11,582

15-year Personal Experience of Esophageal Reconstruction by Left Colic Artery-dependent Colic Graft for Caustic Stricture: Surgical Technique and Postoperative Results

Abdelkader Boukerrouche

Abdelkader Boukerrouche, Department of Digestive Surgery, Beni-Messous Hospital, University of Algiers, Algiers, Algeri

Correspondence to: Abdelkader Boukerrouche, Department of Digestive Surgery, Beni-Messous Hospital, University of Algiers, Algiers, Algeri
Email: aboukerrouche@yahoo.com
Telephone: +213661227298
Fax: +213 21 931310
Received: October 20, 2015
Revised: January 1, 2016
Accepted: January 4, 2016
Published online: January 18, 2016

ABSTRACT

AIM: The aim of this retrospective study is to report a 15-year personal experience of surgical management of esophageal caustic stricture by using substernal left colic interposition.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: From 1999 to 2014, 105 patients with esophageal caustic stenosis were managed surgically. There were 90 women and 15 men. Patients aged from 15 to 70 years. Emergency esophago-gastrectomy was performed in 4 patients. Early gastric stenosis was treated before reconstructive surgery by gastro-jejunostomy in 12 patients. Nutritional disorders were corrected before surgery. The thoracic inlet was enlarged in 36 patients. The functional results were evaluated in all patients.

RESULTS: Postoperative death occurred in 3 patients. The complication rate was 26.6%. The transplant necrosis was occurred in 2 patients. Cervical anastomotic leakage occurred in 15 patients. Early reoperation was performed in 4 patients. Cervical anastomosis stricture occurred in 8 patients. The redundancy was occurred in 2 patients. The swallowing function was considered good in 94 patients (92.1%).

Conclusion: The early endoscopic evaluation provides accurate diagnosis and permit to define an appropriate therapeutic strategy. The goal of esophageal reconstructive surgery is to restore digestive continuity and good swallowing function. The left colon graft based on left colic vessels and interposed by substernal route is the technique of choice to reconstruct the scarred esophagus with good results.

© 2016 ACT. All rights reserved.

Key words:Esophageal stricture; Left colon graft; Results

Boukerrouche A. 15-year Personal Experience of Esophageal Reconstruction by Left Colic Artery-dependent Colic Graft for Caustic Stricture: Surgical Technique and Postoperative Results. Journal of Gastroenterology and Hepatology Research 2016; 5(1): 1931-1937 Available from: URL: http://www.ghrnet.org/index.php/joghr/article/view/1431

Introduction

Potentially catastrophic presentation and lifelong complications resulting from caustic ingestion make it one of the most challenging clinical situations encountered in gastroenterology. Caustic material ingestion in adults is most frequently for suicidal intent[1,2,3,4]. Destruction of tissues or of these organs may lead to complications, esophageal and gastric perforation, or even death might occur. Stricture formation with inability of swallowing is inevitable in some cases. The first treatment of this stricture is the dilations. The goal of reconstructive surgery of esophagus is to restore both gut continuity and swallowing function with minimal mortality and morbidity.

Using colon as an esophageal substitute became a reliable option when Kelling and Vulliet independently reported experiences with transverse colon graft in 1911[5,6]. The efficacy of colon graft has been thoroughly evaluated and definitively attested by competent surgeons during the past three decades[7,8]. However the morbidity still ranges from 20% to 60% in the literature, emphasizing that this procedure should not be underestimated[9-13]. The success of esophageal reconstruction by colic interposition depends on several factors. The most important is the accuracy of the surgical technique and the experience of surgeon. The aim of this retrospective study is to report a 15-yearpersonal experience of surgical management of esophageal caustic stricture using substernal left colic interposition.

MATERIALS AND Methods

From 1999 to 2014, 105 patients with esophageal caustic stenosis were managed surgically in our institution. There were 90 women and 15 men with sex ratio 6, respectively. Patients aged from 15 to 70 years (median = 24 years). Emergency esophago-gastrectomy was performed in 4 patients.Early gastric stenosis was treated before reconstructive surgery by gastro-jejunostomy in 12 patients (table 1). The caustic materials for injuries were liquid lye and acids (80 cases and 25 cases, respectively). The esophageal stenosis was determined by endoscopy and radiological signs. The dilations were performed in 73 patients (70%).The time between the ingestion and the reconstructive surgery ranged from 3 months to 10 years (median = 12 months). Enteral nutrition via catether-jejunostomy was started 48 h postoperatively. The proximal esophagocolic anastomosis was checked routinely by radiography with water soluble contrast medium on postoperative days (PODs) 8-10. The functional results were evaluated on the basis of pattern of swallowing, on the presence of specific symptoms (aspiration, regurgitation, dysphagia), weight change and reoperations for late complications. The patients were reviewed regularly in out-patient department at 3, 06, 12, 24, 36 months after discharge from hospital. The patients were clinically examined and some exams were done in symptomatic patients when necessary in order to detect eventual complication.

