Esophagus reconstruction with free jejunal transfer

Following pharyngolaryngectomy, reconstruction is one of the most challenging surgical procedures. Here we review our own experiences using a microvascularly transferred free jejunal graft. This method was performed in 22 patients (19 male and 3 female, aged 40-63 years). Seven patients underwent neoadjuvant chemo-radiotherapy. Eighteen patients had immediate reconstruction after pharyngolaryngectomy, and 4 patients had delayed reconstruction because of complications from previous surgeries (2 stenoses, and 2 recurrent cancers). The duration of surgery ranged from 5-9 h (mean, 6.3 h), and the ischemic time of the graft was 70-125 min (mean, 88 min). This method has several advantages: it is a one-step operation; the graft is covered by self-cleaning mucosa; the development of fistulas and stenoses is rare; and the technique provides good swallowing. Owing to its good blood supply, this reconstructive method can also be used in previously irradiated areas.     

Dysphagia [corrected] due to solitary jejunal diverticulum after free jejunal transfer for reconstruction of 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.     

Experimental reconstruction of cutaneous defects with microvascular jejunal transplants

In a rat model, island and free flap transfers of jejunal segments were performed to provide a vascularised base in surgically created wounds. These thin, pliable flaps were subsequently stripped of mucosa and skin-grafted to provide a durable cutaneous cover. Histological evaluation of the flaps was performed. Advantages and disadvantages of the procedure are discussed.     

Periodic alterations of jejunal mucosa morphology following free microvascular transfer for pharyngoesophageal reconstruction.

BACKGROUND: Free jejunal flap reconstruction is the treatment of choice for patients after pharyngoesophagectomy. It remains unclear as to how the transplanted jejunal mucosal damage proceeds after the warm ischaemia. The current study aims to assess the relationship between the duration of ischaemia and the damage of jejunal mucosa. PATIENTS AND METHODS: From May 2002 to February 2003, 15 free jejunal flaps in 15 patients were transplanted to the cervical area for the reconstruction after pharyngoesophagectomy. Biopsy specimens were taken from the monitor loop at the time of pedicle ligation, 10 min after reperfusion, every day for 10 days, 14th day, 28th day, and 40th day after operation. Mucosal injury was assessed based on an accepted three-point scale which evaluates oedema, inflammation, mucosal necrosis or exfoliation, shortening of villi, and increase of goblet cells. FINDINGS: All 15 jejunal flaps survived. The mean ischaemia time was 68.7+/-5.2 min (range: 37-116). Serious injury to the mucosa was observed at 10 min after reperfusion, and gradually recovered until the 8th day, when it became normal in all flaps. The degree of damage was not found to be correlated with the length of ischaemia (less than 116 min). Severe ischaemia/reperfusion-induced mucosal damage occurs immediately following reperfusion and gradually recovers with time. The severity of the damage is not related linearly to the ischaemia time within 2h. The mucosa recovers gradually from the 8th day and returns to normal at the 28th day.     

Functional results following pharyngolaryngooesophagectomy with free jejunal graft reconstruction.

OBJECTIVE: A free jejunal graft is used for reconstruction following pharyngolaryngooesophagectomy, due to the relative ease of harvesting, low donor site morbidity and a lumen diameter compatible with that of the oesophagus. Our aim is to evaluate the postoperative outcome and functional results of the procedure. METHODS: Retrospective analysis of 20 consecutive patients, with a mean age of 62.5 years (range 48--76), who underwent free jejunal reconstruction following pharyngolaryngooesophagectomy for laryngeal malignancy. Surgery was performed secondary to radiotherapy or as the main stem of treatment. The functional results were assessed at 6 months and 1 year and correlated with postoperative morbidity. Chi-square test was used for statistical significance and Kaplan--Meyer to estimate survival. RESULTS: There were six transient leaks and six cases with anastomotic stricture. There was no morbidity associated with the donor site and the perioperative mortality (30 days) was zero. At 6 months, 13 (87%) out of the 15 patients alive had satisfactory speech and 11 (78%) had satisfactory swallowing. At 1 year, 11 patients were alive and maintained a satisfactory speech, while nine (81%) of them were eating well. The incidence of leaks, strictures, or the moment of radiotherapy has no influence on the functional outcome. The 1- and 3-year survival rates were 52.3 and 33.2%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: A free jejunal graft reconstruction is technically demanding, but provides a near-physiologic swallowing mechanism, avoiding the complications of a gastric pull-up procedure. Functional results are good and justify the procedure despite the relatively high co-morbidity.     

