Monitoring of revascularized jejunal autografts

Free jejunal autografts have been widely used to reconstruct circumferential pharyngeal defects in a single stage. Close postoperative monitoring of the perfusion of the free jejunal autograft is extremely important in achieving a successful outcome. Presented herein is our method of postoperative monitoring of jejunal autografts in which a segment of jejunum pedicled on its connecting mesentery is exteriorized. This method of monitoring was performed in 17 cases, and there were no cases of late graft failure. Of three patients who had undergone this operation before the use of this monitoring technique, one had an unrecognized late graft failure. We present our experience with this simple and reliable method to monitor free jejunal autografts.