Preoperative Evaluation

The colon was evaluated preoperatively by colonoscopy in patients aged 45 or older or were at high risk for of associated colic diseases such as chronic ischemia, cancer, or diverticulosis. A mesenteric angiography can be helpful in outlining the vascular arcade of the segment of bowel to be interposed. Only one of these patients underwent preoperative mesenteric angiography to delineate the colonic blood supply in this series.

The nutritional status of patients was evaluated and Nutritional disorders were corrected before surgery by parenteral and enteral nutrition(gastrostomy or jejunostomy).

The bowel preparation consisted of 3 days of a clear liquid diet, followed by two mild water enemas for large bowel preparation the day before operation. All patients received perioperative antibiotic prophylaxis with metronidazole.

Operative technique of colonic interposition

As colonic interposition was mostly used in our study and the surgical procedure was prescribed. The operation was carried out through an upper abdominal incision and a left cervical incision along the inner border of the sternocleidomastoid muscle in 105 patients and in 2 patients with a right thoracotomy. The cervical esophagus was explored and it was transected in the level that esophagus was normal. In case the cervical esophagus was thickened and stiff in consistency, indicating that the organ was too extensively injured, it was resected and a hypopharyngocolostomy had to be performed.

The entire colon was freed from its attachments and mobilized largely that it could be placed outside the peritoneal cavity for inspection of its vascular blood supply by palpation and transillumination of the mesentery (Figures 1 and 2).

The middle and left colonic arteries were identified and freed respectively. The left colonic vessels were evaluated and chosen as the preferred pedicle for the transposed colonic segment. The evaluation of the marginal arcade and the venous drainage is recommended. The root of the middle and right colic arteries were clamped with bulldog clamps for about 15 min. In the same time, the estimated ends of graft were clamped with intestinal clamps and watched. If the colon acted as replacement graft expressed normal in colour, peristalsis and adequate blood flow as ascertained by the presence of a pulsatile flow in the marginal artery (especially those in both ends of the selected segment), the clamped vessels were divided and tied. Then the colon was transected at its ascending part upstream of the right colonic flexure as well as at the splenic flexure. The colonic segment used in all these patients consisted of left colon was maintained by a double vascular pedicle based on the left colic vessels and the marginal paracolic arcade via the sigmoid vessels (Figures 3 and 4).

The graft used was pulled to the neck in isoperistaltic direction.The substernal route was used exclusively in 103 patients and posterior mediastinum in 2 patients. When the colon is elevated behind the sternum, constant checking of the position of the vessels is required because minimal twisting that does not impede the arterial supply may represent a significant obstacle to the venous flow, which is thought to be the usual precipitating event for necrosis.

In the beginning of our experience, we enlarge the thoracic inlet by resection of manubrium and the head of left clavicle when the thoracic inlet was jugged too narrow. Currently, we systematically associate this additional procedure to any substernal colic interposition in order to avoid or decrease compression on the proximal colonic graft at the level of the thoracic inlet. This associated procedure was done in 36 patients.

The scarred esophageal and pharyngeal tissue was resected completely and proximal cervical anastomosis was performed on healthy tissue in an end-to-end fashion with hand-suturing single-layer technique in all patients. Pharyngo-colic anastomosis with pharyngoplasty was performed in 11 patients.

The cologastric anastomosis was performed on the posterior wall of the stomach to prevent gastro-colic reflux however in case of stomach stenosis; the anastomosis was performed on the anterior wall. When the stomach was not available, the anastomosis was performed between the distal portion of graft and a Roux en y loop of jejunum. Enteral nutrition via catheter-jejunostomy was started 48 h postoperatively. The proximal esophago-colic anastomosis was checked routinely by radiography with water soluble contrast medium on postoperative days (PODs) 8-10.

Results

The dilation was performed in 73 patients (70%) and it was begun 4 weeks after ingestion in earlier stenosis. None of these patients had presented any complication linked to dilation. Reconstructive surgery was required in 105 patients. There were no intraoperative deaths. The main intraoperative complication was pneumothorax caused by inadvertent lesion of the mediastinal pleura during the blunt dissection of the substernal space. Postoperative death occurred in 3 patients at 1, 3 and 25 postoperative days. The causes were pulmonary emboli, myocardial infarcts and severe infectious complication with multi-organ failure.

Twenty eight patients developed postoperative complications making a complication rate of 26.6 % (Table 2).The transplant necrosis was occurred in 2 patients (1.9%). It diagnosed at 1 and 2 postoperative days. The most common complication was cervical anastomotic leakage, which occurred in 15patients (14.2%) of this series. The postoperative complications are listed in Table2.

