[Free intestinal grafts for oesophageal reconstruction: indications, technics and results].

Autotransplantation of intestinal segments for oesophageal reconstruction using microsurgical techniques has been reported in the literature in 137 patients. In 8 patients (5.8%) arterial thrombosis occurred, necessitating removal of the transplant in 6 patients (4.4%); two of them (1.5%) died of sepsis. Altogether 6 patients (4.4%) died postoperatively. Salivary fistulae are reported in 15 patients (10.9%) and these usually resolved spontaneously. This technique seems satisfactory for the reconstruction of oesophageal defects in patients with recurrent cancer in whom the classical procedures are no longer feasible.