• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.31 no.12
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• pp.1217-1221
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• 1998

Background: The advent of EEA stapler has lowered the leakage rate of esophagogastric anastomoses and thereby contributed to a decrease in the operative mortality of the easophageal resection. Recent surgical reports, however, have documented 10% to 20% prevalence of benign anastomotic stricture formation after the use of EEA stapler to construct an esophagogastric anastomosis. We analyzed the cases of anastomotic strictures to reduce the incidence of anastomotic strictures with EEA stapled esophagogastrostomy. Material and Method: EEA stapled esophagogastrostomy was performed in 195 parients during the period of over 11 years from Jan. 1986 to Dec. 1996 in Kosin Medical Center. Ten patients of them died in the early postoperative days. In the remaining 185 patients, we studied the incidence and the onset time of anastomotic strictures, relationship between the patients' ages, the anastomotic sites, and the size of the cartridges with incidence of anastomotic stricture. We also studied the method of treatment and its effect in the anastomotic strictures. Result: Benign anastomotic strictures occurred in 39 cases among 185 patients(21%), 25 cases(64.1%) of the 39 cases developed in one to three months postoperatively. The patients' ages and the anastomotic sites did not effect with the incidence of anastomotic stricture, but high incidence of anastomotic stricture in EEA stapled esophagogastrostomy(p=0.04)was observed in small cartridge sizes. One or two balloon dilatation(89%) relieved the anastomotic strictures. Conclusion: We conclude that a larger size cartridge is recommended in EEA stapled esophagogastrostomy to reduce the incidence of anastomotic stricture if possible, and one or two balloon dilatation would seem to be a safe and reliable method in treating anastomotic stricture when the anastomotic stricture was occurrs.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.36 no.1
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• pp.55-58
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• 2003

Although postanastomosis of esophageal reconstruction is rare but it is a very unwelcome complication. Previously, the problem was solved by balloon dilatation, reoperation, and feeding jejunostomy. However, balloon dilatation is not effective because of high recurrence rate, reoperation is difficult due to its operative approachableness and also jejunostomy is inconvenient for patients. Therefore, we inserted esophageal stent as a method of relieving postanastomosis stenosis, From Jan, 2001 to Dec, 2001, there were three patients with postanastomosis stenosis, who received esophageal stent insertion, one had case is benign esophageal stenosis, two had esophageal carcinoma. We followed up them over 12 months after inserting the stent, Dysphagia was improved, so we report that the clinical performance was satisfactory

• Journal of Gastric Cancer
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• v.4 no.4
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• pp.252-256
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• 2004

Purpose: Anastomosis site stricture is a common complication after a total gastrectomy. End-to-end anastomosis (EEA) stapler devices are preferred to a hand-sewn esophagojejunostomy these days. However, stapling devices have been reported not to reduce the incidence of esophagojejunostomy site stricture considerably. Materials and Methods: From Sep. 1998 to Dec. 2000, at Korea Gastic Cancer Center, Seoul Paik Hospital, Inje University, we experienced 228 total gastrectomies in which EEA stapling devices had been used. We investigated the correlation of the stricture with the size of the EEA stapling device, the type of esophagojejunal reconstruction, reflux esophagitis, and duration of stricture development. Results: Among the 228 cases, as far as the patient's age was concerned, the 7th decade was the most common 64 cases, followed by the 5th decades. The Male-to-female ratio was 2.3：1. A loop esophagojejunostomy was used in 223 cases, and the Roux-en-Y method was used in 5 cases. The 32 patients with anastomosis site stricture were patients with loop esophagojejunal anastomosis. Anastomosis site stricture occurred in $14\%$ (32/228) of the total gastrectomy cases, in$15.9\%$ (11/69) of the total gastrectomies involving stapler devices with a 25-mm diameter, and in $13.2\%$ (21/159) of the total gastrectomies involving staper devices with a 28-mm diameter. There was no correlation between the incidence of stricture and EEA- stapling device size (P>0.05). Reflux esophagitis occurred in 56 of the 228 cases, with 7 of those 56 cases ($12.5\%$) and 25 of the remaining 172 cases ($14.5\%$) having strictures. There was no considerable difference in the stricture incidence rate according to the presence of reflux esophagitis (P>0.05). The onset of stricture development, occurred within 6 months in 16 cases, including 4 cases of reflux esophagitis, between 7 and 18 months in 14 cases, including 3 cases of reflux eshophagitis, and after 19 months in 2 cases. Conclusion: An esophagojejunostomy site stricture after a total gastrectomy was not correlated with the esophagojejunal reconstruction type, the size of the stapling device, or the presence of reflux esophagitis. General anastomosis technical factors (e.g., adequate blood supply, tension-free manner, adequate hemostasis) may be more important to prevent anastomosis site stricture after an esophagojejunostomy during a total gastrectomy.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.37 no.7
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• pp.617-621
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• 2004

