Reconstruction of Hypopharynx and Cervical Esophagus Using Reversed Gastric Tube Procedure / 대한이비인후과학회지

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Among various reconstructive methods of hypopharynx and esophagus, stomachs are widely used in total esophagectomized cases. Reversed gastric tube procedure is different from gastric transposition (gastric pull-up) and the procedure was rarely reported. Present study was undertaken to evaluate the complications and results of reversed gastric tube procedure. MAERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective analysis was carried out on the results of reversed gastric tube procedure for the reconstruction of pharynx and esophagus at Inha University Hospital from June 1996 to January 1998. Reversed gastric tube procedure was performed in six patients ; three patients with hypopharyngeal cancer, two patients with thyroid cancer and one patient with esophageal cancer. RESULTS: The success rate of the transferred gastric tube was 100%. Most common complication was pulmonary complication which was treated conservatively. There was no other serious complications. Oral feeding was well tolerated within two weeks by all except for one patient in whom intestinal obstruction occurred. One thyroid cancer patient who received manubriosternotomy and upper mediastinal dissection died 6 days following the surgey because of great vessel hemorrhage in the mediastinum. CONCLUSION: We concluded that the reversed gastric tube procedure was a safe method of reconstruction for patients with extensive tumors involving the cervical esophagus and requiring total esophagectomy.