Development of fistula between esophagogastric anastomotic site and cartilage portion of trachea after subtotal esophagectomy for cervical esophageal cancer: a case report

Refractory cutaneo-gastric conduit fistula after esophagectomy repaired by a pectoralis major muscle flap and split-thickness skin graft

BACKGROUND

Gastric conduit ulcer after esophagectomy is not uncommon. In cases where a gastric conduit ulcer penetrates the adjacent organs, it is difficult to select a suitable treatment strategy. The treatment depends on the adjacent organs penetrated.

CASE PRESENTATION

We report a case in which a reconstructed gastric conduit ulcer penetrated the precordial skin in a patient who had undergone esophagectomy due to spontaneous esophageal rupture 28 years previously. To treat the cutaneo-gastric conduit fistula, we resected the fistula, covered the site of anastomosis with a major pectoralis muscle flap, and applied a split-thickness skin graft to the skin defect.

CONCLUSIONS

In cases of gastric conduit trouble in patients treated via the antesternal route, a major pectoralis muscle flap is useful because of its rich blood supply and easy mobilization. In addition, a split-thickness skin graft should be applied to the skin defect.

Diagnosis, assessment, and management of surgical complications following esophagectomy

Despite improvements in operative strategies for esophageal resection, anastomotic leaks, fistula, postoperative pulmonary complications, and chylothorax can occur. Our review seeks to identify potential risk factors, modalities for early diagnosis, and novel interventions that may ameliorate the potential adverse effects of these surgical complications following esophagectomy.

Successful repair using thymus pedicle flap for tracheoesophageal fistula: a case report

Background

Treatment for tracheoesophageal fistula (TEF), a life-threatening complication after esophagectomy, is challenging.

Case presentation

A 75-year-old man with thoracic esophageal cancer underwent subtotal esophagectomy and gastric tube reconstruction through the post-mediastinal root after neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Owing to postoperative anastomotic leakage, an abscess formed at the anastomotic region. Sustained inflammation from the abscess caused refractory TEF between the esophagogastric anastomotic site and membrane of the trachea, and several conservative therapies for TEF failed. Hence, the patient underwent surgery including division of the fistula, direct suturing of the leakage sites, and reinforcement with the flap of the thymus pedicle. As a result, the abscess and TEF disappeared after surgery and the patient was immediately administered an oral diet and discharged home 103 days after initial surgery.

Conclusions

Although pedicle flaps for the reinforcement of TEF are usually obtained from muscle or pericardium, these flaps need enough lengths to overcome moving distance. We are the first in the existing literature to have successfully treated TEF with surgical repair using a thymus flap located close to TEF. The thymus pedicle might be another candidate for the reinforcement flap in TEF.