Tubularized Gastric Conduit is More Desirable in Pediatric Patients Treated with Minimally Invasive Esophagectomy and Gastric Pull-Up.

INTRODUCTION

Conditions requiring an esophagectomy and esophageal replacement are rare in children. The preferred method and ideal replacement organ continue to be debated. We present long-term outcomes in children treated with esophagectomy and gastric pull-up.

METHODS

We conducted a retrospective review of all the patients who underwent a esophagectomy and gastric pull-up at two major pediatric institutions from 2004 to 2015. Follow-up data were obtained for children when available, including any postoperative complications, need for dilation of strictures, and current feeding method.

RESULTS

Minimally invasive procedures were performed on 7 patients (5 female and 2 male) with a median age of 3 years (range 2-20, standard deviation = 8). Three patients successfully underwent laparoscopic transhiatal esophagectomy and cervical gastric pull-up, and three patients successfully underwent combined laparoscopic and right thoracoscopic (Ivor-Lewis) esophagectomy and cervical gastric pull-up. We identified an additional 3 patients who had an open esophagectomy and gastric pull-up. Seven patients had tubularized gastric conduits, six without pyloroplasty and one with pyloroplasty. For those patients with tubularized conduits, the average time to achieve full oral feeds was 16 days, with 1 patient with pyloroplasty who took 27 days. Of the three whole-stomach conduits, one reached oral independence at 19 days and the other two had yet tolerated anything per os. Follow-up data were available for all patients. At the average 5 years follow-up (ranging from 1 month to 7 years), all but two were thriving well with full oral feeds.

CONCLUSIONS

Minimally invasive esophagectomy and gastric pull-up is a good alternative in managing pediatric patients in need of esophagectomy and replacement; it offers acceptable early and long-term outcomes. Tubularized conduit appears to be superior to using the whole stomach and potentially avoids pyloroplasty. Ongoing study is needed to validate our findings.