The leak was managed conservatively in all patients and conservative treatment consisted of continuous nutritional support, cessation of oral feeding in some patients and daily wound local care. The complete healing was obtained about 7 to 14 days. Early reoperation was performed in 6 patients (Table 3). The causes were cervical hematoma (n=2), ischemic necrosis of graft (n=2) and intra-abdominal bleeding (n=2). Cervical anastomotic stricture occurred in 8 patients (7.6%). The redundancy was occurred in 2 patients and it was treated by resection of redundant colon with colo-colic anastomosis end-to-end (Table 3). The functional results were evaluated in all the patients during follow-up periods ranging from 6 to 13 years (median5 years). All patients had exclusively an oral feeding. The body weight, compared to that before surgery, was increased in all patients. Gastro-colic reflux developed in 5 patients and was managed with medical treatment and lifestyle modification such as elevating the head of the bed on 4- to 6-inch blocks and avoiding recumbency for 2-3 h after meals.

Dysphagia secondary to anastomotic stricture was noted in 8 Patients. The dysphagia was elective for solid and semisolid meals however oral intake of liquid diets was maintained in these dysphagic patients. The stricture was successfully treated by dilations in 6 patients however surgery had been an ultimate solution in the 2 others patients. At last follow-up, an excellent long-term functional results were observed in 85.2 % of our patients (n=87). In 15 patients (14.7%), an improvement of symptoms was noted after an appropriate treatment which was consisted of administration of antireflux drugs, endoscopic dilations and re-operation. We had not noted any difference in term of functional results in patients with esophago-colostomy and those with pharyngo-colostomy.

Discussion

In this series, caustic injury was the main cause for esophageal reconstruction and the most common caustic agent used was alkali, usually sodium hydroxide. Sodium hydroxide is a clear liquid that could be mistaken for water. The second corrosive agent used is the chloride acid. The ingestion was voluntarily and in suicidal intent in the most situations (75%). This indicates that such patients require a multidisciplinary therapeutic approach including psychiatric support. A successful management of corrosive injury involves prompt recognition and early treatment particularly in severe injury which can lead to death resulted from complications. These complications, represented by mediastinitis and peritonitis, are due to digestive perforation (esophagus, stomach). The stricture was observed more frequently in patients who ingested a large amount of concentrated caustic substances for suicidal intent. Every effort should be made to retain the native esophagus in these patients with benign esophageal disease. So the first treatment of esophageal caustic strictures are the endoscopic dilations. Seventy eight of our patients (75%) underwent endoscopic dilations. Failure of dilations was defined by persistent or early recurrent stricture after four to five dilations or by perforation during dilation. Arbitrarily, strictures longer than 5 cm were judged unsuitable for dilation. Unfortunately, it is sometimes not possible to maintain an adequate esophageal lumen diameter despite all the measures (medical therapy, stent and repeated dilations). Reconstructive surgery of esophagus was indicated when the stricture was so severe with swallowing difficulties and important weight loss, or when the dilatation had failed. However and in some cases, surgery can be the first therapeutic option for severe and longer stricture. The time of esophageal reconstructive surgery for caustic stricture is still under controversy. The scar retraction began as early as the end of the second week, and lasted for about six months. It took about 6-12 months before full fibrosis stopped to develop after the injury which showed that the edge of the stricture in the esophagus might not be confirmed until then[14,15]. A too earlier operation, when the scar has not completely formed, may promote the risk of anastomotic leak and stenosis. However the minimal delay for esophageal reconstructive surgery after corrosive injury is 3 months, but, it is believed that to increase the chance of successful surgical management, the operation must be carried out at least six months after the injury. So we think that the most beneficial time for surgery after the injury is no less than 3 months for the esophagus and 6 months for the pharynx. In case of cervical esophageal stenosis, most of authors suggest to resect the scarred esophagus and to perform the esophagocolic anastomosis on healthy tissue[13,16].

Twelve patients had developed both esophageal and gastric stricture. The gastric stricture was occurred early after injury. The esophageal stricture was treated initially by dilations with partial response permitting liquid oral intake. In order to facilitate the introduction of oral intake; the gastric stricture was treated surgically by performing a gastro-jejunostomy on the posterior side of gastric wall. The median time between caustic ingestion and gastric surgery was 45 days. This delay was too short because gastric stricture, compared to that of esophagus, occurred early after caustic injury. The esophagus was explored in these 12 patients before gastric surgery by flexible paediatric endoscope or radiography with water soluble contrast medium. These exams were performed after dilations in order to show the obtained diameter of scarred esophagus and to evaluate the efficacy of such treatment. The reconstructive surgery was indicated in these 12 patients after failure of dilations.

