Salvage Treatment of Failed Free Jejunal Flap Transfer: Our Experiences and Literature Review

Although there have been many reports on the success of free jejunal flap transfer for pharyngoesophageal reconstruction, reports on salvage procedures for failed transfers remain sparse. In this report, we retrospectively reviewed our salvage procedures for failed jejunal transfers and previous articles describing salvage treatment in failed jejunal flap cases.

This report includes 6 cases of failed jejunal flap transfer, leading to necessary salvage surgery. We reviewed all cases to examine salvage procedures and early postoperative complications such as fistula formation. We also assessed postoperative late complications and swallowing function during long-term follow-up. A review of the literature was performed via PubMed.

Rejejunal transfer was performed successfully in 3 of 6 cases. Gastric pull-up reconstruction was adopted in 2 cases. In 1 case, an external stoma was created because of the patient's poor medical condition. All 3 cases of rejejunal transfer and 1 gastric pull-up case recovered to resuming a normal diet. However, 1 gastric pull-up case required supplemental feeding with a jejunostomy tube. We reviewed 6 articles describing salvage treatment in failed jejunal flap cases.

When free jejunal transfer fails, rejejunal transfer is optimal. However, in cases that lack suitable recipient vessels or have infection, a second jejunal transfer should not be considered. In such cases, gastric pull-up or colon interposition may be an alternative because they do not require vascular anastomosis. Pedicled pectoralis major flap is also an alternative, although the risk of salivary fistulas is very high.