2024-09-21 00:07:26
Actor Heinz Hoenig had to have his esophagus removed. The procedure is complicated – what risks does it entail.
Heinz Hoenig is now back home after 143 days in intensive care. In the spring of this year, he had to be taken to hospital because a bacterial infection had attacked his aorta and esophagus. The esophagus had to be removed in a major operation. You can find out how this operation is carried out and what risks are associated with it here.
The esophagus – also called the oesophagus – connects the mouth with the stomach. The hollow organ consists of muscles, nerves and connective tissue. The main reasons that require surgery are:
If the esophagus is injured, air, stomach acid and food can leak out, which can lead to severe inflammation in the chest. Surgery may therefore be necessary.
Esophageal or stomach cancer as well as so-called motility disorders of the esophagus (limited mobility of the organ) also require surgery. Parts of the esophagus or the entire organ are removed.
If the esophagus is surgically removed, this is called an esophagectomy. There are various types; the choice of surgical procedure depends on the location and extent of the injury.
In cases of esophageal or stomach cancer, the surgeon will also remove some of the nearby lymph nodes. This helps reduce the risk of the cancer coming back.
According to his wife, actor Heinz Hoenig’s bacterial infection has spread so much that his entire esophagus has to be removed in a major operation. However, the procedure is associated with great risk, she reports.
An injury to the esophagus is a medical emergency. Surgical repair must therefore be carried out immediately. However, the procedure is very complicated and complications such as blood poisoning (sepsis), shock, inflammation of the mediastinum (mediastinitis) or respiratory failure can occur.
To prevent infection, the doctor also administers a broad-spectrum antibiotic before the operation. But even with immediate treatment, the risk of death is very high if there is a large-scale injury to the esophagus.
And even after the operation, the patient still has to pay attention to a number of things. During the healing period, artificial nutrition is provided via a gastric tube for several months. After that, the patient can swallow and eat more or less normally again with the new connection between the esophagus and stomach. However, from now on, the food must be divided into several smaller meals, as the gastric sleeve has a smaller capacity.