Clinical and pathophysiological evaluation of esophageal and reconstruction using gastric tube and pedicled colon segment.

Pathophysiological and nutritional conditions were compared after esophageal reconstruction in 15 patients with a gastric tube and in 12 patients with a pedicled colon segment for the treatment of esophageal cancer. There was no significant difference in the postoperative nutritional index, iron and vitamin B12 metabolisms. On the other hand, the long gastric tube from the greater curvature of the stomach used as an esophageal substitute retained some secretory functions of both exocrine and endocrine although the effect of truncal vagotomy may have to be taken into consideration.