The use of the pectoralis myocutaneous flap for repair of a retrosternal esophagocolonic anastomotic leak

Repair using the pectoralis major musculocutaneous flap for refractory anastomotic leakage after total esophagectomy

BACKGROUND

The pectoralis major musculocutaneous flap (PMMF) is a pedicled flap often used as a reconstruction option in head and neck surgery, especially in cases with poor wound healing. However, applying PMMF after esophageal surgery is uncommon. We report here, the case of a successfully repaired refractory anastomotic fistula (RF) after total esophagectomy, by PMMF.

CASE PRESENTATION

A 73-year-old man had a history of hypopharyngolaryngectomy, cervical esophagectomy, and reconstruction using a free jejunal graft for hypopharyngeal carcinosarcoma at the age of 54. He also received conservative treatment for pharyngo-jejunal anastomotic leakage (AL), then postoperative radiation therapy. This time, he was diagnosed with carcinosarcoma in the upper thoracic esophagus; cT3rN0M0, cStageII, according to the Japanese Classification of Esophageal Cancer 12th Edition. As a salvage surgery, thoracoscopic total resection of the esophageal remnant and reconstruction using gastric tube via posterior mediastinal route was performed. The distal side of the jejunal graft was cut and re-anastomosed with the top of the gastric tube. An AL was observed on the 6th postoperative day (POD), and after 2 months of conservative treatment was then diagnosed as RF. The 3/4 circumference of the anterior wall of the gastric tube was ruptured for 6 cm in length, and surgical repair using PMMF was performed on POD71. The edge of the defect was exposed and the PMMF (10 × 5 cm) fed by thoracoacromial vessels was prepared. Then, the skin of the flap and the wedge of the leakage were hand sutured via double layers with the skin of the flap facing the intestinal lumen. Although a minor AL was observed on POD19, it healed with conservative treatment. No complications, such as stenosis, reflux, re-leakage, were observed over 3 years of postoperative follow-up.

CONCLUSIONS

The PMMF is a useful option for repairing intractable AL after esophagectomy, especially in cases with large defect, as well as difficulties for microvascular anastomosis due to previous operation, radiation, or wound inflammation.

Management of refractory cervical anastomotic fistula after esophagectomy using the pectoralis major myocutaneous flap

INTRODUCTION

A refractory cervical anastomotic fistula which postoperatively remains unhealed for more than 2 months under conservative care severely impacts the quality of life of the patient and potentially leads to anastomotic stricture after the fistula heals. It is widely accepted that, to avoid this complication, refractory cervical anastomotic fistulas should undergo more aggressive treatments. However, when and which surgical intervention should be considered is unclear.

OBJECTIVE

This study was designed to evaluate the role of the pectoralis major myocutaneous flap in the management of refractory cervical anastomotic fistulas based on our experience of 6 cases and a literature review.

METHODS

Six patients diagnosed with refractory cervical anastomotic fistula after esophagectomy treated using pectoralis major myocutaneous flap transfer were included in the study. The clinical data, surgical details, and treatment outcome were retrospectively analyzed.

RESULTS

All patients survived the operations. One patient who had a circumferential anastomotic defect resulting from surgical exploration developed a mild fistula in the neo-anastomotic site in the 5th postoperative day, which healed after 7 days of conservative care. This patient developed an anastomotic stricture which was partially alleviated by an endoscopic anastomotic dilatation. All the other 5 patients had uneventful recoveries after operations and restored oral intake on the 10th-15th days after operation, and they tolerated normal diets without subsequent sequelae on follow-up. One patient developed both local and lung recurrence and died in 15 months after operation, while the other 5 patients survived with good tumor control during the follow-up of 25-53 months.

CONCLUSION

The satisfactory treatment outcome in our study demonstrates that pectoralis major myocutaneous flap reconstruction is a reliable management modality for refractory cervical anastomotic fistulas after esophagectomy, particularly for those patients who experienced persistent fistulas after conservative wound care and repeated wound closures.

Effectiveness of sternocleidomastoid flap repair for cervical anastomotic leakage after esophageal reconstruction

BACKGROUND/AIMS

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of sternocleidomastoid (SCM) flap repair for anastomotic leakage after esophagectomy.

METHODS

A refractory cutaneous fistula from the gastric stump developed in 8 patients with esophageal cancer who underwent esophagogastric anastomosis after esophagectomy. All patients underwent SCM flap repair. The cutaneous fistula was removed and resutured. The sternal head of the left SCM was dissected from the manubrium of the sternum and sutured onto the repaired gastric stump.

RESULTS

The operative duration was 80-220 min (median, 120 min). The amount of intraoperative bleeding ranged from 5 to 182 g (median, 15 g). The absence of recurrent anastomotic leakage was confirmed after the SCM flap repair in every patient. Oral intake was initiated 7-15 days (median, 10 days) after the repair operation without discomfort.

CONCLUSIONS

SCM flap repair is an effective and minimally invasive treatment method for cervical anastomotic leakage after esophageal reconstruction. This method may be considered in patients with refractory leakage of the gastric stump after staple anastomosis.