Free Jejunal Transfer Research Articles

One-Segment Double Vascular Pedicled Free Jejunum Transfer for the Reconstruction of Pharyngoesophageal Defects

The reported success rates of free jejunal transfer are over 95%, but in cases of postoperative vascular thrombosis, the salvage of jejunal flap is often difficult because of poor ischemic tolerance of the jejunum. To reduce the incidence of jejunal necrosis due to vascular thrombosis to nearly zero, we employed one-segment double vascular pedicled free jejunal transfer. Different from conventional double pedicled free jejunal transfer (transfer of the two jejunal segments by anastomosing two pairs of jejunal root vessels), the arcade vessels are used as an additional feeder after the routine anastomosis of jejunal root vessels in our method. Between December 2004 and January 2006, 20 patients with laryngeal, pharyngeal, or cervical esophageal cancer underwent free jejunal transfer using this method. In all patients, the jejunal flap survived completely without any complication associated with vascular anastomosis or blood circulation of the flap. The disadvantage of this procedure is the approximately 1-hour prolonged operative time. Although we have experienced only 20 cases and not obtained statistically significant validity of this method compared with conventional one, we believe that the concept of our method is one of the help for safer pharyngoesophageal reconstruction, especially in patients with higher risk of vascular thrombosis.

Inverted, stapled J‐pouch free jejunal transfer for reconstruction of the pharynx and esophagus

Since the advent of the jejunal free flap in the early 1900s, it has become one of the most effective and widely used methods for reconstruction of circumferential defects of the esophagus, often due to malignant disease. However, as esophageal resections extend further cranially, reconstruction becomes more difficult due to the size discrepancy between the proximal jejunum and the pharygostome. Several authors have described techniques to overcome this problem, although there is, as yet, no consensus on the most effective method. Here we present our experience with an inverted, stapled J-pouch free jejunal transfer, analogous to that used in the ileoanal anastomosis after proctocolectomy for the treatment of ulcerative colitis and familial polyposis coli. In the head and neck, the inverted J-pouch provides several advantages when a resection extends into the pharynx: a closer size match to the large pharyngeal defect, a reservoir to aid swallowing, and increased conduit size proximally to aid gravity-dependent swallowing in the presence of uncoordinated peristalsis and tongue resection. This technique has served as a safe, effective, and rapid operation for this complex reconstructive problem.

Surgical management of carcinoma of the cervical esophagus

The aim of the present study was to clarify the clinicopathological characteristics, reconstruction methods after resection, and prognosis of cervical esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. Seventy-four with squamous cell carcinomas of the cervical esophagus not previously treated who underwent cervical esophagectomy or total esophagectomy with or without laryngectomy were retrospectively analyzed. The operative morbidity and in-hospital mortality rates were 34% (25 patients) and 4% (3 patients), respectively. Alimentary continuity was achieved with free jejunal transfer (50 patients), gastric pull-up (19 patients), and other procedures (5 patients). The frequencies of postoperative complications and death did not differ between free jejunal transfer and gastric pull-up. The overall 3- and 5-year survival rates were 42% and 33%, respectively. The significant clinicopathological factors affecting survival were patient gender, high T factor, lymph node involvement, palpable cervical lymph nodes, vocal cord paralysis, lymphatic invasion, and extracapsular invasion. The pattern of first failure was most often locoregional (82%, 36 patients). The choice of free jejunal transfer or gastric pull-up for reconstruction after surgical resection of cervical esophageal carcinoma depends on the degree of tumor extension. Adverse factors affecting survival should be considered when candidates for the surgery are selected.

Analysis of Salvage Treatments following the Failure of Free Flap Transfer Caused by Vascular Thrombosis in Reconstruction for Head and Neck Cancer

