title: Repositioning the stoma of the cervical esophagostomy.
abstract: The stoma created with a diverting cervical esophagostomy is often an unsightly inconvenience for the patient because of the high incidence of leakage from the collecting appliance. Secure attachment of a collection device at the base of the neck is difficult. The stoma of the cervical esophagostomy may be moved away from the base of the neck using a tubed skin flap modeled after that originally described by Wookey. Such a procedure has the advantages of removing the appliance from an area of high visibility and providing a flatter base that decreases leakage and soiling. We advocate this simple procedure in patients who desire to rid themselves of a cervical appliance, but who are poor operative candidates for a more extensive procedure replacing the entire esophagus.
authors.affiliation: Division of Plastic and Reconstructive and Cardiothoracic Surgery, Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, Pennsylvania State University, Hershey 17033-0850, USA.
authors.forename: D M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Smeal
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Campbell
authors.forename: E K
authors.initials: EK
authors.lastname: Manders
mesh_terms: D004946:Esophagostomy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D012086:Reoperation; D013524:Surgical Flaps