[Colonic interposition for esophageal replacement after caustic ingestion]

Retrosternal coloplasty is the gold standard for esophageal reconstruction after caustic injury of the digestive tract. Complete preoperative otolaryngology evaluation and the control of the psychiatric disease are key factors for success. In the absence of controlled studies, the choice between the right and the left colon graft relies on the anatomy of the blood supply to the colon and on the individual surgeon's preference. Treatment of associated pharyngeal and laryngeal injuries is mandatory at the time of esophageal reconstruction. In experienced hands mortality rates are less than 5% but specific postoperative complications (graft necrosis, leakage, anastomotic stricture) are high. The low risk of cancer development in the by-passed esophagus does not justify routine esophagectomy at the time of reconstruction. Sixty to eighty percent of patients would finally retrieve nutritional autonomy after coloplasty for caustic injury. Late acquired dysfunctions of the coloplasty (anastomotic strictures, graft redundancy) requiring revision surgery occur frequently and might jeopardize an already fragile functional result. Timely diagnosis and treatment of such complications and the necessity of continuous psychological surveillance justify the need for long term follow up in these patients.