Gastric tube interpostion: a satisfactory alternative to the colon for esophageal replacement in children.

The gastric tube was used as the primary method of esophageal reconstruction in 15 infants and children, 9 with isolated esophageal atresia and 6 with lye stricture. The youngest patient was 8 months old and the oldest, 5 years old at the time of the procedure. The technique of gastric tube construction is described. There have been both major and minor complications but the gastric tube has proved very satisfactory as a conduit from mouth to stomach. Growth and development have been acceptable in all 15 children, although most remain in the lower percentiles for growth and height, a condition that usually predates the esophageal substitution. In our institution the gastric tube is the preferred method of esophageal substitution.