Back-up procedures following complicated gastric pull-up procedure for esophageal reconstruction: Salvage with intestinal flaps

Managing esophagocutaneous fistula after secondary gastric pull-up: A case report

BACKGROUND

Gastric pull-up (GPU) procedures may be complicated by leaks, fistulas, or stenoses. These complications are usually managed by endoscopy, but in extreme cases multidisciplinary management including reoperation may be necessary. Here, we report a combined endoscopic and surgical approach to manage a failed secondary GPU procedure.

CASE SUMMARY

A 70-year-old male with treatment-refractory cervical esophagocutaneous fistula with stenotic remnant esophagus after secondary GPU was transferred to our tertiary hospital. Local and systemic infection originating from the infected fistula was resolved by endoscopy. Hence, elective esophageal reconstruction with free-jejunal interposition was performed with no subsequent adverse events.

CONCLUSION

A multidisciplinary approach involving interventional endoscopists and surgeons successfully managed severe complications arising from a cervical esophago-cutaneous fistula after GPU. Endoscopic treatment may have lowered the perioperative risk to promote primary wound healing after free-jejunal graft interposition.

Treatment protocol for secondary esophageal reconstruction using 'supercharged' colon interposition flaps

Locoregional esophageal cancer is currently treated with induction chemoradiotherapy, followed by esophagectomy with reconstruction, using a gastric conduit. In cases of conduit failure, patients are temporized with a cervical esophagostomy and enteral nutrition until gastrointestinal continuity can be established. At our institution, we favor reconstruction, using a colon interposition with a 'supercharged' accessory vascular pedicle. Consequently, we sought to examine our technique and outcomes for esophageal reconstruction, using this approach. We performed a retrospective review of all patients who underwent esophagectomy at our center between 2008 and 2018. We identified those patients who had a failed gastric conduit and underwent secondary reconstruction. Patient demographics, perioperative details, and clinical outcomes were analyzed after our clinical care pathway was used to manage and prepare patients for a second major reconstructive surgery. Three hundred and eighty eight patients underwent esophagectomy and reconstruction with a gastric conduit. Seven patients (1.8%) suffered gastric conduit loss and underwent a secondary reconstruction using a colon interposition with a 'supercharged' vascular pedicle. Mean age was 70.1 (±7.3) years, and six patients were male. The transverse colon was used in four cases (57.1%), left colon in two cases (28.6%), and right colon in one case (14.3%). There were no deaths or loss of the colon interposition at follow-up. Three patients (42.9%) developed an anastomotic leak, which resolved with conservative management. All patients had resumption of oral intake within 30 days. Utilizing a 'supercharging' technique for colon interposition may improve the perfusion to the organ and may decrease morbidity. Secondary reconstruction should occur when the patient's oncologic, physiologic, and psychosocial condition is optimized. Our outcomes and preoperative strategies may provide guidance for those centers treating this complicated patient population.

[Quality of life after reconstructive procedures for esophageal strictures]

OBJECTIVE

To study the long-term results of reconstructive procedures for esophageal strictures and evaluate quality life after each type of esophageal repair using own criteria.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The study was conducted among patients who underwent esophageal repair with gastric transplant (172), colonic transplant (25), intestinal transplant (14) and repair of short cervical strictures (7). The age of patients ranged from 5 to 60 years. All patients underwent X-ray and endoscopic examination. Survey also included external respiration function and cardiac function, digestive function, measurement of height and weight, analysis of social aspects (work, study), female genital function. Five-score scale for quality of life assessment was developed.

RESULTS

Long-term results were studied in 218 patients for the period from 3 months to 31 years (2002-2017). Excellent and good results were obtained in 180 patients. The best results were obtained after repair of short cervical strictures (4.42 scores), good results - after esophageal repair with gastric (4.14 scores) and intestinal (4.07 scores) transplants. Colonic repair was followed by satisfactory outcome (3.16 scores).

CONCLUSION

Gastric and small bowel grafts are preferred for total esophageal repair due to better quality of life in long-term postoperative period.

Modified distal anastomosis between colon and thoracic esophagus for hypopharynx reconstruction using free colon flap: A comparison study

BACKGROUND

Free colon flap is the preferred method of hypopharynx reconstruction when the defect is substantial, or simultaneous voice reconstruction is planned. Most of the complications in free colon flaps are located at the anastomosis between colon and thoracic esophagus due to size mismatch of the lumen. We present our experience comparing a modified anastomosis technique and a conventional anastomosis technique at the distal end of interposed colonic segment.

