Intrathoracic revascularization of the stomach in gastroplastic reconstruction of the esophagus

Reconstruction of the thoracic esophagus after esophagectomy is usually achieved using the stomach which, after gastrolysis through an abdominal approach, is pulled into the right thoracic cavity and anastomosed to the esophagus. After gastrolysis by conventional methods, the blood supply of the stomach exclusively depends on the right gastric and epiploic arteries. In some cases, these arteries cannot ensure sufficient blood supply to the fundus of the stomach, which is at higher risks from a vascular point of view, since it depends on the intraparietal capillary anastomoses between the gastric branches on the left inferior gastric artery, the intraparietal rami of the short gastric arteries, which have been cut, and the parietal rami of the anterior cardiotuberous artery. When macroscopic signs of ischemic disorders of this area are observed intraoperatively, resection of the fundus of the stomach would considerably reduce the length of the organ that could be used for gastric esophagoplasty. To avoid this, we have been implementing an intrathoracic revascularization technique consisting in anastomosing the left gastric artery, either directly with the right internal mammary artery, or through a shunt with the saphenous vein between the subclavian artery and the left gastric artery itself. Finally, the intensification of the venous circle is performed by anastomosing the left gastric vein and the azygos vein. Details of the surgical technique, as well as the results obtained, are illustrated.