Choice of replacement organs

The organs used for esophageal replacement in patients with caustic stricture included stomach, jejunum and colon[17,18]. The decision of which conduit to use is based on multiple factors including the required length, the blood supply of the intended conduit, the local anatomy, which conduits are available and the experience of the surgeon. Orringer and Stirling[19,20], and others[21,22] concluded that gastric interposition was the procedure of choice for most patients with benign disease. Other authors have suggested that the colon is the best conduit to restore swallowing function mainly because of an increased incidence of aspiration and reflux with gastric conduit[23,24].

Stomach has the disadvantages of long term gastro-esophageal reflux which can lead to complications such esophageal ulceration and anastomotic stenosis[25]. In case of diffused injuries with pharyngo-esophageal stenosis, the stomach is not sufficient long to reach the basis of the tongue to realize pharyngoplasty. In massive caustic ingestion, the stomach is often injured and its use as an esophageal substitute is impossible. In our experience, the esophago-gastrostomy was performed only in 3 patients of our series.

Jejunal interposition is seldom used because of the difficulty for operation since blood vessels of jejunum are too thin and easier to be affected after anastomosis. Furthermore; the jejunum is fragile to the erosion of acid in a long run, so the jejunum should not be the first choice. The best indication of jejunal transplant is the partial reconstruction of the esophagus particularly the cervical by free jejunal graft with micro vascular anastomosis. In our study, we had performed only one jejunal interposition for caustic stenosis of colon transplant after recurrence of caustic ingestion because the stomach was unavailable and the colon was not enough long to use.

Despite the increased operative time and number of anastomoses, the advantages of a colon graft become apparent including its relatively straight mesentery, its status as a enough long transplant organ to be pulled to the neck, its low incidence of disease, and the long-term good functional results and protection from chronic gastroesophageal reflux. So colon could offer potential advantages over other organs[17,26], and it is believed to be an ideal and excellent organ for esophageal reconstruction.

We used exclusively the isoperistaltic left colonic transplant supplied by the left colic artery in esophageal reconstruction for caustic stricture. So our preference for a left colonic segment lies in the near-invariability of the left colonic artery (which has been present in all the patients of our series except in one patient, it had too reduced size and unusable) in contrast with the vascular pattern of the right colon, the better plasticity of its mesocolon, and its smaller lumen. Finally, we have encountered no problems with ischemia of the left colonic graft linked to blood insufficiency. The right colon graft was used only in one situation because the left colon was unusable (left colic artery had a much reduced size). The colon graft could always be used in an isoperistaltic direction when possible. However, efforts to prevent the colon graft redundancy are important.

Preoperative colonoscopy was performed in a small number of patients because the great number of our patients was aged less than 40 years. This exam is necessary when the patient is at risk for colonic diseases or is older than 45 years. The preoperative mesenteric angiography is performed to explore the vascular anatomy of the colon. Therefore the arterial abnormalities are identified to influence the choice of digestive transplant or the vascular pedicle for the graft in a small percentage of patients[27]. The decision about which colic segment to use, is made intraoperatively and depends on anatomic conditions, vessels clamping test and the surgeon’s preferences and experience. Most centers, including ours, do not perform systematically preoperative mesenteric angiography. The angiography is recommended electively in patients with a history of a previous colonic resection during which major colonic vessels have been ligated. This invasive exam had been performed in one of our patients who had undergone firstly a substernal colic interposition and had been planned for a re-reconstructive surgery for caustic stricture of the interposed colic graft.

The mortality reported in the literature after colonic interposition varied from 2.5 to 10%[28]. The mortality rate in our series was 2.8% (n=3) and it was comparable to the rate reported in many series. The causes were pulmonary emboli, myocardial infarcts and severe infectious complication with multi-organ failure. Nevertheless, the morbidity rate is still high and it ranges from 20% to 60% in the literature[12,14,16,17]. The morbidity in our series was 26.6 % (n=28).

The most severe complication was necrosis of the transplanted colon and it was occurred in two patients. This disastrous complication is associated with high rate of death in absence of early diagnosis and adequate management. The cute management of graft necrosis consisted of the removal of the necrotic part, performing a cervical esophagostomy, large drainage, antibiotics and inserting a catheter-jejunostomy with introduction of an adapted nutritional supplementation. We use exclusively enteral nutrition via tube-jejunostomy because it is more physiologic. The operative findings confirmed that necrosis was secondary to venous obstruction by compression on the graft at the upper thoracic inlet that had not been enlarged in these two cases. A slightly higher rate of ischemic necrosis after using the left colon graft has been reported by some authors. Davis et al reported an rate of 2.4% of colon ischemia after right colon interposition[29], whereas DeMeester et al reported a rate of 4.7 % of intraoperative graft ischemia after left colon interposition[16]. The reported rates of left colonic graft necrosis vary from 3 to 9%[30,31,32]. In our series, it was 1.9%(n= 2), being comparable to that of right colonic graft necrosis.

