Late complications of coloesophagoplasty and long-term features of adaptation.

OBJECTIVES: Revisional surgery of late complications after 141 substernal by-pass operations (1962-1990), except three cases with isoperistaltic (except seven with anisoperistaltic) transverse colon grafts for caustic esophageal strictures, are presented. Long-term adaptation of the grafts was investigated with cineradiographical and histochemical methods. METHODS: Correction of the "pseudodiverticulum" of the proximal anastomosis as a complication of the standard by-pass procedure (in five patients) was achieved by closure of the esophagus below the anastomosis or by end-to-end reanastomosis. Cervical anastomosis stricture (in seven) was solved either by plasty or resection and a similar reanastomosis. Delayed passage due to an intra-abdominal redundant graft (in five) was managed by abdominal shortening coloplication or by side-to-side gastrocolostomy. Late pyloric obstruction as a cause of gastrocolic reflux required pyloroplasty in two instances. Mixed barium-bread bolus for a cineradiographical transit study and periodic acid Schiff reaction plus Alcian Blue staining for a mucopolysaccharide search were used 8 years after the operations. RESULTS: In all but one case, redo surgery was successful. Characteristic coordinated multihaustral propulsive movement developed in the distal colonic segment, playing a secondary but active role in the final phase of swallowing in isoperistaltic substitution. These grafts were free from gastrocolic reflux. Augmentation of neutral mucopolysaccharide was observed on the surface and in the Lieberkühn glands of colonic mucosa. CONCLUSIONS: This experience attests that the majority of late complications following colonic esophageal substitution may be corrected by revisional surgery. The predominantly automatic propulsive movements of the isoperistaltically interposed grafts seem to provide an effective antireflux barrier against the gastrocolic reflux if some technical requirements (high gastric anastomosis, good gastric drainage, etc.) are respected. The graft mucosa showed signs of a positive adaptation. The best functional results were achieved by isoperistaltically interposed left colic transplants, which may be considered as an ideal graft (both technically and functionally) in extensive caustic strictures.