Few authors have reported the subsequent treatment for patients in whom free tissue transfers in the head and neck have failed as a result of vascular thrombosis. Between 1993 and May of 2005, 502 free flaps were transferred after head and neck cancer ablation in the authors' hospital, 19 of which resulted in total necrosis caused by vascular thrombosis. The authors categorized these 19 cases into four groups and analyzed the salvage treatment. For failed free jejunal transfer, early initiation of oral intake was obtained when another free jejunum was transferred. For failed free soft-tissue transfer for intraoral defects, reconstruction with common free (first choice) or pedicled flaps was used: a voluminous musculocutaneous flap for extensive defects, forearm flap or pedicled pectoralis major flap for intermediate defects, and direct closure for small defects of the oral floor. For failed secondary soft-tissue transfer to improve a certain function, salvage flap transfer was not chosen in the acute setting. For failed secondary maxillary reconstruction, simple reconstruction using the rectus abdominis musculocutaneous flap combined with costal cartilage achieved stable results. The overall success rate of the repeated free flap was 89 percent (eight of nine patients). When a free flap is judged unsalvageable, surgeons should determine subsequent treatments, considering the success rate as one of the most important factors. The authors believe that simple reconstruction using a common free flap is the first choice in most cases. When regional or general conditions do not permit further free flap transfer or when defects are comparatively small, reconstruction with a pedicled flap or direct closure of the defect may be considered.

Reconstruction of the hypopharynx after free jejunum flap failure: Is a second free jejunum transfer feasible?

Reconstruction after circumferential pharyngolaryngectomy is a challenging problem. Reconstruction methods should ensure an appropriate mucosa lining of the digestive tract, preferably already tubulized, and peristalsis. Despite the high reported success rates, the jejunum flap is still occasionally lost due to thrombosis of the pedicle and/or fistula formation. Five cases of circumferential pharyngolaryngectomy in which failure of the jejunum loop was managed with a second free or pedicle flap are presented. A second free jejunum was reliable in selected patients, depending on time of detection of flap necrosis, on bacterial control of the wound and on the vascular or general conditions. For this reason, careful monitoring of the flap and clinical signs of necrosis in the first 5 post-operative days is crucial to prevent the formation of fistulas and infection and to increase the possibility of using this kind of salvage surgery. Pedicle flaps should be used only in the event of severe complications because of their high risk of post-operative salivary fistulas.

Free Jejunal Transfer for Patients With a History of Esophagectomy and Gastric Pull-Up

Some patients who undergo pharyngolaryngoesophagectomy with free jejunal transfer reconstruction have a history of esophagectomy and gastric pull-up. We retrospectively reviewed a series of 12 patients to examine the characteristic problems in free jejunal transfer for patients with a history of esophagectomy and gastric pull-up. There was no postoperative thrombosis. No anastomotic leakage or fistula was found. Five of 12 patients presented postoperatively with dysphagia. Two of the 5 patients showed stricture at the distal anastomosis. Three of the 5 patients showed no stricture. However, their reconstructed tracts were tortuous around the distal anastomosis, which could be a cause of dysphagia. Even in patients with a history of esophagectomy and gastric pull-up, free jejunal transfer can be performed safely, although the functional outcome of swallowing is not always satisfactory.

Reconstruction of the hypopharynx with the free jejunum transfer

Microsurgical techniques have revolutionized pharyngolaryngeal reconstruction. Free flap reconstruction with the free jejunal flap enables one stage reconstruction with minimal morbidity and mortality. This review will examine indications, operative technique, postoperative management, and expected outcomes for the hypopharyngeal reconstruction with the free jejunum flap. This procedure allows for maintenance of oral sections and rapid return of per-oral feeds and swallowing. The vast majority of patients resume swallowing and can maintain adequate nutrition without the need for supplemental enteral feeding via a tube. The free jejunal transfer can be rapidly harvested in most instances and transplanted to the hypopharyngeal region with a greater than 95% success rate. The jejunum fee flap is most useful for circumferential defects of the hypopharynx, but can also be used for partial defects. The most common local complications are stricture and fistula formation. A history of preoperative radiation therapy increases the risk of local complications.