The graft necrosis is associated with very lower rate of further restoration of gut continuity. Further digestive re-reconstruction is not well codified and requires a panel of complex surgical procedures. So the difficulty is how to restore the gut continuity and which digestive organ is available. In this situation, a more complex reconstruction procedure should be considered. In the 2 cases of our series, the digestive continuity was established by substernal interposition of anti-peristaltic gastric graft through triple incision cervicotomy, sternotomy and laparotomy 3 and 6 months later respectively. To prevent the graft necrosis associated with this mode of esophageal reconstruction, the anatomic variations in the number, size, and distribution of the colonic vessels are the rule. So meticulous dissection and complete mobilization of the colon are required with the guidance of transillumination of the mesentery, palpation of pulsatile flow in the vessels, or intraoperative Doppler examination with a fatty mesentery[12]. Also when the colon is pulled up to the neck through a substernal route, constant checking of the position of the vessels is required. Minimal twisting may represent a significant obstacle to the venous flow with occurrence of venous congestion which is the usual precipitating event for necrosis[33]. In substernal colon interposition, it is important to ensure there is no compression on the transposed colon at the thoracic inlet because venous drainage is very sensitive to a mechanical obstacle[33]. We feel so it is essential to enlarge the thoracic inlet in order to avoid any cervical compression on the transposed colon graft.

The most routes used for esophageal reconstruction is the mediastinal and substernal route. The posterior mediastinum is the shortest route and its use needs the ablation native esophagus. In case of esophageal caustic stricture, the scarred esophagus adheres to adjacent organs that make its dissection risky and hemorrhagic. Indeed the substernal route is thus commonly used as an alternate. Initially, we enlarged the thoracic inlet when it was jugged to narrow. Currently, we do it routinely in all patients undergoing a substernal colonic interposition. This associated procedure is recommended by many surgeons when using the substernal approach for esophageal reconstruction[34-40].

The cervical anastomotic leakage is the most common complication encountered in esophageal reconstruction. The cervical leak rates for substernal reconstruction vary from 10% to 47%[41]. It occurred in 15 patients (14.2%) of our series and it diagnosed between 7 and 9 postoperative day (POD). The leak was clinically evident, and it was managed conservatively by opening the cervical wound in all patients. The healing of leak was obtained between 7 and 10 days. The most patients operated for esophageal caustic stricture was accompanied with bad nutritional status because oral intake was often interrupted. The malnutrition affects the healing process of anastomosis. So these patients were at high risk to develop postoperative complications. The nutritional status of patients was evaluated to determine the severity of an malnutrition by using specific markers, biomass index (BMI), weight loss, serum level of albumin and total protein. Good nutritional condition may reduce the risk to developing infectious complications particularly anastomotic leakage. The nutritional disturbances were corrected before surgery and both enteral and parenteral nutritional supports were used. As previously reported[42], we prefer enteral nutrition via tube- jejunostomy and parenteral nutrition was used when enteral nutrition was impossible or not tolerated.

Placement of the graft seems to affect the early morbidity. Placing the transplant through a substernal route was associated with high rate of cervical leak as compared with placement in the PM[16] and the substernal route (RS) was identified statistically significant to be the independent risk factor predisposing to cervical leakage[43].The opening of the upper thoracic inlet may decrease the cervical anastomotic complications, and it is associated with a lower rate of cervical leakage[44]. The cervical leak was occurred only in 5 patients of 36 patients in whom the thoracic inlet was enlarged. We have observed a lower rate of cervical leak in group with enlarged thoracic inlet. Osteomyelitis of clavicle and sternum had not been observed in any patient of our series, therefore the risk to develop such complication is minor and we did not notice any report of case of osteomyelitis after thoracic inlet opening in literature.

The cervical anastomotic stenosis occurred in 7.6% of our patients (n=8). The cervical leak is the clinical expression of a poorly anastomotic healing and nearly 60 % of anastomotic stricture resulted of healed leak. Cervical anastomosis stricture occurred in 8 patients and 5 patients (62.5%) who developed this anastomotic complication had previously a cervical leakage which healed spontaneously. Nevertheless in 6 patients the stenosis resolved with conservative treatment, mostly after a limited number of endoscopic dilatations. However the surgical revision was been necessary in 2 patients and the treatment consisted of resection of stricture and realization of a new end- to-end anastomosis.

