Abstract

Severe dysphagia or even aphagia can occur after esophagectomy secondary to necrosis of the ascended organ with severe stricture or complete separation of the stumps. Catastrophic esophageal or gastric disruption drives the decision to "disconnect" the esophagus in order to prevent severe septic complications. The operations employed to re-establish esophageal discontinuity are not standardized and reoperations for re-establishment of the upper digestive transit are a real challenge. This is retrospective study collecting the authors experience during 17 years including 18 patients, 14 of them previously submitted to esophagectomy and four to esophagogastrectomy. They were operated on in order to re-establish the upper digestive tract. Redo esophago-gastro-anastomosis was possible in 12 patients, 10 through cervical approach and combined with sternotomy in four in order to perform the new anastomosis. In five patients a new esophago-colo anastomosis was performed. Free jejunal graft interposition was performed in one patient. Complications occurred in ten patients (55.5 %): anastomotic leaks in three, strictures in four, sternal condritis in two and cervical abscess in one. No mortality was observed. There are different surgical options for the treatment of this difficult and risky clinical situation which must be treated with tailored procedures according to the anatomic segment available to be used, choosing the most conservative procedure.

Talk to us

Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have

Schedule a call

Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.