[Premalignant and malignant changes in the epithelium in an antethoracic skin tube after esophagus replacement surgery]

Seven clinical cases are described of plastic repair of the stenosed oesophagus by means of a skin tube in which premalignant changes have developed after the lapse of several decades. The authors assume that these changes have been caused by chronic inflammation due to chemical irritation of the skin tube by stagnant food, saliva, and the gastro-"neo-oesophageal" reflux. On the basis of data from the literature and personal experience, the authors suggest that use of a skin tube in the repair of the oesophagus should be reserved for the small group of patients with oesophageal malignancy not amenable to other methods of reconstruction.