Reconstruction of cervical esophagus with a segment of colon based on a long vascular pedicle: an experimental study...

The cervical esophagus can be reconstructed with a short segment of colon which, passed subcutaneously anterior to the sternum, is interposed between the pharynx and the upper thoracic esophagus. The segment is supported by a long vascular pedicle composed of the left colic and marginal vessels. The method is more acceptable cosmetically than subcutaneous colon interposition. It is less risky than substernal or mediastinal interposition and less difficult than colon autotransplantation. Its application in the monkey gave satisfactory results.