Reconstruction of the cervical esophagus: free jejunal transfer versus gastric pull-up

Use of enteric grafts is a popular method for reconstruction of the cervical esophagus and hypopharynx. Free jejunal transfer (FJT) and gastric pull-up (GP) are the most popular methods used. This discussion is a retrospective review of our experience with 50 cases of free jejunal transfer and 15 cases of gastric pull-up. The graft survival rate was 94 percent (47 of 50) for free jejunal transfer and 87 percent (13 of 15) for gastric pull-up. Successful swallowing was achieved in 88 percent (44 of 50) of free jejunal transfers and 87 percent (13 of 15) of gastric pull-ups. Patients with free jejunal transfers were able to swallow and leave the hospital sooner: 10.6 versus 16.0 days and 22.3 versus 29.0 days, respectively. Fistulas occurred in 16 percent (8 of 50) of free jejunal transfers, most of which (6 of 8) healed spontaneously. Fistulas occurred in 20 percent (3 of 15) of gastric pull-ups, only one of which healed spontaneously. Stricture was the most common late complication for free jejunal transfers, 22 percent (11 of 50), whereas reflux was most common in gastric pull-ups, 20 percent (3 of 15). In patients with advanced cancer, extensive esophageal resection into the chest is often required, and gastric pull-up seems to be an easier and more direct form of reconstruction. In limited resection of the hypopharynx and esophagus, especially with proximal lesions, free jejunal transfer is simpler and avoids mediastinal dissection. This concept as well as other advantages and disadvantages of both techniques will be discussed.     

The blood supply of the cervical esophagus.]

In accordance with former authors the arteries for the cervical esophagus originate mainly from the inferior thyroid artery. In a few cases additional vessels originated directly from the subclavian artery. After a variable course they approach the esophagus in a purely transverse direction. The uppermost vessels originating from the inferior thyroid artery may send branches to the posterior wall of the trachea and also supply the anterior wall of the esophagus. The surgical separation of the two organs is dangerous for the esophagus.     

Bakamjian island flap for patch esophagoplasty of the cervical esophagus

Esophageal stricture may result from chemical injury, progressive ischemic fibrosis, constriction of a previous esophagocolonic anastomosis site, or vascular insufficiency of the transferred gut. The Bakamjian skin island flap was employed as a patch for esophagoplasty to relieve focal esophageal stricture in 12 patients. One of these patients developed postoperative leakage, which necessitated a secondary revision. The others had a smooth postoperative course and were able to resume oral intake with ease. It is concluded that the Bakamjian skin island flap is a reliable and convenient method for repairing short defects of the cervical esophagus in one stage.     

Prefabrication of jejunum for challenging reconstruction of cervical esophagus

A significant benefit exists for a jejunal replacement of the cervical esophagus, if indicated. The absence of available recipient vessels may impede free tissue transfer. If vascular induction between a vascular carrier and the selected jejunal segment is done as a kind of flap prefabrication, the jejunal interposition flap can be used without the need for complex microsurgery.     

Simultaneous reconstruction of cervical soft tissue and esophagus with a gastro-omental free flap

A microvascular transfer of gastric tube and omentum was used to simultaneously reconstruct cervical soft-tissue and esophageal defects in five patients. All patients had previous high-dose radiation and multiple flap reconstructions. The largest esophageal and soft-tissue defects were 10 cm and 160 cm2, respectively. All wounds healed primarily except for one orocutaneous fistula. There was one death from an intraoperative stroke. The gastro-omental flap is useful in cases where the reconstructive surgeon is faced with both esophageal and soft-tissue defects--particularly in heavily irradiated patients who have few reconstructive options.     

Patch esophagoplasty with free forearm flap for focal stricture of the pharyngoesophageal junction and the cervical esophagus.

Focal stricture of the cervical esophagus can be caused by corrosive injury or irradiation or following esophageal reconstruction. For severe stricture that cannot be relieved by bougie dilatation, surgical correction should be done. Among the operations performed, the myocutaneous flap is considered the first choice. Patch esophagoplasty with a free flap is indicated in the following situations: (1) when the patient is a young woman, (2) when the patient is obese, and (3) following irradiation that renders myocutaneous flaps unreliable. For correction of focal stricture of the cervical esophagus, six patients underwent esophagoplasty with a patch of free forearm flap. In comparison with other methods, this approach is associated with less morbidity and a better aesthetic result. The patients started oral intake at 1 month. Only one patient had minor leakage, and this healed after conservative treatment. The skin patch inserted in the esophageal wall caused no problem in motility, and the patients could eat smoothly after surgery.     

A reliable method for monitoring the microvascular patency of free jejunal transfers in reconstructing the pharynx and cervical esophagus

Reconstruction of the pharynx and esophagus with revascularized segments of jejunum remains a time-proven entity. Most thromboses and subsequent flap failures have occurred within the first 24 hours after revascularization of the flap. What would therefore be desirable is a safe, proven monitoring system to assess the patency of the microvascular anastomoses and subsequent viability of the transferred bowel segment. This paper reports on such a monitoring system, which involves the creation of a surgical window on the anterior cervical flap. The jejunal serosa is tacked to this window, and a thin split-thickness skin graft is placed directly on the bowel. The technique is simple, safe, efficacious, and leaves no significant defect.     

Electric activity of striated muscles of the cervical part of the rabbit esophagus under conditions of hunger, food intake and satiation

The experiments of free-moving rabbits have shown that the muscles of the proximal zone in the esophageal cervical part functions as the superior esophageal sphincter. In hunger stage the motor unit activity of the sphincter has regular low-amplitude discharge with monomodal distribution of interspike intervals. The process of food satisfaction leads to the appearance of burst-like unit activity with bimodal distribution of interspike intervals. During the food intake reorganization of the motor unit activity of the esophageal cervical part is manifested in characteristic patterns of interspike interval distribution.     

Eicosanoids and the esophagus

Eicosanoids are products of arachidonic acid metabolism. Among the products produced are the prostaglandins and leukotrienes, products which are known to play important roles in health and disease of many gastrointestinal tissues. Here, we review current knowledge about eicosanoids in the esophagus, including production in healthy and diseased tissues and potential physiologic and pathophysiologic effects in two important esophageal mucosal disorders, reflux esophagitis and esophageal cancer.     

Pepsin and the esophagus

Esophagitis results from excessive exposure of the esophagus to gastric juice through an ineffective or dysfunctional lower esophageal sphincter mechanism. A possible role of pepsin in damaging the esophageal mucosa with consequent esophagitis may be examined directly by testing pepsin under various conditions in experimental models of esophagitis. Since gastric juice contains both acid and pepsin, all experiments examine separately effects of perfusion of the esophagus by acid without and with pepsin in various combinations. Acid perfusion alone at concentrations represented by pH 1.3 or above does not produce esophagitis. The addition of pepsin to acid between pH 1 and 3.5 causes considerable acute esophageal damage. Outside the proteolytic range, i.e., higher than pH 3.5, pepsin does not damage the esophagus. The damage caused by acidified pepsin may be made much worse by the further addition of aspirin or other NSAIDs, presumably by further breaking down mucosal barriers.