METHODS

In this retrospective review, 94 patients, divided into two groups, underwent hypopharynx reconstruction. Group A (18 patients), conventional anastomoses between colon and thoracic esophagus was performed, while in Group B (76 patients), underwent the modified method of anastomosis.

RESULTS

The average follow-up period was 46 months in group A and 54 months in group B. Fistula formation was found in 2 patients from Group A, and 1 patient from Group B. Strictures were observed in 4 patients from Group A, and 1 patient from Group B. Difference between both groups regarding complications of leakage and stricture formation was statistically significant (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Modified method for anastomosis between colon and thoracic esophagus was found to be effective in the reduction of complications associated with the use of a free colon flap for hypopharyngeal reconstruction. Further advances of this technique could gain momentum in the future.

Predictive Value of Anastomotic Blood Supply for Anastomotic Stricture After Esophagectomy in Esophageal Cancer

BACKGROUND

Insufficient blood supply in the gastric tube is considered as a risk factor for postoperative anastomotic strictures in patients receiving esophagectomy, but the direct evidence is lacking.

AIMS

We aimed to investigate the correlation between perioperative blood supply in the anastomotic area of the gastric tube and the formation of anastomotic strictures in the patients undergoing esophagectomy.

METHODS

This prospective study included 60 patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma undergoing Ivor Lewis esophagectomy between March 2014 and February 2016, which were divided into stricture group (n = 13) and non-stricture group (n = 47) based on their severity of anastomotic strictures at 3 months post-operation. The perioperative anastomotic blood supply was measured using a laser Doppler flowmetry. The gastric intramucosal pH (pHi) was measured by a gastric tonometer within 72 h post-operation. The perfusion index and gastric pHi were compared between groups.

RESULTS

The stricture group had a significantly lower blood flow index (P < 0.001) and gastric pHi values from day 1 to day 3 post-operation than the non-stricture group (all P < 0.001). In addition, Pearson correlation analysis showed that both the perfusion index and gastric pHi were significantly correlated with stricture size and stricture scores, respectively (r = 0.65 - 0.32, all P < 0.05). Furthermore, the multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that perfusion index was an influential factor associated with postoperative anastomotic strictures (OR 0.84. 95% CI 0.72-0.98, P = 0.026).

CONCLUSION

These results suggested that poor blood supply in the anastomotic area of the gastric tube in the perioperative period was a risk factor for postoperative anastomotic strictures.

Successful management of the supraclavicular artery island flap combined with a sternohyoid muscle flap for hypopharyngeal and laryngeal reconstruction

This retrospective study evaluated operative outcomes when using a supraclavicular artery island flap (SAIF) combined with a sternohyoid muscle flap (SHMF) to reconstruct defects after hypopharyngeal carcinoma resection. Reconstructive surgery for hypopharyngeal and laryngeal defects was performed with the SAIF + SHME combination in 6 patients during 2016 to 2018. Within 14 to 16 days after the surgery, all 6 patients could ingest food and block the tube (avoiding aspiration), with no pharyngeal fistulas. They then underwent irradiation up to a total of 60.5 Gy during the 4 weeks postoperatively. All 6 flaps survived, and there were no donor-site complications except minor dehiscence in 1 patient. Thus, the SAIF + SHMF combination can be used to reconstruct hypopharyngeal and laryngeal defects after hemi-laryngectomy in patients with hypopharyngeal carcinoma involving the unilateral larynx. This technique effectively preserved the swallowing function and phonation of the patients, thereby improving their quality of life.

Single-Port Inflatable Mediastinoscopy Combined With Laparoscopic-Assisted Small Incision Surgery for Radical Esophagectomy Is an Effective and Safe Treatment for Esophageal Cancer

BACKGROUND

We previously developed a novel non-trans thoracic esophagectomy, the single-port inflatable mediastinoscopy combined with laparoscopy for the radical esophagectomy of esophageal cancer. The purpose of this study was to report its therapeutic efficacy and safety.

METHODS

From May 2016 to August 2017, we have completed 80 cases of radical resection of esophageal carcinoma using this novel surgical technique. The intraoperative findings and postoperative complications were reported.