Surgical treatment and clinical course of patients with hypopharyngeal carcinoma

In the period between 1 January 1978 and 1 January 2004, 85 patients with hypopharyngeal squamocellular carcinoma were admitted at the Department of Esophagogastric Surgery in Belgrade. Among them, only 46 patients (54.1%) had radical surgical en-block resection and functional neck dissection, and they were included into an historical cohort study. In 40 patients a pharyngolaryngoesophagectomy was performed using for reconstruction, stomach tissue in 29 and colon tissue in 11 patients. Since 1996, in six patients with localized hypopharyngeal carcinoma pharyngolaryngectomy was performed with resection of cervical esophagus and free jejunal graft interposition. The overall incidence of morbidity was 50.0% and the overall mortality rate was 13.0% (6 patients). Mean hospital stay was 35 days (range, 18-78 days). The median survival of patients was 26 months, and overall 5-year survival rate was 26.5%. At present, surgery seems to be the appropriate therapeutic choice for patients with advanced hypopharyngeal carcinoma, providing a definitive palliation of dysphagia and relatively good long-term survival. At our Institution, after pharyngolaryngoesophagectomy, reconstructive method of choice is gastric 'pull-up', and the colon is used only when stomach tissue is not available, that is, previous gastric resections, inappropriate blood supply, synchronous gastric carcinoma and so on. Recently, pharyngolaryngectomy and free jejunal transfer has become the standard technique in patients with small carcinomas (up to 3 cm) confined to the hypopharynx in the absence of synchronous esophageal and/or gastric carcinoma.

Standardization of Free Jejunum Transfer After Total Pharyngolaryngoesophagectomy

Our latest free jejunum transfer procedure was reviewed and compared with previous procedures to standardize the operation. This was a retrospective study of 269 patients who had undergone total pharyngolaryngoesophagectomy and free jejunum transfer from 1992 through 2004. The patients were divided into two groups: a late group, in which surgery was performed with our latest standard procedure from 2000 through 2004, and an early group, in which various procedures had been used from 1992 through 1999. Surgical times, postoperative progress, and complications were evaluated. The mean surgical time was shortened from 3 hours 25 minutes in the early group to 3 hours 9 minutes in the late group, and ischemic time was shortened from 2 hours 44 minutes to 2 hours 20 minutes. For recipient vessels, branches of the external carotid artery and the internal jugular vein were more often used in the late group. Length of hospitalization decreased from 31.7 days in the early group to 24.4 days in the late group, although the start of drinking was similar (15.4 days versus 12.1 days). The rates of complications were significantly reduced in the late group, particularly those associated with the enteric anastomosis such as minor leakage (18.2-5.2%) and stenosis (17.6-3.0%). Our latest method of free jejunum transfer reconstruction has become reliable and expeditious through simple and stable minor revisions of procedures.

Dysphasia due to solitary jejunal diverticulumafter free jejunal transfer for reconstructionof the cervical oesophagus

The free jejunal flap has been widely used in clinical practice for the restoration of the cervical oesophagus, but a variety of complications still pose problems. The purpose of this report is to present a rare complication of the jejunal flap. A diverticulum of the jejunal segment, causing severe dysphagia, occurred 4 years after flap transfer in a 50-year-old man who underwent oesophageal reconstruction due to severe stricture following caustic ingestion. The patient was treated successfully by resection of the diverticulum. When examining a patient with unidentified symptoms in the neck or dysphagia after cervical oesophageal reconstruction with free jejunal transplant the possibility of small bowel diverticula should be borne in mind in order to prevent serious life-threatening complications that may arise from it.

Clinical evaluation and morbidity of 201 free jejunal transfers for oesophagopharyngeal reconstruction during the 20 years 1984–2003

We evaluated 192 patients who had 201 free jejunal transfers for oesophagopharyngeal reconstruction during the 20 years 1984-2003. The main postoperative complications were thrombosis, leaks, and stenosis. In this series, the rate of thrombosis was 7/201 (3.5%), that of leaks was 17/201 (8.5%), and that of stenosis was 25/201 (13.0%). When we assessed the relation between pre-existing conditions, surgical techniques, and these complications, we found only one significant difference: a history of alcohol misuse was associated with a reduction in the incidence of thrombosis. The surgical techniques did not affect the development of leaks or stenosis, which means that a complicated surgical technique is unnecessary.

