[Delayed stenosis after esophageal reconstruction with colon interposition 35 years ago]

The long-term complication of an anastomotic stenosis with a poststenotic diverticulum in the case of lye chemical burn of the esophagus at the age of 2 prompted us to present this very rare case, in which 35 years ago the defect was bridged with a section of colon.

In case in point, secondary surgical correction was performed six years after the accident. Thirty-five years later, our patient developed a stenosis of the proximal esophagus which made surgical intervention necessary.

In this paper, we describe the problems caused by chemical burns in this case (lye), the surgical treatment, and possible complications.

Reliable procedures include reconstruction with a jejunal transplant, pectoralis major flap, microvascular myocutaneous flap, and retrosternal plastic surgery of the colon. A report on diagnostic procedure and operative care is presented.