esophagus without lymph node
metastasis. Esophagectomy without thoracotomy and endoscopic resection are carried
out as the operative modalities of reduced surgery. Mucosal cancer less than 3 cm
in size without any nodal involvement is suitable for endoscopic resection. The maneuver
of endoscopic resection of esophageal cancer is carried out as follows; a transparent
covering tube with a small channel for electric snare forceps is used, a forward-viewing
endoscopic is inserted inside the covering tube, the grasping forceps of the mucosa
is inserted through the working channel of the endoscope, the mucosa is grasped by
forceps through the opening of snare forceps, and is snared and resected by electric
cauterization. The maneuver is repeated. No postoperative complication has ever been
experienced. The mechanically induced ulcer down to the submucosal layer heals within
a month.
