Avoiding stenosis in the tubed greater pectoral flap in pharyngeal repair

Replacement of circumferential defects of the pharynx with skin-lined flaps rolled into a tube had the problem of anastomotic stricture formation. To prevent and correct stenosis at the mucocutaneous junction, an interdigitating anastomotic line produced by making vertical slits on the skin edge and the esophageal stump edge is used. It allows for maintenance of the lumen despite suture line contraction.