[Retrosternal esophagoplasties by gastric upturn. Functional value]

The functional results in 13 cases of retrosternal oesophagoplasty by gastric upturn were compared with those obtained in 20 retrosternal oesophagoplasties by interposed colon and with published data concerning intrathoracic isoperistaltic reconstructions. Nine patients were examined by radiocinematography and 6 by radioisotope scanning to evaluate the speed of passage through the neo-oesophagus and the quality of gastric emptying. It appeared that gastric emptying took place within normal delays. Signs of reflux were observed in 9 of the 13 patients, but the problem did not seem to be worse than with isoperistaltic reconstructions.