End-to-end anastomosis for benign esophageal stricture (BES) is technically easier and relatively lower in morbidity than esophago-enterostomy. We performed segmental resection and end-to-end anastomosis in 2 cases of short segmental BES who were failed repeated endoscopic dilatation. A 13-month-old female with postoperative stricture was treated successfully. However, a 27-year-old female with corrosive stricture required second operative management of esophago-colo-gastrostomy following end-to-end anastomosis. Our experiences suggested that end-to-end anastomosis for BES could be used as a valid procedure for well selected patients. However, further studty is needed to compare with esophago-enterostomy.

• Journal of Gastric Cancer
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• v.5 no.4 s.20
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• pp.246-251
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• 2005

Purpose: Benign anastomotic stricture after an esophagojejunostomy using EEA stapler following a radical total gastrectomy is one of the most serious complications. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the incidence risk factors, and treatment associated with benign stricture. Materials and Methods: From March 1998 to February 2001, 436 patients underwent an esophagojejunostomy with Roux-en-Y anastomosis using an EEA stapler followed by an endoscopy. Thirty three of the 436 patients(5.5%) developed an anastomotic stricture; included 24 of the 33 patients had a benign stricture. Nine patients with a malignant stricture were excluded. Results: The median age of the 436 patients was 57 years $(23{\sim}85\;years)$. Two hundred ninety two patients were male, and 144 patients were female. The median time to diagnosing the stricture was 1.5 months $(0.5{\sim}6months)$. There was no statistical significance in any of the risk factors, including the diameter of the stapling device, the status of adjuvant treatment, the status of reflux esophagitis, and a clinical history of diabetes and hypertension. The strictured patients were treated with balloon dilatation, one to three times, with symptom relief. Conclusion: There were no statistically significant risk factors. However, further study of the vascularity of anastomoses and benign strictures needs to be considered. In the anastomotic strictured patients endoscopic balloon dilatation appeared to be the first line of treatment.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.31 no.7
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• pp.711-717
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• 1998

Background: Although various anastomotic techniques and suture materials have been used in esophageal anastomosis, anastomotic leakage and stenosis are still somewhat frequent and serious complications when compared to other intestinal anastomoses. We have used interrupted single-layer suture technique using monofilament polypropylene suture in various esophageal anastomoses, including repair of the esophageal atresia, since 1990. Methods and method: We retrospectively evaluated the efficacy of this technique on postoperative leakage and stenosis in several esophageal reconstructions. The esophageal reconstructions using this technique were performed in 90 patients at Dong-A University Hospital from April 1990 through December 1996. Results: Anastomotic leakage occurred in 5 patients(5.6%) with one operative death. Stenosis at the anastomotic site occurred in 15 patients(n=86, 17.4%), which was most common in esophagogastrostomy(22%) and least common in esophagocolostomy (5%). This result was comparable to other methods including the autosuture technique. Conclusions: We concluded that this suture technique in esophageal anastomosis can be used with reasonable results in various esophageal reconstructions including correction of the esophageal atresia.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.32 no.9
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• pp.799-805
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• 1999

