The reversed gastric tube revisited: a useful esophageal replacement for benign disease

ABSTRACT

Although spaning long esophageal defects using a reversed tube of the greater curvature has been available for nearly a century, frequent complications relegated the method to the shelf for much of the period. This revists the technique in the modern setting. The esophagus, plus or minus, the pharynx was replaced in 80 patientes using a revrsed gastric tube. Patientes with cancer were excluded. Sixty-five had caustic stenosis, including 44 patients with acute perforation and 15 with burns of the pharymx and stomach. Follow-up was two months to 15 yars. Using criteria suggested by Visick et al, 44 patients ( 58.6 por cento ) had no Symptoms; 20 ( 26.6 por cento ) had mild complaints, and eight individuals ( 10.6 por cento ) had frequent or severe symptoms. The operation itseft caused three deaths ( 3.7 por cento ). A reversed gastric tube can safely replace the entire esophagus and pharynx. With 85.2 por cento of 75 patients evaluated showing good to excellent results and hospital mortality of 3.7 por cento. We believe this operation can take its place alongside of other established techniques