As reported in literature, the main late complication of colonic interposition is the redundancy of the interposed colon[45]. The redundancy was occurred in 2 patients (1.9%). The colon graft used acts mainly as passive conduit and the food bolus travels mainly through the colic transplant by gravity[33,46]. To reduce the occurrence of redundancy, it is important to make graft straight and to resect the excess part of conduit. The need for reoperation after colon interposition ranges from 15% to 30%[47] and reoperation was frequently performed for redundancy of the colic graft. Redundancy leads to retention of food and liquid in the graft, regurgitation, and nocturnal aspiration. Excision of the redundant colon with anastomosis of the colon end-to-end is usually successful. This operative technique was performed in two patients. However; care must be taken to avoid injury to the vascular pedicle supplying the graft.

Scarred esophagus

Ablating the scarred esophagus during esophageal reconstruction remains controversial. Many studies have focused on the relation between esophageal injury and carcinoma. As reported, the interval between the caustic injury and the diagnosis of scar carcinoma is to be as long as 30-46 years, and the highest incidence of scar carcinoma was to be 7.2%[48-51]. Considering the incidence of scar carcinoma, some surgeons perform simultaneous resection of the scarred esophagus[47,48]. However, others preserve it for fear of neighboring organ damage because the injured esophagus adheres to the adjacent mediastinal organs extensively and densely[52]. So the resection of scarred esophageal might result in massive bleeding and trauma to contiguous vital organs and its resection should be seriously considered. We had ablated the scarred esophagus in 2 patients in whom we had performed a partial esophageal reconstruction with intrathoracic anastomosis.

The functional results after esophageal reconstructive digestive surgery has been widely investigated[53-56]. The functional results were evaluated on the basis of the pattern of swallowing, on the presence of specific symptoms like regurgitation, aspiration, dysphagia,weight change and reoperations for late complications. At the last follow-up, the overall functional evaluation demonstrated an excellent functional result in 85.2% (n=87) and an improvement was obtained after treatment in the 15 symptomatic patients (14.7%). Our functional results are comparable to those reported in literature[53-57].

This present experience shows that substernal left colic interposition for esophageal caustic stricture is a technique of choice in the esophageal reconstruction. When performed by experienced surgeons, the mortality associated with this surgical procedure is very low, the morbidity is acceptable and the long-term functional results are good.

Keys for success of surgical procedure

The successful esophageal reconstruction is a challenge. The good nutritional status of the patient and the expertise and the experience of the surgeon in such surgery are the main condition of success. Nutritional evaluation of the patient and corrections of malnutrition are important for the healing process of anastomosis. Enteral nutrition by gastrostomy or jejunostomy and parenteral nutrition must be introduced to improve the nutritional status of patients candidate to surgical procedure of reconstruction. However enteral nutritional supports are physiologic and more preferred than the parenteral ones. In addition to an effective nutritional support, meticulous surgical technique are important and the pivotal keys for a successful surgical procedure are the adequate and good vascular supply of the colic graft, as well as the absence of tension at the anastomosis by preparation of a graft adequate in length. Enlargement of the thoracic inlet by resection of the left half of manubrium and the left clavicle should be considered for substernal colonic interposition to avoid compression on the graft colon. Regarding to lower mortality and acceptable morbidity and good long-term functional results of referent and expert centres, esophageal reconstructive surgery performed by expert surgeons is a good surgical method to treat esophageal caustic stricture.

Conclusion

The most severe caustic injuries are caused by Strong acid or alkali ingestion especially in suicide attempts. The early endoscopic evaluation of patients provides accurate diagnosis and permit to define an appropriate therapeutic strategy to prevent complications (early operation). The dilations constitute the first treatment of esophageal stricture. Esophageal reconstructive surgery was indicated when stricture was so severe and after ineffectiveness or lack of dilations. The goal of this surgery is to restore digestive continuity and good swallowing function with acceptable mortality and morbidity. Performed by experienced surgeons, the left colon graft based on left colic vessels and interposed by substernal route is the technique of choice to reconstruct the scarred esophagus with low mortality, acceptable morbidity and good functional results.

CONFLICT OF INTERESTS

The authors declare that they do not have conflict of interests.

REFERENCES

1Ramasamy K, Gumaste VV. Corrosive ingestion in adults. J Clin Gastroenterol 2003; 37: 119-124

2Rodriguez MA, Meza Flores JL. Clinical-epidemiological characteristics in caustics ingestion patients in the HipolitoUnanue National Hospital. Rev Gastroenterol Peru 2003; 23: 115-125

3Satar S, Topal M, Kozaci N: Ingestion of caustic substances by adults. Am J Ther 2004, 11(4): 258-61

4Tseng YL, Wu MH, Lin MY, Lai WW. Massive upper gastrointestinal bleeding after acid-corrosive injury. World J Surg 2004; 28: 50-54

5Kelling G. Oesophagoplastik mit hilfe des Quercolons. Zentralbl Chir 1911; 38: 1209-12.