Experimental reconstruction of the trachea with free jejunal graft

To evaluate experimentally the usefulness of the jejunum in the correction of extensive tracheal defect, circumferential tracheal defect was surgically created in 31 mongrel dogs and primarily reconstructed with microsurgical free tissue transfer of autogenous jejunal segment. A silicone T tube was inserted to maintain the lumen of the grafted jejunal segment. First, defect of 7 cervical tracheal rings was repaired with untreated 5 cm free jejunal segment in 12 dogs (group 1). Next, a pilot experiment to examine the quantity of intestinal juices from jejunal segments revealed that abrasion and cauterization of the mucosal surface decreased the secretion of intestinal juices, so defect of 7 cervical tracheal rings was repaired with 5 cm free jejunal segment the surface of whose mucosa was abraded and cauterized in 11 dogs (group 2). In all the dogs except two, primary healing was accomplished without air leakage or infection, and gross pathological examination of the trachea and graft revealed no evidence of disruption, infection or granulation. In group 1, 6 of the 12 dogs died of pneumonia or air way obstruction caused by intestinal juices from free jejunal segment within 20 days after the operation. On the other hand, only one of the 11 dogs died of pneumonia at 9 days in group 2. One of the dogs died of air way obstruction caused by mucus at 3 months. Three dogs died of filariasis at 4 weeks, 3 and 7 months, and 5 dogs were sacrificed at 2, 4, 8 weeks and 3 months. Microscopic examination of the graft demonstrated thin jejunal mucosa. The anastomosis was already covered with epithelium by the end of 2 weeks.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Microvascular reconstruction of the pharyngoesophagus with free jejunal graft

Free jejunal graft reconstruction of the pharyngoesophagus has become reliable one-stage technique, but the microsurgeon must be aware of numerous pitfalls. Forty-two patients were retrospectively reviewed. There were four graft failures for a success rate of 90.5%. When harvesting the graft the thick fatty mesentery may make dissection difficult, and injuries to the mesenteric artery and vein can occur. Neck preparation can be tedious because of previous radiation, and size discrepancies with the carotid branches and the mesenteric artery are seen. Intimal dissection of the mesenteric artery can present as an isolated flap or a circumferential "rosette," despite the most careful preparation of the vessels; and great care must be taken in the microvascular anastomosis. The end-to-end arterial anastomosis to a branch of the external carotid and an end-to-side venous anastomosis to the internal jugular were preferred. Vein grafts are occasionally necessary.     

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.     

Proctocolectomy with jejunal pouch-distal rectal anastomosis: An alternative to ileal pouch reconstruction

The aim of this study was to determine whether a jejunal pouch would have a lower resting pressure, be more distensible, and have more interdigestive migrating myoelectric complexes and less fecal bacterial overgrowth than would an ileal pouch after proctocolectomy and pouch-distal rectal anastomosis. In six conscious dogs with a jejunal pouch-distal rectal anastomosis and six with an ileal pouch-distal rectal anastomosis (controls), pouch distensibility and motility were measured using a barostat and perfused pressure-sensitive catheters passed per anum, pouch electrical activity was recorded using chronically implanted electrodes, and the number of bacteria per gram of stool was assessed by culture. Dogs with a jejunal pouch had lower resting pouch pressures, more distensible pouches, faster frequencies of pacesetter potentials in the pouch, more phase 3 intervals of the interdigesive migrating myoelectric complex reaching the pouch, but similar numbers and types of bacteria in their stools compared to the dogs with an ileal pouch. We concluded that jejunal pouches have a lower resting pressure, are more distensible, have more cleansing contractions, but a similar fecal flora compared to ileal pouches. A jejunal pouch has features that make it an attractive alternative to an ileal pouch for pouch-distal rectal or pouch-anal canal anastomosis after proctocolectomy. Supported by the Mayo Foundation, Tohoku University, and the Nigro grant. Presented at the Thirty-Eighth Annual Meeting of The Society for Surgery of the Alimentary Tract, Washington, D.C., May 11–14, 1997. An abstract of this work was published in Gastroenterology 112:A1478, 1997.     

Free jejunal transfer for reconstruction of the laryngopharynx

Reconstruction of the laryngopharynx and cervical esophagus presents difficult problems. We embarked on a program using free jejunal transfer for such reconstruction. Thirty-two patients have been evaluated, with a mean follow-up of 16.7 months. Thirty-four transfers were undertaken--14 as primary repair and 20 after the failure of alternate methods. Twenty-six patients were able to achieve oral feeding. There was one immediate and one delayed failure of the graft. Twelve fistulas developed, seven of which healed spontaneously in less than 2 weeks. Four patients experienced complications related to the microvascular anastomosis which required repair. Six patients had significant dysphagia; four of these had side-to-end distal anastomosis. This technique had been abandoned and improvement resulted. We conclude that free jejunal transfer is an expeditious, safe, and reliable method of reconstruction for patients who require total laryngopharyngectomy.     

Emergency free tissue transfer for reconstruction of acute upper extremity wounds

The accepted method of treatment for acute, contaminated, upper extremity wounds is serial débridement and delayed closure. Emergency free tissue transfer challenges these concepts by advocating radical débridement and early closure of these wounds. The use of emergency free tissue transfer in the upper extremity allows early motion and possibly lowers the rates of infection, nonunion, flap failure, and the length of hospital stay. The decision to carry out emergency free tissue transfer is made after evaluating the patient's systemic condition and the following factors: (1) extent of débridement, (2) bacterial load, (3) fracture type, (4) anatomical location of the wound, and (5) presence of exposed vital structures. When conditions are ideal, emergency free tissue transfer may be the best choice for closure of acute, contaminated, upper extremity wounds.     