A Revised Method for Pharyngoesophageal Reconstruction Using Free Jejunal Transfer

Pharyngoesophageal reconstruction using free jejunal transfer is a reliable procedure, but the achievement of perfect functional results is still challenging. We present a devised method. Jejunoesophageal anastomosis is performed after 2 longitudinal incisions are made at the side corners of the esophageal stump. This maneuver not only enlarges the size of the esophageal stump but also provides a "Z-plasty-like" effect, which reduces the risk of delayed stricture formation. The pharyngojejunal anastomosis is performed in an end-to-end manner. Irrespective of the highest point of the pharyngeal defect, a longitudinal incision is made at the edge of the jejunal graft corresponding to the midpoint of the back wall of the pharyngeal stump. With this concept, considerable longitudinal tension is placed on the posterior side of the jejunal graft, whereas moderate tension is placed on the anterior side of the graft, which prevents the fistula formation that tends to occur in the anterior suture line. Twenty patients underwent the reconstruction using this operative procedure. In all cases, postoperative deglutition was satisfactory without jejunal redundancy or constriction. We believe that our method can be applied in most cases of pharyngoesophageal defects, providing simple and reasonable reconstruction using free jejunal transfer with stable results.

Secondary Reconstruction of Failed Esophageal Reconstruction

Between June 1992 and November 2002, 17 patients underwent secondary reconstruction of circumferential esophageal defects due to the failure of immediate reconstruction following ablation of thoracic esophageal cancer. Salvage reconstruction was achieved using free jejunal transfer in 13 patients (including long segment with double vascular pedicle in 2 cases), skin and/or musculocutaneous flap in 2 cases, and jejunal pull-up in 2 cases. In 5 patients, the second salvage surgery was required because of the failed first salvage. However, successful restoration of the esophagus and peroral alimentation was finally achieved in 16 of 17 patients, except 1 patient with several salvage operations using skin and musculocutaneous flap because the gut was unusable. We concluded that the preferred first choice for salvage restoration is free jejunal transfer. If the length of the esophageal defect is extensive, colonic interposition or jejunal pedicle with microvascular anastomosis for supercharging is the next option. If these procedures cannot be used, the transfer of a long jejunal segment with double vascular pedicles is recommended. Reconstruction using skin and/or musculocutaneous flap is the final option. As primary wound closure is often difficult in secondary reconstruction of the esophagus, a pectoralis major musculocutaneous flap is reliable to cover the reconstructed esophagus because skin flaps located in the neck region may be damaged by neck dissection or irradiation, and coverage of the anastomosis with muscle between the digestive tracts is effective to prevent leakage.

Tracheostomal and Cervical Esophageal Reconstruction with Combined Deltopectoral Flap and Microvascular Free Jejunal Transfer after Central Neck Exenteration

Combined defects of the skin, larynx, pharynx, and esophagus after central compartment exenteration of the neck can be extremely difficult to reconstruct. The objective of this article is to evaluate reconstruction of the central compartment using a combination of free jejunal transfer for pharyngoesophageal reconstruction, together with regional deltopectoral flaps for tracheostomal reconstruction and cutaneous resurfacing. Myocutaneous flaps, such as pectoralis major and latissimus dorsi flaps, have been used previously for external coverage but can be bulky, causing obstruction of the tracheostoma. From 1995 to 2002, seven patients underwent reconstruction of the central compartment with seven jejunal and nine deltopectoral flaps. Five patients required resection for tracheostomal recurrence of squamous cell carcinoma, and two patients required resection for massive pharyngocutaneous fistulas. Flap survival, complications, and outcomes were evaluated retrospectively. The mean age of the patients was 68.7 years and the mean length of follow-up was 1.9 years. Overall free jejunal and deltopectoral flap survival was 100 percent, with no partial loss. All patients maintained an adequate airway with stomal patency. These complicated defects can be effectively repaired with free jejunal transfers to restore continuity of the alimentary tract and deltopectoral flaps to reconstruct the tracheostoma and surrounding cutaneous defects. The deltopectoral flap provides a large volume of well-vascularized tissue that provides reliable coverage of the newly reconstructed cervical esophagus and exposed major vessels following exenteration of the central compartment. Its thin, pliable nature allows suturing of the tracheal remnants to skin edges without tension and avoids intraluminal prolapse of excess soft tissues, thus maintaining stomal patency.