RESULTS

The operation was successfully performed in all patients except for one patient switched from laparoscopic-assisted operation to open surgery. The mean operation duration was 191.4 ± 27 min, and the mean intraoperative blood loss was 147.3 ± 28.9 mL. The mean number of removed lymph node was 21.9 ± 4.1. Five patients (6.4%) who had preoperative type I respiratory failure needed to stay in the intensive care unit for 24 h postoperatively. Postoperative complications included anastomotic leakage (8.9%), anastomotic stricture (21.25%), pleural effusion (9%), and hoarseness postoperative hoarseness (18.8%). The incidence of hoarseness at 3 months postoperation was reduced to 3.8%. All the complications were Clavien-Dindo grades I-III. There were no perioperative death and postoperative cardiopulmonary complications.

CONCLUSION

These results showed that the single-port inflatable mediastinoscopy combined with laparoscopy is feasible for radical esophagectomy and possesses good therapeutic efficacy and safety.

Salvage Treatment of Failed Free Jejunal Flap Transfer: Our Experiences and Literature Review

Background

Although there have been many reports on the success of free jejunal flap transfer for pharyngoesophageal reconstruction, reports on salvage procedures for failed transfers remain sparse. In this report, we retrospectively reviewed our salvage procedures for failed jejunal transfers and previous articles describing salvage treatment in failed jejunal flap cases.

Methods

This report includes 6 cases of failed jejunal flap transfer, leading to necessary salvage surgery. We reviewed all cases to examine salvage procedures and early postoperative complications such as fistula formation. We also assessed postoperative late complications and swallowing function during long-term follow-up. A review of the literature was performed via PubMed.

Results

Rejejunal transfer was performed successfully in 3 of 6 cases. Gastric pull-up reconstruction was adopted in 2 cases. In 1 case, an external stoma was created because of the patient's poor medical condition. All 3 cases of rejejunal transfer and 1 gastric pull-up case recovered to resuming a normal diet. However, 1 gastric pull-up case required supplemental feeding with a jejunostomy tube. We reviewed 6 articles describing salvage treatment in failed jejunal flap cases.

Conclusion

When free jejunal transfer fails, rejejunal transfer is optimal. However, in cases that lack suitable recipient vessels or have infection, a second jejunal transfer should not be considered. In such cases, gastric pull-up or colon interposition may be an alternative because they do not require vascular anastomosis. Pedicled pectoralis major flap is also an alternative, although the risk of salivary fistulas is very high.

Venous superdrained gastric tube pull-up procedure for hypopharyngeal and cervical esophageal reconstruction reduces postoperative anastomotic leakage and stricture

Gastric pull-up is a common procedure to reconstruct the continuity of the upper digestive tract after esophageal resection. However, this technique sometimes causes postoperative anastomotic leakage or stricture, resulting from insufficient blood flow at the distal end. To overcome this problem, additional microvascular venous anastomoses were performed. The purpose of this study was to compare the outcomes of post-surgical anastomotic leakage and stricture in patients with and without additional microvascular venous superdrainage after cervical esophageal and hypopharyngeal resection and gastric tube reconstruction. A total of 29 consecutive patients with esophageal or hypopharyngeal cancer who underwent total esophagectomy and hypopharyngectomy with gastric tube reconstruction in the National Organization Nagasaki Medical Center between April 2014 and May 2016 were analyzed in this study. Of these patients, 20 underwent additional venous anastomoses (superdrainage group), and 9 did not undergo additional procedures (standard group). We compared the frequency of post-surgical stricture and leakage in the two groups retrospectively. Three of nine patients (33.3%) developed postoperative leakage in the standard group, and 1 of 20 (5.0%) did so in the superdrainage group. Six of nine patients (66.7%) showed postoperative anastomotic stricture in the standard group, but none did so in the superdrainage group. Patients who did not undergo additional venous superdrainage were significantly more likely to develop postsurgical leakage (P < 0.05, Chi-square test) and anastomotic stricture (P < 0.001, Chi-square test). Our study revealed that only additional venous anastomoses could reduce the incidence of postoperative anastomotic leakage and stricture. This procedure is of merit to perform after total esophagectomy and hypopharyngectomy with gastric tube reconstruction.