Colon interposition for pharyngoesophageal postcorrosive strictures.

BACKGROUND/AIM: Aim of this paper is to report a 40 years experience in performing colon interposition for pharyngoesophageal caustic injury.

METHODOLOGY

In the period between 1965 and 2005, 83 colon interpositions were performed due to the pharyngeal and high esopahageal injuries. Patients were classified according to the uppermost level of stricture in 3 groups: supraglotic, hypopharyngeal and esophageal ostium. In most of the patients (89.1%) an extrapleural retrosternal by-pass colon interposition was performed, while in the remaining 10.9% a colon interposition with esophagectomy had to be done. Long-term follow-up results were obtained in the period between one and up to 30 years.

RESULTS

Early postoperative complications occurred in 16.8% of patients, among which anastomotic leakage was the most common. Overall intrahospital mortality rate was 6%, while late postoperative complications were present in 14.4% of patients. Long-term follow-up was obtained in 84.2% of patients, with excellent functional results being present in 86.7% of them.

CONCLUSION

Colon graft is an excellent esophageal substitute for patients with pharyngoesophageal corrosive strictures, and used by experienced surgical team it provides low postoperative morbidity as well as mortality rate, and a long time good and functional quality of life.