Pharyngocolonic Anastomosis for Esophageal Reconstruction in Corrosive Esophageal Stricture

Background The aim of our study is to observe the outcome of pharyngocolonic anastomosis in esophageal reconstruction for diffuse corrosive esophageal stricture involving hypopharynx. Methods This is a retrospective report of the experience and results of 14 patients undergoing esophageal reconstruction with pharyngocolonic anastomosis without resection of the strictured intrathoracic esophagus. The left colonic segment was pulled up to the neck through the substernal space in all patients. Results There was no operative or hospital death. Postoperative complications included cervical anastomotic leakage in 4 patients, rupture of abdominal incision in 1 patient, and aspiration pneumonia in 2 patients. The length of follow-up ranged from half a year to 10 years, with an average of 4 years. Anastomotic stenosis occurred in 2 patients. One patient was improved after dilatation and the other was relieved by plastic operation. One patient began to have vomiting after meals 7 months after surgery and was found to have redundant abdominal colon graft, which was corrected with a side-to-side anastomosis between the colon and the stomach. Conclusions A successful reconstruction for hypopharyngoesophageal stricture requires a sufficiently large hypopharyngocolonic anastomosis and a technique of good anastomosis. From our experience, this procedure is shown to be safe and effective.