A retrospective study of 66 esophageal reconstructions using microvascular anastomoses: problems and our methods for...

We have studied 66 patients who underwent esophageal reconstruction using microvascular anastomoses. This series comprises 28 patients with reconstruction using a free jejunal interposition between the pharynx and the cervical esophagus following pharyngolaryngoesophagectomy for hypopharyngeal carcinoma and 38 atypical patients in whom other methods of reconstruction were used. Successful transfer was achieved in 98.5 percent (65 of 66). Issues concerning atypical reconstruction and our procedures in these cases are discussed. In order to obtain adequate tension in the jejunum on the anal side, in particular, since the anastomosis is located in a deep or narrow space, autosuture instruments were used. The anastomotic leakage rate was 2.8 percent (1 of 36); the stenosis rate was 2.8 percent (1 of 36). To prevent necrosis in the trachea, a greater omentum flap was used in three patients, a mesenterium flap in two, and a pectoralis major musculocutaneous flap in one. There were no significant complications. In patients with a short gastric pedicle or in those in whom a double cancer occurred in the hypopharynx and thoracic esophagus, a gastric pedicle and a free jejunum flap were used together. As a result of this method, the incidence of any reflux of digestive juice was reduced to 0 percent (0 of 6). To reduce the possibility of an ischemic complication at the oral end of the colonic pedicle, we added a microvascular anastomosis of the colonic pedicle, thereby reducing both leakage [0 percent (0 of 9)] and necrosis [0 percent (0 of 9)]. These procedures involving microvascular anastomoses have reduced the incidence of complications in esophageal reconstructions.