食管癌切除术后不同重建途径吻合口瘘的原因及预防

目的了解食管癌切除术后经不同径路重建,发生吻合口瘘的情况;探讨系统性淋巴结清扫后,经胸骨后胃代食管颈部吻合口瘘发生率较高的原因及预防方法。方法1105例行食管癌切除术的患者,229例经左胸行胸内吻合(A组),716例经右胸食管床胃代食管行颈部吻合(B组),160例予以系统性淋巴结清扫术后经胸骨后行颈部吻合(C组)。分析比较不同手术径路的3组患者术后吻合口瘘发生的情况。结果吻合口瘘发生率分别为:A组5/229(2.2%)、B组85/716(11.9%)、C组31/160(19.4%),C组吻合口瘘发生率显著高于A、B组(P<0.01和P<0.05)。比较C组不同重建方式吻合口瘘发生率显示,手工吻合与器械吻合(22.2%与11.6%,P=0.133)、全胃重建与管状胃重建(25%与15.6%,P=0.146)间吻合口瘘发生率无明显差异,而延长胃肠减压管留置时间至术后7d,吻合口瘘发生率由23.3%降至9.1%(P<0.05)。结论胸骨后胃代食管吻合口瘘发生率较高的主要原因,是前纵隔内的胃体受压、冲击吻合口所致;通过延长胃肠减压管留置时间能有效减少瘘的发生。     

The width of a gastric tube has no impact on outcome after esophagectomy

BACKGROUND: We evaluated the impact of the size of gastric tubes on tissue blood flow of the anastomotic site, the frequency of leakage and the postoperative nutritional status. METHODS: Forty-four patients were randomly allocated to either reconstruction using subtotal stomach (n = 22) or to reconstruction using slender gastric tube (n = 22) after esophagectomy. The tissue blood flow at the anastomotic site was measured. The postoperative nutritional status of 17 patients without recurrence was examined. Possible correlations between the type of esophageal substitute and the tendency to leakage as well as postoperative nutritional status were examined. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in the tissue blood and the frequency of leakage between the types of gastric tubes. There was no significant difference noted between the two in the postoperative nutritional status at 6 and 12 months after operation. CONCLUSIONS: The width of gastric tube has no impact on tissue blood flow, the frequency of leakage, and the postoperative nutritional status after esophagectomy.     

Using the supercharge technique to additionally revascularize the gastric tube after a subtotal esophagectomy for esophageal cancer

BACKGROUND: Maintaining sufficient blood flow to the gastric tube after a subtotal esophagectomy for esophageal cancer is crucial for decreasing esophagogastric anastomotic leakage. METHODS: After subtotal esophagectomy for esophageal cancer, the supercharge technique was performed in 21 esophageal reconstruction patients to additionally revascularize the gastric tube using the splenic artery and vein, external carotid artery, and internal jugular vein. Operative results of the supercharge group were retrospectively compared with those of the control group (patients not receiving the technique). RESULTS: Both operation time and operative blood loss in the supercharge group were significantly longer and larger than those of the control group. However, the incidence of anastomotic leakage was significantly lower in the supercharge group than in the control group. CONCLUSION: This practical supercharge technique reduces leakage during esophageal anastomosis.     

Surgical therapy of advanced esophageal cancer. A critical appraisal

Thirty-five patients with advanced esophageal carcinoma underwent esophagogastrectomy. Of these, 13 patients underwent esophagogastrectomy through midline celiotomy and right thoracotomy incisions (Group 1), and 20 patients underwent extrathoracic esophagectomy with either reversed gastric tube (Group 2) or isoperistaltic tube reconstruction (Group 3). Morbidity was significantly greater in patients who underwent extrathoracic esophagectomy due to more severe pulmonary complications and anastomotic fistulas. Because of these complications, a longer interval to solid food ingestion occurred in the extrathoracic esophagectomy group. Long-term survival was not affected by the operative procedure utilized. Extrathoracic esophagectomy with cervical anastomosis is associated with more complications than an intrathoracic anastomosis, resulting in inferior palliation for patients with advanced esophageal carcinoma.     

