The role of the greater omentum in intrathoracic transposition.

This review shows that the application of pedicled omental flaps or gastro-omental grafts with microvascular connection to the recipient is a reliable and safe means of reconstructing and protecting esophageal, pharyngeal and soft tissue defects and in problems related to sepsis. It has shown its usefulness in those patients who had high-dose radiation with tissue damage, in whom reconstruction otherwise would have required multiple stages or multiple flaps, or in whom other reconstructive options have failed. With the increasing use of radio- and chemotherapy as the treatment for various types of cancer, surgeons and radiotherapists are required to cope with the complications of this therapy. They should become familiar with the usefulness of the omentum in difficult problems. Despite the fact that omental transposition is usually undertaken in risky situations and in patients with poor health conditions, this technique is associated with a remarkably low morbidity and mortality.