Double Vascular Pedicled Free Jejunum Transfer for Total Esophageal Reconstruction

A double vascular pedicled free jejunum was transferred in two patients with complete esophageal defect. When the stomach and colon, which are usually employed for esophageal reconstruction, cannot be used due to previous operations or for other reasons, the jejunum is the next alternative. However, pedicled jejunal transposition is limited in length and may not reach a suitable level over the lower cervical esophagus, even if the distal portion is supercharged. Under such circumstances, a long jejunal segment with two vascular pedicles can be transferred as a free flap and used to reconstruct the whole esophagus in one stage. The paper describes two cases and discusses the advantages of double vascular pedicled free jejunum transfer.

Flap Prefabrication – The Bridge Between Conventional Flaps and Tissue-engineered Flaps

Flap prefabrication is one of the most exciting areas in Plastic Surgery because of its bridging role between conventional reconstructive surgery and tissue engineering. Using this technique, tissues such as bone, cartilage, skin and muscle can be preassembled to form precise composites that will fit any defect. In pre-lamination, for example, an ear may be created by burying cartilage underneath forearm skin and later harvested as a skin-cartilage composite free flap to replace the missing part. Vascular induction is yet another means of customising flaps where new blood supply is introduced to create transplantable tissue. For example, bone chips wrapped in a vascular carrier such as muscle can become vascularised grafts. Our experiment describes jejunal prefabrication in a rat model using the same technique. Intestinal segments wrapped in muscle flaps become independent of their mesenteric blood supply by “parasitising” on the muscle’s blood supply. This idea arose from our initial observations that intestinal segments transferred to the neck to reconstruct the oesophagus could survive accidental disruption of the pedicle if sufficient time had elapsed. Clearly, the bowel had picked up new blood supply from its bed. Subsequently, jejunal prefabrication was used to reconstruct the oesophagus in a patient in whom there were no recipient vessels for free jejunal transfer. The pedicled latissimus dorsi muscle flap was used as a carrier for the jejunum. Another application of this idea could be in the area of allogeneic trachea or pancreatic transplantation, since present-day techniques have yet to overcome problems such as insufficient vascularity and unpredictable transplant survival. Future applications incorporating biomaterials and cultured cells will usher in the era of tissue- engineered flaps.

Adequate venous drainage: the most critical factor for a successful free jejunal transfer.

Reconstruction of the cervical esophagus with free jejunum can yield excellent functional results. Flap survival alone, however, does not guarantee satisfying functional outcomes. Critical factors that determine the level of function of the flap include the duration of ischemia and degree of venous congestion. An attempt is made in this study to evaluate the degree that these 2 factors influence outcome and to establish safe methods for avoiding suboptimal functional results. Out of 71 patients that underwent free jejunal transfer for the reconstruction of the cervical esophagus between January 1995 and December 1999, 60 patients with available chart records were included into this study. A retrospective chart review was performed on all 60 patients to evaluate the degree of venous congestion in those patients and the choice of recipient veins and method of anastomosis of those veins (end-to-end versus end-to-side). A more detailed review was performed on the 8 patients that underwent reexploration and detailed history, operative method, ischemia time, choice of recipient vessels, technique of anastomosis, immediate postoperative course, and outcome were determined. Following exploration of the flaps, all flaps survived. Two developed partial necrosis. When smaller veins were used as recipient vessels, the chances of venous congestion were found to be higher than when larger recipient veins were used (chi2 analysis, P <0.02). Method of anastomosis and previous radiotherapy were both found to be significant determinants of venous congestion (chi2 P <0.05 for both). Venous problems accounted for 87.5% (7/8) of all reexplorations. In 75% (6/8) of the reexplored patients, pharyngocutaneous fistula formation or stricture formation was noted.The degree of venous congestion and previous radiotherapy are factors that influence the functional outcome of free jejunal flaps. Proper selection of the recipient veins is a critical factor in providing adequate venous outflow and minimizing venous congestion. End-to-side anastomosis to large vessels is a more reliable method that was found to have a significant influence on minimizing venous congestion and is a useful method for the salvage of venous congested flaps.

Timing of percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy tube placement after cervical esophageal reconstruction with free jejunal transfer.

