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Tissue-Engineered Graft for Circumferential Esophageal Reconstruction in Rats
Published on: February 10, 2020
Novel Musculocutaneous Flap for Salvage Esophageal Reconstruction
Talia G Meidan1, Mohamad K Abou Chaar2, Frank Corl2
1Texas A&M College of Medicine, Bryan, Texas.
Abstract:
We present a novel surgical approach for salvage reconstruction of the esophagus in a heavily irradiated field. A tracheoesophageal fistula developed in our patient after laryngectomy and tracheoesophageal puncture for laryngeal cancer. After multiple repairs failed and life-threatening complications, we developed an innovative musculocutaneous flap with extended blood supply from the axillary vessels through a matured saphenous vein loop graft. We term this the "Bring Your Own Blood (BYOB) supply" flap. This case demonstrates the viability of this approach as a last-resort option for esophageal reconstruction in heavily irradiated tissue and highlights important anatomical considerations for patients with vascular anomalies.