Effect of pyloric drainage procedures on gastric passage and bile reflux after esophagectomy with gastric conduit reconstruction

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Controversy still exists about the need for pyloric drainage procedures (pyloroplasty or pyloromyotomy) after esophagectomy with esophagogastrostomy and vagotomy. Although pyloric drainage may prevent postoperative delayed gastric emptying, it may also promote bile reflux into the oesophagus. We analysed pyloric drainage methods for their potential effect on gastric outlet obstruction and bile reflux in patients undergoing esophagectomy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: One hundred and ninety-eight patients with esophageal carcinoma were treated by transthoracal esophagectomy with gastric conduit reconstruction either with pyloromyotomy (group II, n = 118), pyloroplasty (group III, n = 34) or without pyloric drainage (group I, n = 46) between January 2000 and December 2004. The postoperative gastrointestinal passage by radiological investigation, anastomotic leakage rate, mortality and incidence of gastroesophageal reflux by endoscopy within the first postoperative year were retrospectively analysed. RESULTS: Patient demographics and the types of surgical procedures did not differ between the three groups. There was no difference in hospital mortality, anastomotic leakage rate, gastrointestinal passage and postoperative hospital stay between the three groups. However, more patients with pyloric drainage showed bile reflux (I = 0% vs II+III=14.9%, p = 0.069) and reflux esophagitis (I = 10.3% vs II+III = 34.5%, p < 0.05) compared to patients without pyloric drainage. On the multivariate analysis, pyloric drainage and the anastomotic height were independent and were significant risk factors associated with postoperative reflux esophagitis. CONCLUSION: Pyloric drainage after esophagectomy with gastric conduit reconstruction should be omitted because it does not improve gastric emptying and may favour biliary reflux esophagitis.     

Revascularization using the short gastric vessels of the gastric tube after subtotal esophagectomy for intrathoracic esophageal carcinoma

BACKGROUND: Maintaining sufficient blood flow to the substitutive organ after esophagectomy is essential to decrease the risk of anastomotic leakage. STUDY DESIGN: Forty-one patients underwent subtotal esophagectomy for intrathoracic esophageal carcinoma and reconstruction using the gastric tube. Additional vascular anastomosis between the short gastric vessels and the vessels in the neck was performed in 15 patients. Tissue blood flow was measured by laser Doppler flowmetry before and after vascular anastomosis. The incidence of anastomotic leakage in the revascularization group was compared with that in the remaining 26 patients. RESULTS: Venous anastomosis was performed in 14 patients and arterial anastomosis in 9. There was a significant increase in tissue blood flow after venous anastomosis alone (mean percent increase: 36%; p < 0.01), and after arterial and venous anastomoses (mean percent increase: 108%; p < 0.01). No anastomotic leakage was observed in the revascularization group; six patients (23.1%) in the control group had leakage (p < 0.05). Patients in the revascularization group started taking a meal 10.0 +/- 0.4 days postoperatively, compared with 15.1 +/- 1.8 days in the control group (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Additional vascular anastomosis in esophageal reconstruction after subtotal esophagectomy achieved good results. This procedure can reduce the risk of anastomotic leakage and may be useful for esophageal reconstruction.     

Indocyanine Green Angiography for Evaluation of Gastric Conduit Perfusion during Esophagectomy - First Experience

Background : A complication of esophageal surgery is leakage at the anastomosis site and one of the factors involved in this complication is poor blood flow in the distal portion of the tube. The aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of indocyanine green fluorescence imaging as a method of determining the perfusion of the gastric conduit after esophagectomy.

