• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.99-105
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• 1996

The reconstruction of esophageal defect after ablative surgery have more difficult than other digestive tract tumor because the restoration of anatomical and physiologic function is difficult, the risk of tumor invasion into the adjacent tissue is large. The reconstruction of cervical esophus was depended on the degree of resection of the esophagus, various reconstruction method was developed to minimize functional deficiency and deformity of cervical region. Recently, the free jejunal transfer or free radial forearm flap was commonly utilized for esophageal reconstruction due to development of technique of the microvascular anastomosis. After the esophageal reconstruction used by free jejunal transfer was reported by Seidenberg in 1951, jejunum is most commonly used for reconstruction of esophgus. Becaue of, it have been tubed anatomical similarity with muscular layer, relative small risk of complication, possible of oral intake within 10 days after operation, and early rehabilitaion. Authors have been treated esophageal defect with free jejunal transfer in 7 patients after resection of lesion in 6 eshageal cancer and 1 esophageal stricture from December 1994 to January 1996. We were transferred jejunum used by intercostal artery as recipient artery in 3 cases, it was satisfied with results. If intercostal artery was utilized as recipient artery for free jejunal transfer, we believe that any site of intrathoracic or intraabdominal esophageal defect is possible to recontruction.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.34 no.11
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• pp.843-847
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• 2001

Background: Replacement of the esophagus remains a challenge for surgeons involved in esophageal disease. From 1996 to 1999, a total of 27 patients with esophageal cancer underwent free jejunal transfer(12cases) or esophagogastrostomy(15cases). To determine the results such as leakage of anastomosis site, stenosis, reflux esophagitis and operation time, respiratory complications, etc. we reviewed the 4 years experiences. Material and method: Palliative bypass surgery or esophageal prosthesis and cancers of the pharyngoesophageal or esophagogastric junction were excluded in this study. Resection was usually peformed through right thoracotomy and anastomosis was made with EEA staplers in esophagogas-trstomy. In cases of jejunal free transfer, 6cases of proximal esophagojejunostomy were stapled anastomosed and remaining 6 cases and all distal site were hand-sewn anastomosed. All reconstruction was done through posteromediastinal route. Result: There were two mortalities from thoracic esophagogastrostomy and one from jeunal free transfer. Major and minor complications(anastomosis site leakage: 3 cases, graft failure: 2cases etc) occurred in 27 cases. In 15 thoracic esophagogastrostomy cases, 11 patients had mild to moderate reflux esophagitis and 5 patients incurred stricture of the anastomosis. Operation time was about 550$\pm$280 minutes in jejunal free transfer, and about 300$\pm$ 160 minutes in esophagogastromy patients. Conclusion: Post operative reflux esophagitis and dysphagia were more frequent in Ivor-Lewis operation group than jejunal free transfer group; however, respiratory complications and operation time were significantly longer in jejunal (roe transfer group(p<0.05). To minimize the incidence of postoperative reflux esophagitis and dysphagia, patient evaluation focused on jejunal free transfer surgery is better than esophagogastrostomy followed by adequate post operative care.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.29 no.12
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• pp.1392-1397
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• 1996

Over the past two years the free jejunal transfer have been used in 7 consecutive patients to restore alimentary tract continuity artier the resection of esophagus. Six patients had squamous cell carcinomas and one had esophageal stricture . The patients underwent partial esophagectomy with modified radicAl neck dissection or mediastinal Iymph node dissection. The microvascular anastomosis was performed to the neck vessels in 4 patients and to the in ercostal vessels in 3 patients. Postoperative complications were graft necrosis in one patient, and a temporary anastomotic leakage with spontaneous closure in one patient. Reconstruction of the esophagus was successful in 6 of 7 patients. We emphasize that esophagectomy followed by transplantation of a free jejunal transfer is suitable for esophageal carcinoma or intractable esophageal stricture, and involvement of the midesophagus is not a contraindication to the use of the free Jejunal transfer.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.24 no.5
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• pp.515-521
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• 1991

Since Carrel in 1907 reported transfer of a free jejunal segment in dog, reconstruction of the cervical esophagus and hypopharynx has been accomplished successfully with free jejunal transplantation using microvascular technique. Free jejunal graft is useful in cases of failed colonic interpositions. Three patients with benign esophageal stricture had undergone reconstruction with right colon interposition. Because of necrosis and stricture of the interposed colon, in each case the defect was reconstructed with a free jejunal graft by using microvascular technique. The postoperative course in two patients was uncomplicated, and they were able to eat general diet. Graft necrosis occurred in one patient, but she is waiting for a reoperation.

