Mesenteric-cervical vascular anastomosis as an adjunct to oesophageal bypass surgery for carcinoma.

Dysphagia is the most disabling symptom for patients with carcinoma of the oesophagus. Bowel segment bypass surgery offers satisfactory relief, but is often complicated by anastomotic leakage with its associated high mortality. Poor vascular perfusion of the cervical end of a bypass segment is an important cause of breakdown and leakage. A technique of cervical-mesenteric vascular anastomosis to improve the blood supply of the bypass is described and a case is reported.