Methods : We analysed 15 consecutive patients who underwent transhiatal esophagectomy (THE) due to cancer. All of the patients had reconstruction of the gastrointestinal tract using the gastric conduit. Before performing the anastomosis, the blood flow in the area of the tube was evaluated using intravenous indocyanine green and observing its vascular flow with a camera equipped with an infrared laser.

Results : In all cases it was possible to visualize the vascular flow of indocyanine green within the region of the gastric tube. The fluorescence imaging system showed vascular insufficiency of the distal gastric conduit in 4 patients - in all of these patients the anastomosis was performed end-to-side and there was no subsequent leak. Leakage at the anastomosis site was observed in 1 patient (6,66%). The leak was observed in the 9^th postoperative day, despite visualization of a good vascular supply of the tube.

Conclusions : Indocyanine green fluorescence imaging of gastric tube allows for intraoperative modifications, but it must be noted that the patient’s comorbidities and general health may also increase the risk of anastomosis leakage.     

Collare Anastomosenstenosen nach Magenhochzug beim Ösophaguskarzinom

Common late complications after esophagectomy and gastric tube reconstruction for esophageal carcinoma are symptomatic, benign fibrotic stenoses of the cervical anastomosis, which require dilatation. Since the prognosis of esophageal carcinoma still remains poor, bad functional results such as dysphagia affect quality of life. In a retrospective analysis, our patients were evaluated with regard to the underlying effects of cervical anastomotic stenosis after esophagectomy and gastric tube reconstruction. From 1 January 1989 to 31 July 1995, 173 patients with carcinoma of the esophagus were operated in our institution. Transhiatal esophageal dissection was performed in 133 patients; 40 patients underwent transthoracic en bloc resection. The 30-day mortality rate was 7.5% (13 patients). Postoperative fibrotic stenosis of the cervical anastomosis requiring dilatation occurred in 36.4% (63 patients) 6–12 weeks after operation. Fibrotic stenosis of the cervical anastomosis did not develop in 97 patients. There was a significant difference concerning the incidence of anastomotic leaks within both groups: whereas in 23.8% of the 63 patients who developed a fibrotic stricture of the cervical anastomosis an anastomotic leak preceded this event (P<0.001), no anastomotic leak occurred in the group of 97 patients with normal healing of the cervical anastomosis. In addition, significantly (P<0.01) more patients (37.5%,n=23) with preexisting diabetes mellitus could be found among the 63 patients who developed a fibrotic stricture of the cervical anastomosis, in contrast to the 97 patients without anastomotic stenosis.     

Extrathoracic esophagectomy in the treatment of esophageal cancer

Extrathoracic esophagectomy has the potential of improving the results of resectional therapy for carcinoma of the esophagus by eliminating the need for thoracotomy and decreasing postoperative pulmonary complications. This report compares the operative and functional results of blunt extrathoracic esophagectomy and substernal reversed gastric tube reconstruction in patients with esophageal cancer to results in 10 consecutive nonrandomized control patients treated by standard esophagogastrectomy. Extrathoracic esophagectomy was associated with greater pulmonary dysfunction than standard esophagogastrectomy. While there was no significant difference in survival in the two groups, three patients in the standard esophagogastrectomy group (mean survival 9.0 months) and none in the extrathoracic esophagectomy group (mean survival 7.4 months) developed anastomotic recurrence. Extrathoracic esophagectomy evidently does not afford patients with esophageal carcinoma better palliation than standard esophagogastrectomy.     