• Archives of Craniofacial Surgery
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.105-113
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• 2015

The main challenge in pharyngoesophageal reconstruction is the restoration of swallow and speech functions. The aim of this paper is to review the reconstructive options and associated complications for patients with head and neck cancer. A literature review was performed for pharynoesophagus reconstruction after ablative surgery of head and neck cancer for studies published between January 1980 to July 2015 and listed in the PubMed database. Search queries were made using a combination of 'esophagus' and 'free flap', 'microsurgical', or 'free tissue transfer'. The search query resulted in 123 studies, of which 33 studies were full text publications that met inclusion criteria. Further review into the reference of these 33 studies resulted in 15 additional studies to be included. The pharyngoesophagus reconstruction should be individualized for each patient and clinical context. Fasciocutaneous free flap and pedicled flap are effective for partial phayngoesophageal defect. Fasciocutaneous free flap and jejunal free flap are effective for circumferential defect. Pedicled flaps remain a safe option in the context of high surgical risk patients, presence of fistula. Among free flaps, anterolateral thigh free flap and jejunal free flap were associated with superior outcomes, when compared with radial forearm free flap. Speech function is reported to be better for the fasciocutaneous free flap than for the jejunal free flap.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.245-248
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• 2006

Besides gastric pull-up or colonic interposition, microvascular technique in esophageal reconstruction has been approved reliable methods. When free intestinal transfer is considered, jejunal free flap is commonly used. We treated the patient who had undergone reconstruction with a right colon interposition and suffered from inability of swallowing because of stricture and necrosis of the interposed flap. Although we have planned jejunal free transfer, we couldn't use jejunum due to adhesion by previous gastrojejunostomy and colon interposition. Salvage procedure with microvascualr free left colon flap was executed successfully. After 9 month follow-up, the patient was able to consume a normal diet.

• Korean Journal of Head & Neck Oncology
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.26-32
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• 2000

Background and Objectives: Various flaps are using for reconstruction of hypopharyngeal and esophageal defect. However, complication and indication of each flap are not fully analyzed. Patient and Methods: Records of 52 hypopharyngeal cancer patients who had surgical treatment and 13 other head and neck cancer patients who underwent hypopharyngeal and/or esophageal reconstruction with flap were retrospectively analyzed. Eighty three percent(54 cases) of patients needed reconstruction other than primary pharyngeal closure. Five split thickness skin graft, 1 pectoralis major myocutaneous flap, 20 forearm free flap, 13 jejunal free flap, 15 gastric pull up were used. Result: Flap failure was noted in 2 cases who had subsequent gastric transposition. Wound dehiscence and fistula were most common problem of forearm free flap. Most fistulas were developed in patients with conduit type reconstruction of forearm flap while there wasn't any fistula in patient with patch type reconstruction. Stenosis of lower anastomosis was the frequent problem of jejunal transfer. Gastric pull-up has frequent com-plication of stomal stenosis. All but three patients had reached oral feeding postoperatively. Conclusion: Based on this study, forearm flap is effective in partial hypopharyngeal defect while jejunum is the choice for circumferential defect. Gastric pull-up is for combined esophageal defect.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.25 no.11
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• pp.1225-1230
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• 1992

Reconstructive surgical procedures for hypopharyngeal and cervical esophageal defects have still a lot of technical defficulties and varieties to be performed as a optimal treatment according to the clinical situation patient faced. We have experienced a case of successful reconstruction of cervical esophageal defect, which was resulted from graft failure of free jejunal transfer in 43 year old male with eso-phagocutaneous fistula, using free fasciocutaneous dorsalis pedis flap. This article describes the review of our case and literature relevant the reconstructive maneuvers of cervical esophageal defects.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.47 no.2
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• pp.178-181
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• 2020

In this report, we present a case in which good results were achieved by treatment using a free jejunal patch graft with virtual endoscopy (VE) assistance in a patient whose swallowing had failed to improve for 40 years after he mistakenly swallowed sulfuric acid, despite pectoralis major myocutaneous flap grafting and frequent balloon dilatation surgery. During the last 20 years, virtual computed tomography imaging has improved remarkably and continues to be used to address new challenges. For reconstructive surgeons, the greatest advantage of VE is that it is a noninvasive modality capable of visualizing areas inaccessible to a flexible endoscope. Using VE findings, we were able to visualize the 3-dimensional shape beyond the stenosis. VE can also help predict the area of the defect after contracture release.

• Maxillofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.113-121
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• 1994

Large oral defects following tumor resection pose formidable challenge for the reconstructive surgeon. Ideally, wound closure should utilize like tissue in providing expedient, single-stage closure, returning maximum function while minimizing deformity. Recent methods have reported and utilize variable mucocutaneous flaps. However, the ideal reconstruction has yet to defined. The small bowel serves as a readily available donor site for satisfying reconstructive needs in oropharyngeoesophageal defects. Segments of jejunum may be opened along the antimesenteric border and transferred to oral defect as free tissue transfers. Some of the benefits of this technique have included a one-stage procedure, abundant donor tissue with characteristics similar to oral mucosa, near normal facial appearance, preservation of maximum tongue function and relief of annoying xerostomia by jejunal mucous secretion. Three cases re presented in which two cases show successful use of this flap. The other one patient developed total necrosis of this flap. We report cases of reconstruction using free jejunal flap transfer in oral reconstruction.