Colon interposition for esophagus in children

In 25 years, from 1959 to 1984, esophageal substitution was performed in 32 patients. In most, the transverse colon was used, brought through the left chest on a vascular pedicle of the left colic artery. Indications for operation included: 21, esophageal atresia; 5, caustic injury; 3, peptic stricture; 2, esophageal varices with previous splenectomy; and 1, cartilagenous hamartoma of the esophagus. Six patients had failed prior reconstructions (1, gastric tube; 2, intrathoracic stomach; 1, presternal jejunum; 1, sloughed colon segment, 1, extensive stricture after primary repair). There was one postoperative death from fluid overload early in the series. Two patients had a localized leak at the upper anastomosis in the neck; neither resulted in stricture. One patient had a side leak in the lower intrathoracic colon, probably from an anchoring suture placed too deeply. Most patients had pyloroplasty with their operation. Four who did not required one later. Four patients required late reoperation for redundancy of the lower colon segment which emptied poorly; one lower colon was revised for stricture from exstrinsic compression at the substernal hiatus and another one for an inflammatory pseudopolyp with bleeding. There was no loss of a colon segment from ischemia. There is follow-up on all but one patient. Nineteen are more than ten years postoperative (mean of 18 years). Growth was assessed in that group. In atresia patients growth correlated with weight preoperatively and the presence or absence of associated anomalies. In the others growth was excellent in all but one patient. In our experience the colon conduit provides an excellent substitute esophagus for pediatric patients. The operation should have relatively low rate of major complications, most of which are avoidable, and most of which can be corrected to give a satisfactory long-term result.