食管切除术后管状胃不同上提径路的比较

目的 比较食管癌三切口手术后,管状胃经胸骨后和经食管床两种径路上提行胃食管颈部吻合的安全性和有效性.方法 回顾性分析2005年7月至2009年5月间107例行食管癌三切口手术患者的临床资料.结果 本组患者上提管状胃采用经胸骨后径路行胃食管颈部吻合者52例,经食管床径路者55例.两种径路吻合组在手术时间、术中出血量及胸管置管方面差异均无统计学意义（P＞0.05）.胸骨后径路组的住院时间[（12.9±9.4）d]长于食管床径路组[（9.9±5.4）d,P＜0.05].两组均无围手术期死亡病例.胸骨后径路组的吻合口瘘发生率（26.9%）明显高于食管床径路组（5.5%）（P＜0.01）;两组患者肺部感染、肺不张和心律失常等心肺并发症发生率差异无统计学意义（P＞0.05）.结论 经胸骨后和经食管床径路管状胃上提均为有效、安全的途径;但胸骨后径路术后吻合口瘘发生率较高.应个体化选择管状胃的上提径路.     

Transient Bloodletting of the Short Gastric Vein in the Reconstructed Gastric Tube Improves Gastric Microcirculation During Esophagectomy

Background The reasons for anastomotic leakage in esophago-gastrostomy have been proposed to be poor arterial inflow and insufficient venous drainage at the anastomotic site. In order to improve the congestive status, we developed a novel and easy surgical procedure of transient bloodletting from the short gastric vein after making a gastric tube during esophagectomy, and evaluated tissue blood flow. Methods Patients with esophageal cancer, who had received transthoracic esophagectomy and gastric tube reconstruction with intrathoracic anastomosis, were enrolled. After making a slender gastric tube, transient bloodletting from the short gastric vein at the most cardiac site was performed for 30 minutes. The tissue blood flow of the proximal end of the gastric tube was measured using a laser Doppler flowmeter, and was compared in the bloodletting group (n = 68) and the control group without bloodletting (n = 8). Results In the bloodletting group, tissue blood flow 5 minutes after the start of bloodletting was markedly increased in comparison to that before bloodletting (9.5 ± 4.9 ml/min/100 g vs. 24.1 ± 5.9 ml/min/100 g). The elevated levels of tissue blood flow remained at almost constant levels after ceasing bloodletting and lasted until esophago-gastrostomy (20.1 ± 3.9 ml/min/100 g). On the contrary, in the control group without bloodletting, tissue blood flows were marginally increased following construction of a gastric tube, but the changes did not reach significant levels. When the tissue blood flow just before esophago-gastrostomy was compared in the bloodletting and control groups, the flows in the bloodletting group were significantly more elevated than those in the control group (20.1 ± 3.9 vs. 15.2 ± 4.9 ml/min/100 g). Conclusions Transient bloodletting of the short gastric vein in the gastric tube during esophagectomy may improve the microcirculation of the oral side of the gastric tube.     

Supercharged gastric tube pull-up procedure for total esophageal reconstruction

Total esophageal reconstruction using a gastric tube is complicated because it sometimes causes postoperative complications such as anastomotic leakage, stenosis, or fistula formation resulting from insufficient blood flow at the distal end. To overcome this problem, during the past 5 years the authors performed seven additional microvascular anastomoses using the short gastric vessels of the gastric tube. No postoperative complications occurred except partial tracheal necrosis in 1 patient. Postoperative radiographic examination showed no reflux or stasis in all patients, and no evidence of necrosis at the anastomotic site of the pulled-up gastric tube was observed by postoperative endoscopy. This technique reduces risk and may contribute to the successful reconstruction of the digestive tract after total esophagectomy.     

High incidence of reflux esophagitis observed by routine endoscopic examination after gastric pull-up esophagectomy

