title: Periodic alterations of jejunal mucosa morphology following free microvascular transfer for pharyngoesophageal reconstruction.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Free jejunal flap reconstruction is the treatment of choice for patients after pharyngoesophagectomy. It remains unclear as to how the transplanted jejunal mucosal damage proceeds after the warm ischaemia. The current study aims to assess the relationship between the duration of ischaemia and the damage of jejunal mucosa.
  
  
  METHODS
  From May 2002 to February 2003, 15 free jejunal flaps in 15 patients were transplanted to the cervical area for the reconstruction after pharyngoesophagectomy. Biopsy specimens were taken from the monitor loop at the time of pedicle ligation, 10 min after reperfusion, every day for 10 days, 14th day, 28th day, and 40th day after operation. Mucosal injury was assessed based on an accepted three-point scale which evaluates oedema, inflammation, mucosal necrosis or exfoliation, shortening of villi, and increase of goblet cells.
  
  
  RESULTS
  All 15 jejunal flaps survived. The mean ischaemia time was 68.7+/-5.2 min (range: 37-116). Serious injury to the mucosa was observed at 10 min after reperfusion, and gradually recovered until the 8th day, when it became normal in all flaps. The degree of damage was not found to be correlated with the length of ischaemia (less than 116 min). Severe ischaemia/reperfusion-induced mucosal damage occurs immediately following reperfusion and gradually recovers with time. The severity of the damage is not related linearly to the ischaemia time within 2h. The mucosa recovers gradually from the 8th day and returns to normal at the 28th day.
authors.affiliation: Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Kaohsiung Army General Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Guan-Ming
authors.initials: GM
authors.lastname: Feng
authors.forename: Wen-Guei
authors.initials: WG
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.forename: Samuel
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Huan-Tang Chen
authors.forename: Yong-Ming
authors.initials: YM
authors.lastname: Chu
authors.forename: Lih-Min
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Tsai
authors.forename: Tzu-Ming
authors.initials: TM
authors.lastname: Chang
authors.forename: Samir
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Mardini
authors.forename: Hung-Chi
authors.initials: HC
authors.lastname: Chen
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D002648:Child; D004947:Esophagus / Q000601:surgery*; D006085:Graft Survival; D006801:Humans; D007413:Intestinal Mucosa / Q000473:pathology; D007583:Jejunum / Q000473:pathology / Q000637:transplantation*; D008866:Microsurgery; D008875:Middle Aged; D010614:Pharynx / Q000601:surgery*; D015427:Reperfusion Injury / Q000473:pathology; D013524:Surgical Flaps / Q000098:blood supply / Q000473:pathology*; D013997:Time Factors