横向游离腹直肌肌皮瓣与胸廓内动脉吻合的乳房再造术

为了应用吻合血管的双蒂下腹直肌游离肌皮瓣移植法再造乳房，采用胸廓内动脉近、远心端为受区血管再造乳房，共行６例，其中一例以对侧胸廓内动脉为受区血管，术后皮瓣成活良好。随访１０～４０个月，无脂肪液化，腹部薄弱等并发症发生。     

横向游离腹直肌肌皮瓣与胸廓内动脉吻合的乳房再造术

为了应用吻合血管的双蒂下腹直肌游离肌皮瓣移植法再造乳房,采用胸廓内动脉近、远心端为受区血管再造乳房,共行6例,其中一例以对侧胸廓内动脉为受区血管,术后皮瓣成活良好。随访10～40个月,无脂肪液化,腹部薄弱等并发症发生。     

Double lumen free jejunal transfer for reconstruction of the entire floor of mouth, pharynx and cervical oesophagus

In those patients requiring proximal extension of a laryngopharyngectomy to include resection of the base of the tongue, there is a considerable mismatch between the circumference of the superior pharyngeal defect and a conventional jejunal conduit. An inverted J-shaped jejunal funnel can be prefabricated to enlarge the proximal stoma of a free jejunal transfer to overcome this size discrepancy and so prevent the high incidence of postoperative fistulae at the proximal anastomosis. In the most extreme case it will allow reconstruction of the entire floor of the mouth, pharynx and cervical oesophagus.     

Postoperative function of "free" jejunal transplants for replacement of the cervical esophagus

The postoperative function of "free" jejunal autotransplants for replacement of the pharyngoesophagus after palliative resection was evaluated in nine patients using clinical assessment, cinefluoroscopy, manometry, and electrical studies. After an initial period of adjustment, all patients swallowed solids and liquids with minimal difficulty, gained weight appropriately and were satisfied with their operations. Cinefluoroscopy and esophageal manometry demonstrated normal function of the intact distal esophagus, which correlated with the absence of reflux symptoms. The grafts were capable of contraction in response to local distension and maintained an intrinsic myoelectrical activity. These results indicate that jejunal autotransplantation may provide excellent palliation with restoration of a near normal swallowing mechanism for patients with large resectable lesions of the pharyngoesophagus. An additional observation was that the instillation of food directly into the gastric antrum caused a change in the motor activity in the transplantd jejunum, indicating physiological hormonal control of intestinal motility.     

Ensuring the viability of gastric transplants used in esophagoplasty using hemomotordynamic monitoring

A new method of hemomotordynamic monitoring of an isoperistaltic gastric graft in esophagoplasty was evaluated in the clinic in 27 patients. The method was found to be adequate in determining and ensuring viability of the grafts. The presence of an intramural pulse in all parts of the graft is the criterion of its viability. Monitoring allows early diagnosis and timely surgical and drug correction of reparable ischemic disorders. The change of the surgical tactics during the operation consists in abandoning one-stage formation of the anastomosis and placing the graft in a subcutaneous bed.     

Finger pulp reconstruction with free flaps from the upper extremity

Although never exceeding a few square centimeters, finger pulp defects are reconstructive challenges due to their special requirements and lack of neighboring tissue reserve. Local flaps are the common choice in the management of this injury. However, the development of microsurgery and clinical practice have greatly boosted the application of different free flaps for finger pulp reconstruction with excellent results, especially when local flaps are unsuitable or impossible for the coverage of large pulp defects. These flaps are all located in the same operation field and can be performed under one tourniquet; therefore, they are more convenient with better patients' compliance in clinical setting. Nonetheless, there is still no consensus about which type of these flaps should be preferred among various finger pulp reconstructive options. In this article, we attempt to review articles describing finger pulp reconstruction using free flaps from the upper extremity from the literature. We summarize the clinical applications of these free flaps and detail their advantages and drawbacks, respectively. The algorithm of flap selection for finger pulp reconstruction based on our experience and literature review is also discussed.     

Laparoscopic harvest of the jejunal free flap for cervical esophageal reconstruction

The jejunal free flap is a standard technique in the reconstruction of hypopharyngeal and cervical esophageal defects. Conventional harvesting of the jejunal segment is performed with midline open laparotomy, which is associated with complications including prolonged ileus, abdominal pain, wound infection or dehiscence. Laparoscopic resection of the small intestine is a well documented surgical technique. Two different methods of laparoscopic harvest of a jejunal autografts for their cervical implantation have been already described. In both cases, low complication rate and better postoperative course have been observed in the patients treated. During the last 10 years, we have performed 43 circumferential pharyngoesophageal resection for advanced hypo-pharyngeal cancer followed by reconstruction with a free flap of jejunum. All but one the jejunal segments have been harvested with conventional open laparotomy. In the last patient of this group, laparoscopic harvest of the jejunal segment has been successfully performed. In this paper, we describe the laparoscopic technique used and we compare the postoperative course of this patient with those of the patients treated with conventional technique.