Abstract A gastric tube has been widely used for reconstruction of the esophagus after esophagectomy for esophageal cancer. Reflux esophagitis after esophagectomy is frequently observed. Therefore we retrospectively investigated the risk factors for reflux esophagitis after gastric pull-up esophagectomy in 74 outpatients with thoracic esophageal cancer. Reflux esophagitis was diagnosed endoscopically. Esophagitis was classified according to the Los Angeles classification. Reflux symptoms, medications, and the surgical procedure were reviewed. The relation between reflux symptoms and reflux esophagitis and the influence of the anastomotic site were evaluated. Reflux esophagitis was observed in 53 patients. Severe esophagitis (grade C or D) was found in 75.6% of these patients. Although all patients with esophagitis took antacid agents, histamine receptor-2 blocker was effective in only 35% of them. The correlation between reflux symptoms and reflux esophagitis was not significant. Reflux esophagitis was present in 56.4% of patients with neck anastomosis and in 88.6% of patients with intrathoracic anastomosis (p = 0.0039). We concluded that routine endoscopic examination is necessary after gastric pull-up esophagectomy because reflux esophagitis is not diagnosed based on reflux symptoms. When a gastric tube is used for reconstruction after esophagectomy, neck anastomosis is recommended to lower the risk of reflux esophagitis. Electronic Publication     

Beneficial effect of prostaglandin E1 on blood flow to the gastric tube after esophagectomy.

BACKGROUND: A prospective study on the vasodilatory effect of prostaglandin E1 on blood flow to the gastric tube after esophagectomy is reported. METHODS: Twelve patients with thoracic esophageal cancer who underwent esophagectomy were enrolled in this study. In all patients, the esophagogastrostomy was performed in the cervical region, and the stomach was used for reconstruction. Immediately after the creation of the gastric tube, baseline blood flow was measured at the oral end, in the center, and at the pyloric ring of the gastric tube using a laser Doppler flowmeter. The prostaglandin E1 group (n = 6) was then infused with prostaglandin E1 until postoperative day 2; the control group (n = 6) received saline. At +5 minutes and +40 minutes after administration, blood flow was again measured at the same three sites. RESULTS: The control group did not show a significant increase of blood flow to any site over time. For the prostaglandin E1 group, blood flow at +40 minutes increased from the baseline measurements significantly at a rate of 63%, 39%, and 36%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Prostaglandin E1 has a characteristic vasodilating effect on the area of impaired microcirculation of the gastric tube, thereby increasing blood flow to the affected area.     

管状胃与全胃重建食管治疗食管癌疗效的系统评价与Meta分析

目的系统评价食管癌根治术中管状胃与全胃重建食管的疗效。方法检索PubMed、Web of Science、The Cochrane Library、EMbase、CNKI、Wanfang Data、VIP和CBM数据库,收集比较管状胃和全胃食管重建术治疗食管癌临床效果的随机对照研究,检索时间均为建库至2019年5月。采用RevMan 5.3软件进行Meta分析。结果纳入29个随机对照研究,共3012例患者,文献质量评价显示文章质量均为良好。Meta分析结果显示,与全胃代食管组相比,管状胃组的吻合口瘘[RR=0.64,95%CI(0.50,0.83),P=0.0006]、吻合口狭窄[RR=0.65,95%CI(0.50,0.86),P=0.002]、胸胃综合征[RR=0.19,95%CI(0.13,0.27),P<0.001]、反流性食管炎[RR=0.23,95%CI(0.19,0.30),P<0.001]、胃排空障碍[RR=0.39,95%CI(0.27,0.57),P<0.001]和肺部感染[RR=0.44,95%CI(0.31,0.62),P<0.001]等术后并发症均明显减少,术后6个月和1年的生活质量评分和满意度更高(P<0.05)。在术中出血量和术后住院时间方面,管状胃也比全胃更好(P<0.05)。但在手术时间,术后胃肠减压时间,术后闭式引流时间,术后1年、2年、3年生存率,术后3周和3个月的生活质量评分以及术后3周生活满意度方面,两组差异均无统计学意义(P>0.05)。结论管状胃比全胃在食管癌根治术的安全性与有效性方面更有优势。     

