1. Extensive abdominothoracic gastrectomies with a higher risk do not seem to provide anv advantaee in carcinomas of the gastric cardia.

2. From 1982 to 1985, 224 abdominal, 31 transhiatal, and 9 abdominothoracic gastrectomies were performed because of gastric cancer, in addition to 7 proximal gastric resections. The procedures were carried out using the circular stapler ILS Proximate.