title: Efficacy of the endoscopic rendez-vous technique for the reconstruction of complete esophageal disruptions.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The rendezvous endoscopic approach, already described, might be an interesting technique in complete esophageal obstructions (CEO).
  
  
  METHODS
  This retrospective report on nine patients referred because of CEO classified patients into two groups based on length of their esophageal disruption: the long (> 5 cm) group were three patients (esophageal stripping at stent removal [n = 2] and caustic ingestion [n = 1]; two patients having superior esophageal sphincter [SES] destruction); the short (< 5 cm) group were six patients (anastomotic or post-radiotherapy). The procedures were performed under radiographic guidance.
  
  
  RESULTS
  All the reconstructions were successful. In four patients, a neo-SES was created, by transillumination (n = 2) or surgery (n = 2). The first dilation was performed by hydrostatic balloon, with additional metal stents (n = 4) and nasogastric tubes (n = 2) used. All the patients were able to eat after the procedure. Two delayed bleeds occurred, which were managed endoscopically. The patients underwent a median of seven dilations (range 3 - 55) over 8 months (2 - 32 months), with dilations ongoing in five patients, but all able to eat normally.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Endoscopic rendezvous for CEO is safe and effective, even in patients with long disruptions and complete loss of SES.
authors.affiliation: Department of Gastroenterology, North Hospital, Aix-Marseille University, Marseille, France.
authors.forename: Jean-Michel
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Gonzalez
authors.affiliation: Department of Gastroenterology, L'Archet Hospital, Nice University, Nice, France.
authors.forename: Geoffroy
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Vanbiervliet
authors.affiliation: Department of Gastroenterology, North Hospital, Aix-Marseille University, Marseille, France.
authors.forename: Mohamed
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gasmi
authors.affiliation: Department of Gastroenterology, North Hospital, Aix-Marseille University, Marseille, France.
authors.forename: Jean-Charles
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Grimaud
authors.affiliation: Department of Gastroenterology, North Hospital, Aix-Marseille University, Marseille, France.
authors.forename: Marc
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Barthet
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D004940:Esophageal Stenosis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery*; D004944:Esophagoplasty / Q000379:methods*; D004945:Esophagoscopy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D015607:Stents; D016896:Treatment Outcome