管状胃在食管癌切除术颈部吻合中的应用

目的探讨管状胃在食管癌切除术食管胃颈部吻合中的临床应用,总结其经验。方法将苏北人民医院2007年1月至2009年1月经"颈、胸、腹"三切口手术治疗食管癌患者850例,按手术先后分成A、B两组。A组行管状胃代食管手术,共425例,男287例,女138例;年龄(58.2±11.5)岁,其中食管上段癌27例,食管中段癌346例,食管下段癌52例。B组行全胃代食管手术,共425例,男298例,女127例;年龄(58.5±12.8)岁,其中食管上段癌33例,食管中段癌338例,食管下段癌54例。观察两组患者手术时间、住院时间以及术后吻合口瘘、吻合口狭窄、胸胃综合征、反流性食管炎等术后并发症的发生情况。结果全组患者均顺利完成手术,无死亡患者,A、B两组手术时间[(175.0±12.8)min vs.(171.0±10.5)min,t=1.702,P>0.05]和术后住院时间[(16.0±8.5)dvs.(16.3±8.8)d,t=1.773,P>0.05]差异均无统计学意义。术后随访6个月,无失访,A组吻合口瘘(χ2=5.550,P<0.05),反流性食管炎(χ2=9.150,P<0.05),胸胃综合征(χ2=10.500,P<0.05)等并发症发生率比B组低,且差异有统计学意义。两组吻合口狭窄发生率差异无统计学意义(χ2=0.120,P>0.05)。结论在经"颈、胸、腹"三切口治疗食管癌手术中,管状胃代食管更符合生理解剖要求,降低吻合口瘘、胸胃综合征及反流性食管炎等并发症发生率,改善患者术后生活质量。     

Fundus Rotation Gastroplasty vs. Kirschner-Akiyama Gastric Tube in Esophageal Resection: Comparison of Perioperative and Long-Term Results

BACKGROUND: Improved tube length and low anastomotic leakage rates have been demonstrated for fundus rotation gastroplasty (FRG) after esophageal resection. The aim of the present study was to compare the safety of FRG vs. the conventional Kirschner-Akiyama gastric tube in a large prospective clinical series. METHODS: All patients with primary esophageal cancer who were to undergo esophageal resection at the authors' department were prospectively assessed. The subgroup of patients in whom FRG or the Kirschner-Akiyama reconstruction with either intrathoracic or cervical anastomosis was performed between October 2001 and November 2005 was analyzed for perioperative surgical and nonsurgical complications and for long-term survival. RESULTS: FRG was performed in 57 patients and Akiyama reconstruction was performed in 54 patients with potentially curative resectable carcinoma. The patients had a mean age of 60.3 years. Tumor type was squamous cell carcinoma in 51 patients and adenocarcinoma (AEG types I and II) in 60 patients. There were no differences between the reconstruction groups with respect to age, gender, tumor type, neoadjuvant treatment, and tumor stage. Duration of surgery, blood loss, resection margins, extent of lymphadenectomy, ICU stay, and hospital stay also did not show any significant differences. Overall leakage rate, including tube ischemia, was 9.9% and mortality was 2.7%. Compared with the Akiyama reconstruction, FRG was performed significantly more often in combination with cervical anastomosis (4 vs. 22, respectively, p = 0.0001). Uni- and multivariate analyses excluded the reconstruction type as a possible parameter for insufficiency. Furthermore, neither hospital mortality nor long-term survival was significantly different between the two groups. CONCLUSION: This clinical series is the first to compare FRG and conventional gastric tube reconstruction after esophagectomy in esophageal cancer. With comparable perioperative and long-term results of either technique, the increased length of the FRG tube may have advantages for reconstruction with cervical anastomosis.     

Does continuous mucosal partial carbon dioxide pressure measurement predict leakage of intrathoracic esophagogastrostomy?