6Vulliet H. De l’oesophagoplastie et des diverses modifications. Semaine M6d 1911; 31: 529-534

7Belsey R. Reconstruction of the esophagus with left colon. J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 1965; 49: 32-55

8Wilkins EW. Long-segment colon substitution for the esophagus. Ann Surg 1980; 192: 722-725

9Buntain WL, Payne WS, Lynn HB. Esophageal reconstruction for benign disease. Am Surg 1980; 46: 67-69

10Hankins JR, Cole FN, McLaughin JS. Colon interposition for benign esophageal disease. Ann Thorac Surg 1984; 37: 192-196

11Keenan DJM, Hamilton JRL, Gibbons J, Stevenson HM. Surgery for benign esophageal stricture. J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 1984; 88: 182-188

12Orringer MB, Kirsh MM, Sloan H. New trends in esophageal replacement for benign disease. Ann Thorac Surg 1977; 23: 409-416

13Cerfolio RJ, Allen MS, Deschamps C, Trastek VF, Pairolero PC. Esophageal replacement by colon interposition. Ann Thorac Surg 1995; 59: 1382-4.

14Bassiouny IE, Al-Ramadan SA, Al-Nady A. Long-term functional results of transhiataloesophagectomy and colonic interposition for caustic oesophageal stricture. Eur J Pediatr Surg 2002; 12: 243-247

15Demirbilek S, Aydin G, Yucesan S, Vural H, Bitiren M. Polyunsaturated phosphatidylcholine lowers collagen deposition in a rat model of corrosive esophageal burn. Eur J Pediatr Surg 2002; 12: 8-12

16DeMeester TR, Johansson KE, Franze I, Eypasch E, Lu CT, McGill JE, Zaninotto G. Indications, surgical technique, and long-term functional results of colon interposition or bypass. Ann Surg 1988; 208: 460-74.

17Erdogan E, Emir H, Eroglu E, Danismend N, Yeker D. Esophageal replacement using the colon: a 15-year review. Pediatr Surg Int 2000; 16: 546-549

18Hirschl RB, Yardeni D, Oldham K, Sherman N, Siplovich L, Gross E, Udassin R, Cohen Z, Nagar H, Geiger JD, Coran AG. Gastric transposition for esophageal replacement in children: experience with 41 consecutive cases with special emphasis on esophageal atresia. Ann Surg 2002; 236: 531-539

19Orringer M B. Tranhiatal esophagectomy for benign disease. J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 1985; 90: 649–55.

20Orringer M B, Stirling M C. Transhiatal esophagectomy for benign and malignant disease. J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 1993; 05: 265-77.

21Waters PF, Pearson FG, Todd TR, Patterson GA, Goldberg M. Esophagectomy for complex benign esophageal disease. J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 1988; 95: 378-81.

22Pinotti HW, Cecconello I, da Rocha JM, Zilberstein B. Resection for achalasia of the esophagus. Hepatogastroenterology 1991; 38: 470-3.

23Skinner D B. Esophageal reconstruction. Am J Surg 1980; 139: 810-14.

24Watson T J, De Meester T R, KauerWKH, Peters J H, Hagen J A. Esophageal replacement for end-stage benign esophageal disease. J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 1998; 115: 1241-9.

25Helardot P. Caustic burns of the esophagus, esophagectomy and replacement with gastric tube: comparative study with other procedures. Saudi Med J 2003; 24: S39

26Deschamps C. History of esophageal surgery for benign disease. Chest SurgClin N Am 2000; 10: 135-144

27Wain J C. Long segment colon interposition.Sem Thorac CardiovascSurg 1992; 4(4): 336-41.

28Ma QF, Liu K, Wang YJ, Cheng QS, Wang XP, Zhou YA. Colonic interposition for 40 patients with benign esophageal disease. Di si Jun yi Daxue Xuebao 2001; 22: 708-713

29Davis PA, Law S, Wong J. Colonic interposition after esophagectomy for cancer. Arch Surg 2003; 138: 303-8.

30Isolauri J, Markkula H, Autio V. Colon interposition in the treatment of carcinoma of the esophagus and gastric cardia. Ann Thorac Surg. 1987; 43: 420-4.

31Thomas P, Fuentes P, Giudicelli R, Reboud E. Colon interposition for esophageal replacement: current indications and longterm function. Ann Thorac Surg. 1997; 64: 757-64.

32Popovici Z. A new philosophy in esophageal reconstruction with colon. Thirty-years experience. Dis Esophagus. 2003; 16: 323-7.

33Postlethwait RW. Resection and reconstruction of the esophagus. In: Postlethwait RW, (ed.). Surgery of the Esophagus, 2nd. Norwalk, CT: Appleton-Century-Crofts, 1986; 469-524.