Background: Leakage, stricture formation, and tumor recurrence at the anastomotic site are serious problems after esophagectomy for cancer of the esophagus or cardia. The prevalence of these postoperative complications may be affected by whether an anastomosis is made in the neck or in the chest, therefore a comparison was made between anastomoses made at these two sites. Material and Method: Between 1987 and 1998, 36 patients with cancer of the esophagus underwent transthoracic esophagectomy with cervical(NA, n=20) or thoracic anastomosis(CA, n=16). The tumors were staged postoperatively(stage IIA, n=13; s tage IIB, n=7; stage III, n=16) and were located in the middle thoracic(n=22) or lower thoracic esophagus and cardia(n=14). Result: The overall operative mortality was 8.3%(5% for NA group, 12.5% for CA group). The anastomotic leak rate for the NA group was 15.0% and 12.5% for the CA group. The anastomotic leak rate differed according to the manual(27.3%) or stapled(8.0%) techniques(p < 0.05). The median proximal resection margins in the NA and CA groups were 9.6 cm and 5.8 cm, and the corresponding rates of anastomotic tumor recurrence were 5.3% and 28.6%(p < 0.05). The prevalence of benign stricture formation (defined as moderate/severe dysphagia) was higher in the NA group(36.8%) than in the CA group(21.4%). When an anastomosis was made by the stapled technique, smaller size of the staple increased the prevalence of stricture formation - 41.7% with 25-mm staple and 9.1% with 28-mm staple(p < 0.05). Conclusion: Wider resection margin could decrease the anastomotic tumor recurrence, and the stapled technique could decrease the anastomotic leak. The prevalence of benign stricture was higher in the cervical anastomosis but the anastomotic leak and smaller size(25-mm) of the staple should be considered as risk factors.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.194-197
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• 2001

부식성 물질에 의한 양성 식도 협착 환자에서 식도 확장술이 일반적으로 사용되는 술식이나 협착부위가 잔존하여 연하곤란이 발생하므로 식도 재건술이 이용된다. 식도재건술은 대용 식도로 위관, 대장관, 소장관이 이용하여 광범위한 박리, 여러 부위의 절개, 문합부 대용 식도 위치에 따른 문제점 및 협착된 식도를 잔존시킴으로 식도암 발생가능성이 있으며 식도 재건술후 식도 기능의 문제점이 많다. 이에 시고 기능에 이상을 초래하지 않으면서 합병증이 적고 수술하기 쉬운 방법이 요구된다. 저자는 식도 근층만을 절개하고 점막하층을 박리한 후 협착부 점막만 절제하고 점막 단단 문합함으로 좋은 결과를 얻었기에 증례와 더불어 수술 방법을 소개하고자 한다.

• Proceedings of the KOR-BRONCHOESO Conference
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• 1995.04a
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• pp.90.2-90
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• 1995

기관 협착증은 기관 삽관, 기관절개술 혹은 외상 등에 의해 주로 발생하고 드물게 종양이나 염증성 질환에 의해 생길 수 있다. 치료의 원칙은 정상 발성기능을 가진 충분한 기관강을 유지하는데 있으며 여러 치료방법 중 기관절제 및 단단문합술은 다른 방법이 실패하였거나 협착정도가 심한 경우에 시행할 수 있고, 정상기관강을 유지함으로써 해부, 생리학적으로 가장 이상적인 수술방법으로 알려져 있다. 저자들은 1990년부터 1994년까지 경부기관 8례, 경부 및 흉부기관을 동반한 기관협착증 1례에서 기관 절제 및 단단문합술을 실시하였다. 전례에서 suprahyoid release를 시행하였으며, 술중 가능한한 회귀신경은 확인하지 않았으며 술후 2일째 기관발거를 실시하였다. 합병증으로 술후 1례에서 일측성대마비가 있었으며 문합부 육아조직 형성이 2례가 있었으나 전례에서 성공적인 기관발거가 가능하였다.

• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.154-162
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• 1999

The laryngopharyngectomy for tumor ablation is the most common indication for pharyngoesophageal reconstruction in our country. Most of these cases are advanced laryngeal cancer that has spread beyond the larynx, pharynx and cervical esophagus. Such patients are obviously unable to breathe, swallow, or speak in the normal manner. The ideal reconstruction would restore normal anatomy, permitting patients to breathe and swallow without aspiration, and would not require a permanent tracheostomy. Reconstruction of the pharyngoesophageal defect traditionally been carried out with tubed local random flap, deltopectoral or musculocutaneous flap. Another approach is the pedicled enteric flap. But microsurgical reconstruction of the pharyngoesophagus, using either the free jejunal or the tubed radial forearm flap, have now become the preferred technique. Among them, we used jejunal free flap in 39 cases, tubed radial forearm free flap in 5 cases, patched radial forearm free flap in 2 cases and pectoralis major myocutaneous island flap in 2 cases from December 1990 to Febrary 1999. In this paper we illustrated that both forearm and jejunal free flap is a usful alternative in reconstruction of hypopharynx and cervical esophagus.