BACKGROUND: Gastroplasty after esophagectomy is associated with relevant morbidity due to anastomotic leakage of the esophagogastrostomy. The aim of this study was to find out whether continuous partial carbon dioxide pressure (pCO2) measurement of the gastric mucosa is an adequate method of monitoring the gastric tube during the postoperative course and of detecting patients with an anastomotic leakage. METHODS: Forty-seven patients with esophageal cancer underwent esophagectomy and gastric tube formation with intrathoracic esophagogastrostomy. Postoperatively, mucosal pCO2 of the gastric tube (pCO2i) was measured using continuous tonometry (TONOCAP, Datex Ohmeda). pCO2i was related to the arterial pCO2 (delta pCO2 = pCO2i - pCO2a). RESULTS: A total of 4,338 delta pCO2 measurements were recorded. On average, the pCO2i of each patient was monitored over a period of 92 hours. In 5 patients an anastomotic leakage of the esophagogastrostomy developed. The mean delta pCO2 of this group was 31.7 mm Hg (+/-19.3 SD) and significantly higher (p < 0.0001) than that of patients without anastomotic leakage (20.7 mm Hg +/- 12.8 SD). With a delta pCO2 cut-off point of 56 mm Hg measured for 5 hours, the sensitivity was 0.8, the specificity 0.9, and the positive predictive value 0.5. In patients with anastomotic leakage, the peak delta pCO2 preceded clinical symptoms. False positive delta pCO2 measurements (n = 4) were mainly due to severe pneumonia with long-term ventilation. CONCLUSIONS: Mucosal pCO2 measurement of the gastric tube can be used as an early indicator of a complicated postoperative course predicting anastomotic leakage of the esophagogastrostomy.     

Reconstruction after thoracic esophagectomy

Reconstruction after thoracic esophagectomy is difficult and various problems may be encountered. The organ of first choice for use in esophageal reconstruction is the stomach, followed by the colon. The main problems in esophageal reconstruction are: (1) the degree of elevation of the reconstruction to the cervical area; (2) maintaining visceral blood circulation in the reconstructed organ; and (3) avoiding insufficient suturing. Other problems include prevention of anastomotic stricture and maintenance of postoperative nutrition. This paper describes the art of preserving the reconstruction using the gastric tube and colon with good blood circulation, measures to prevent the occurrence of hematogenous disorders, choice of reconstructive root and anastomotic method, and likely future developments in this type of reconstructive surgery.     

Feasibility of esophageal reconstruction using a pedicled jejunum with intrathoracic esophagojejunostomy in the upper mediastinum for esophageal cancer

Objective

An alternative conduit is needed when the gastric tube cannot be used as an esophageal substitute for reconstruction after esophagectomy. We adopted pedicle jejunal reconstruction with intrathoracic anastomosis in the upper mediastinum under such circumstances. The aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of this technique.

Methods

Two hundred and ten patients with esophageal cancer underwent esophagectomy and reconstruction from 1998 to 2013. Among them, 6 patients underwent colon interposition (colon group) and 13 underwent jejunum reconstruction (jejunum group) including 8 thoracoscopic anastomosis. The operative results of both groups were compared with those of 191 gastric tube reconstructions (stomach group).

Results

The operative times in the colon and jejunum groups were significantly longer than that in the stomach group (P = 0.001 and P = 0.018, respectively). The colon group showed more operative blood loss and more frequent anastomotic leakage and ischemic stenosis of the conduit than did the stomach group (1605 vs. 530 g, P = 0.007; 50 vs. 12.6 %, P = 0.035; 16.7 vs. 0 %, P = 0.03, respectively). There was no anastomotic leakage, conduit necrosis and mortality in the jejunum group. Ischemic stenosis of the conduit occurred more frequently in jejunum group than in the stomach group (23.1 vs. 0 %, P < 0.001). However, the stenosis could be managed safely with endoscopic treatment. Patient survival in the colon and jejunum groups was consistent with that in the stomach group.

Conclusions

Pedicle jejunal reconstruction with intrathoracic anastomosis can be performed safely under thoracotomy or thoracoscopic surgery when stomach cannot be used as an esophageal substitute after esophagectomy.