RESUMO
Objective: Gastric pull-up is a common procedure to reconstruct the continuity of the upper digestive tract after esophagectomy. However, this technique sometimes causes postoperative anastomotic leakage or stricture, resulting from congestion of the gastric tube. We performed additional microvascular venous anastomoses to solve this problem. The purpose of this study was to compare postoperative anastomotic leaks and strictures in cases with or without additional venous superdrainage after gastric tube reconstruction. Methods: A total of 117 consecutive patients with cervical and thoracic esophageal cancer who underwent thoracoscopic esophagectomy with gastric tube reconstruction in the National Nagasaki Medical Center between 2011 and 2021 were analyzed retrospectively. Of these patients, 46 did not undergo additional venous anastomoses (standard group), and 71 who underwent gastric pull-up surgery after November 2014 have added this surgical procedure to their routine (superdrainage group). We compared the frequency of postsurgical leakage and stricture in the 2 groups retrospectively. Results: Fifteen patients (32.6%) developed postoperative leakage in the standard group and 6 (8.5%) did so in the superdrainage group. Twelve patients (26.1%) showed postoperative anastomotic stricture in the standard group and 7 (9.9%) did so in the superdrainage group. Patients who did not undergo additional venous superdrainage were significantly more likely to develop postsurgical leakage (χ2 test P < .01) and anastomotic stricture (χ2 test P < .05). The mean time taken to perform additional venous anastomoses was 54.2 minutes. Conclusions: Our study revealed that performing additional venous anastomosis for as little as 1 hour can significantly reduce the incidence of postoperative leakage and stenosis. This procedure is of merit to perform after total esophagectomy with gastric tube reconstruction.
RESUMO
One of the most common complications of total auricular reconstruction is exposure of the ear framework. Various reconstruction methods have been reported depending on the location and size of exposed cartilage. This report describes a safe reconstruction method for each exposed part of the grafted ear framework. From January 2019 to August 2021, 2 cases (4 areas) of framework exposure were observed following autologous microtia reconstruction. The first case developed 2 small areas of skin necrosis on the anterior helix and lower antihelix to concha. The former was reconstructed with a temporal fascia flap and the latter with a local transposition flap. The second case also developed 2 small areas of skin necrosis on the posterior helix and lower antihelix to concha. The former was sutured directly and the latter with a local transposition flap. However, both wounds recurred due to flap necrosis and the cartilage was exposed again. The 3rd operation was performed by covering both wounds with a posterior auricular turnover flap and skin graft. In both cases, the exposed framework was completely covered with the flaps, and the reconstructed ears showed well-defined convolutions. Covering exposed cartilage with a local flap with a random pattern of blood circulation is convenient because no additional skin grafts are required. However, the blood circulation of the flaps is inadequate when an elongated flap is required; consequently, flap necrosis may occur. On the other hand, a temporal fascia flap and posterior auricular flap, which have axillary pattern blood circulation, are considered to be safer. We believe that it is safe to use a temporal fascia flap for cartilage exposure in the upper half of the auricle, and a posterior auricular turnover flap for the lower half.