Iatrogenic gastric volvulus during transposition for esophageal atresia: diagnosis and treatment

A baby boy had had transhiatal gastric transposition for wide gap esophageal atresia in another hospital. Postoperatively, repeated vomiting, chest infection, and frequent attacks of dyspnea developed. After reexploration, the cause was not identified and he was referred to the authors' institution. The diagnosis of iatrogenic organoaxial volvulus with gastric outlet obstruction was made because barium meal studies and nuclear isotope scanning showed persistent obstruction of the gastric outlet but upper endoscopy showed no stenosis and a flexible scope could be passed easily into the duodenum. The diagnosis was confirmed by thoracotomy. After full mobilization of the stomach, the gastroesophageal anastomosis was divided and the thoracotomy was closed. The stomach was reduced into the abdomen via laparotomy, and it was tubularized and rerouted retrosternally for anastomosis to the cervical esophagus. Since the operation the patient has been asymptomatic.