The timing of percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) tube placement in patients who undergo cervical esophageal reconstruction using free jejunal transfer is controversial. The purpose of this study was to review the authors' experience with pharyngeal reconstruction using free jejunal transfer to establish useful guidelines for enteral tube placement. A retrospective analysis of all patients treated with free jejunal autografts for reconstruction of cervical esophageal defects during a 12-year period was performed. A total of 105 patients underwent 108 esophageal reconstructions using these techniques. Sixty-three patients (60%) did not have enteral tube placement at any time, whereas 42 patients had gastrostomy or PEG tubes placed preoperatively (n = 12), intraoperatively (n = 8), or postoperatively. The majority of patients were able to resume per-oral feeds and avoid long-term tube feeds (86.7%). Most patients who underwent preoperative or intraoperative enteral tube feed placement had them removed postoperatively (82%). Only patients who required postoperative placement of feeding tubes required prolonged feeding tube support. In conclusion, most patients who undergo esophageal reconstruction using free jejunal transfer recover the ability to swallow and maintain adequate nutrition without supplemental enteral tube feeds. Preoperative gastrostomy tube placement is not necessary in most patients unless severe preoperative nutritional compromise is present.

Strategy in the treatment of hypo-pharyngeal and cervical esophageal carcinoma

In the period between January 1st, 1978 and January 1st, 2003, 82 unselected patients with hypopharyngeal and cervical esophageal squamocellular carcinoma were treated at the Department of Esophagogastric Surgery, First University Surgical Hospital, Clinical Center of Serbia. In 43 (52.4%) patients operated with curative intent, radical surgical en-block resection and functional neck dissection has been performed. In 26 (60.5%) patient reconstruction was performed with stomach, in 11 (25.6%) left colon, and 6 (14%) free jejunal transfer. The overall 2-year and 5-year survival rate were 55.88% (19 patients) and 26.47% (9 patients), respectively. No patient undergoing nutritive gastrostomy and radiotherapy was alive after two years. At present surgery looks like the treatment of choice for hypopharyngeal and cervical esophageal carcinoma, providing a definitive palliation of dysphagia and better long-term survival. Free jejunal transfer has become the standard technique for reconstruction of the pharynx and hypopharynx especially with proximal lesions, whereas, gastric tube interposition is the technique of choice for reconstruction of the hypopharynx and cervical esophagus when the resection extends below the thoracic inlet or when there is a presence of synchronous carcinoma of theesophageal.

Intramucosal PCO2 measurement as a new monitoring method of free jejunal transfer following pharyngo-laryngo-esophagectomy.

The choices for practical monitoring of free jejunal transfer have been quite limited because of its own characteristics, such as buried form, lack of skin surface, and the structure of a hollow viscous tract. Physiologically, it is known that tissue hypoxia caused by compromised perfusion leads to an increase of partial pressure of carbon dioxide (PCO2). Because of its physiological properties, the diffusion of carbon dioxide is always equilibrated between the mucosa of a hollow viscous organ and its lumen. The intramucosal PCO2 (PiCO2) of the gastrointestinal tract can therefore be determined indirectly from the intraluminal PCO2, which is measured with the aid of the tonometer catheter. To develop an optimal monitoring method for free jejunal transfer, the authors proposed the application of PiCO2 measurement by a modified use of a tonometer catheter. Since May of 1999, the authors performed postoperative PiCO2 monitoring on 20 cases of reconstructed pharyngoesophageal tracts in 18 patients who underwent radical tumor resection and one-stage reconstruction at the Shizuoka Red Cross Hospital. All 20 cases were safely monitored by PiCO2 measurement without any complications associated with the use of the tonometer catheter. In the 17 cases that succeeded uneventfully, the mean values of PiCO2 were kept lower than 40 mmHg throughout the monitoring period. On the other hand, the other three cases (15 percent) needed reexploration due to development of vascular complications, which was alerted by an abrupt increase of PiCO2 in each case (229, 130, and 99.6 mmHg). Two of the patients were fortunately successfully treated by immediate reexploration, leading to a 95 percent overall success rate. No false-negative or false-positive cases were observed. The authors' experience suggests that PiCO2 measurement using a tonometer catheter can provide the surgeon with reliable information for evaluating the perfusion and viability of a free jejunal transfer. Simplified manipulation and the objectivity of the numerical data allow stable measurement of PiCO2 and prompt judgment of the adequacy of the perfusion, which could minimize the burden and anxiety of the surgeon, particularly in the early postoperative period.