title: Two-stage operation for thoracic esophageal cancer: esophagectomy and subsequent reconstruction by a free jejunal flap.
abstract: When the stomach is unavailable for esophageal reconstruction due to previous gastrectomy or synchronous gastric cancer, a pedicled jejunum or colon, with or without vascular supercharge, has been the alternative. However, these reconstructions are not free from severe complications, such as necrosis. We have introduced a new surgical technique for delayed esophageal reconstruction using a free jejunal flap. We used this technique in 11 patients. Four weeks after subtotal esophagectomy, reconstruction using free jejunal flaps was performed. A free jejunum was placed at the pre-sternum, and the internal thoracic artery and vein were usually used as the recipient vessels. There were no cases of flap necrosis and no hospital deaths. Anastomotic leakage occurred in two cases. Both leakages were cured by conservative treatment. Delayed esophageal reconstruction using a free jejunal flap can be considered to be a safe procedure when the stomach is unavailable as an esophageal substitute.
authors.affiliation: Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, Japan, okumura-tky@umin.ac.jp.
authors.forename: Yasuhiro
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Okumura
authors.forename: Kazuhiko
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Mori
authors.forename: Yukinori
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Yamagata
authors.forename: Takashi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Fukuda
authors.forename: Ikuo
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Wada
authors.forename: Nobuyuki
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Shimizu
authors.forename: Sachiyo
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Nomura
authors.forename: Takuya
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Iida
authors.forename: Makoto
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mihara
authors.forename: Yasuyuki
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Seto
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D004938:Esophageal Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D016629:Esophagectomy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007583:Jejunum / Q000637:transplantation*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D013524:Surgical Flaps; D016896:Treatment Outcome