34Cattan P, Chiche P, Berney T, Halimi B, Aïdan K, Célérier M, Sarfati WE. Surgical approach by cervicosternolaparotomie for the treatment ofextended cervicalstenoses after reconstruction for caustic injury. J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 2001; 122: 384-6.

35Wu M H, Lai W W. Esophageal reconstruction for esophageal strictures or resection after corrosive injury. Ann Thorac Surg 1992; 53: 798-802

36Yasuda T, Shiozaki H. Esophageal Reconstruction with Colon Tissue. Surg Today 2011; 41: 745-53.

37Neville W E, Najem A Z. Colon replacement of the esophagus for congenital and benign disease. Ann Thorac Surg 1983; 36: 626-33.

38Fujita H, Yamana H, Sueyoshi S, Shima I, Fujii T. Impact on outcome of additional microvascular anastomosis – supercharge – on colon interposition for esophageal replacement: comparative and multivariate analysis. World J Surg 1997; 21: 998-1003.

39Wain JC1, Wright CD, Kuo EY, Moncure AC, Wilkins EW Jr, Grillo HC, Mathisen DJ. Long-segment colon interposition for acquired esophageal disease. Ann Thorac Surg 1999; 67: 313-18.

40Dowson HMP, Straus D, Ng R, Mason R. The acute management and surgical reconstruction following failed esophagectomy in malignant disease of the esophagus. Dis Espohagus 2007; 20: 135-40.

41Orringer M B. Substernal gastric bypass of the excluded esophagus – results of an ill-advised operation. Surgery 1984; 96: 467-70.

42Tsutsui S, Moriguchi S, Morita M, Hiroyuki Kuwano, Hiroyuki Matsuda, Masaki Mori, Hiroshi Matsuura, Keizo Sugimachi. Multivariate analysis of postoperative complications after esophageal resection. Ann Thorac Surg 1992; 53: 1052-6.

43Boukerrouche A. Complications Associated with Enteral Nutrition Using Tube Jejunostomy after Esophageal Reconstruction. J Gastrointest Dig Syst 0215; 5: 252.

44Bothereau H, Munoz-Bongrand N, Lambert B, Montemagno S, Cattan P, Sarfati E. Esophageal reconstruction after caustic injury: is there still a place for right coloplasty? Am J Surg 2007; 193: 660-4.

45Shokrollahi K, Barham P, Blazeby JM, Derek A. Surgical revision of dysfunctional colonic interposition after esophagoplasty. Ann ThoracSurg 2002; 74: 1708-11.

46Havanond C. Is there a difference between the management of grade 2b and 3 corrosive gastric injuries? J Med Assoc Thai 2002; 85: 340-344

47DeMeester S R. Colon interposition following esophagectomy. Dis Esophagus 2001; 14: 169-72.

48Gupta NM, Gupta R. Transhiatal esophageal resection for corrosive injury. Ann Surg. 2004;239:359–63.

49RaffenspergerJG, Luck SR, Reynolds M, Schwarz D. Intestinal bypass of the esophagus. J Pediatr Surg.1996; 31: 38-46

50Kim YT, Sung SW, Kim JH. Is it necessary to resect the diseased esophagus in performing reconstruction for corrosive esophageal stricture? Eur J Cardiothorac Surg 2001; 20: 1-6

51Davids PH, Bartelsman JF, Tilanus HW, van Lanschot JJ. Consequences of caustic damage of the esophagus. Ned Tijdschr Geneeskd 2001; 145: 2105-2108

52Csikos M, Horvath O, Petri A, Petri I, Imre J. Late malignant transformation of chronic corrosive oesophageal strictures. Langenbecks Arch Chir. 1985; 365: 231-8.

53Visick AH. A study of the failure after gastrectomy. Ann R Coll Surg Engl 1948; 3: 266-284

54Hanna EA, Harrison AW, Derrick JR (1967) Long-term results of visceral esophageal substitute. Ann Thorac Surg 3: 111-118

55Shokrollahi K, Barham P, Blazeby JM, Derek A. Surgical revision of dysfunctional colonic interposition after esophagoplasty. Ann Thorac Surg 2002; 74: 1708- 11.

56Clark J, Moraldi A, Moossa AR, Hall AW, De Meester TR, Skinner DB. Functional evaluation of the interposed colon as an esophageal substitute. Ann Surg 1976; 183:93-100

57Corazziari E, Mineo TC, Anzini F, Torsoli A, Ricci C. Functional evaluation of colon transplants used in esophageal reconstruction. Dig Dis Sci 1977; 22:7-12

Peer reviewer:Weibiao Cao, M.D, Department of Medicine & Pathology, Rhode Island Hospital and The Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, USA; Kim JH, MD, PhD, Department of Gastroenterology, Ajou University School of Medicine, San 5, Woncheon-dong, Yeong, South Korea.

Refbacks

  • There are currently no refbacks.


Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 License.