Colon interposition after esophagectomy: a 15-year single-center experience

Area of Science:

• Gastroenterology
• Surgical Oncology
• Thoracic Surgery

Background:

• Colonic interposition is a key reconstructive technique when gastric pull-up is not feasible.
• This study evaluates outcomes of colonic interposition over 15 years in a tertiary care setting.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess perioperative outcomes of patients undergoing colonic interposition for esophageal replacement.
• To identify complications and mortality associated with this procedure.

Main Methods:

• A retrospective review of a prospectively maintained database identified 93 patients.
• Data included patient demographics, indications, surgical details, and perioperative outcomes.
• Descriptive statistical analyses were performed.

Main Results:

• Malignancy was the primary indication (82.8%).
• Major complications included anastomotic leakage (28%) and stenosis (30.1%).
• High rates of reoperation (38.7%), prolonged hospital stay (29 days), and in-hospital mortality (18.3%) were observed.

Conclusions:

• Colonic interposition is associated with substantial morbidity and mortality.
• It is particularly challenging in salvage and secondary reconstruction scenarios.
• The procedure should be performed in experienced, high-volume centers.