Antethoracic jejunal esophagoplasty. An alternate method of repair

Antethoracic jejunal esophageal reconstruction is an effective alternative method of repair and should be considered when difficulty is expected with the standard approaches. The primary difficulty with this mode of repair is related to the vascular supply of the jejunum. However, with careful evaluation and management of the pedicle, ischemia of the graft may be avoided. If vascularity appears less than optimal, the proximal anastomoses should be delayed and the graft placed in the subfascial tunnel. If the cervical jejunal portion becomes necrotic, this space may be bridged later with an isoperistaltically positioned free graft utilizing microvascular techniques.