Colon patch esophagoplasty for caustic esophageal stricture

Severe caustic injury with stricture may require esophageal reconstruction. The available methods of esophageal substitution do not satisfactorily replace the peristaltic and antireflux properties of the native esophagus. The authors report the results of two children treated with colon patch esophagoplasty and preservation of the injured esophagus. Both were 2 years of age when they accidently swallowed lye. Long esophageal strictures developed, which were resistant to repeated dilatation. Eleven and 13 months after the injury, the patients underwent colon patch esophagoplasty. A segment of the left colon was tailored to the length and shape of the opened stricture and was anastomosed side-to-side to the esophagotomy. One child later had a short recurrent stricture and diverticulum, which required revision of the distal end of the anastomosis. Follow-up endoscopic examination has shown healing of the esophagus and resolution of the strictures; both children are eating normally 3 years after surgery, without symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux. Colon patch esophagoplasty is an alternative to esophageal replacement for long caustic esophageal strictures. Its advantage is preservation of the peristaltic and antireflux mechanisms of the conserved esophagus.