• Journal of Chest Surgery
• /
• v.27 no.2
• /
• pp.140-147
• /
• 1994

Reconstruction of the pharynx and cervical esophagus presents a tremendous challenges to surgeons. Over the past 2 years[1990, Dec.-1993, Jun], the free jejunal graft has been performed in 17 cases in Korea Cancer Center Hospital.The indications of this procedures were almost malignant neoplasms involving neck and upper aero-digestive tract; Hypopharyngeal cancer[12 cases, including 2 recurrent cases], laryngeal cancer[2 cases], thyroid cancer[2 cases, including 1 recurrent case], cervical esophageal cancer[1 case]. There were fifteen men and two women, and the mean age was 59.6 years. The anastomosis site of jejunal artery were common carotid artery[16 cases] or external carotid artery[1 case] and that of jejunal vein were internal jegular [15 cases] or facial[1 case] and superior thyroid vein[1 case]. The length of jejunal graft was from 9 cm to 17 cm[mean 13 cm] and the mean ischemic time was 68 minutes. There was one hospital mortality which was irrelevant to procedures[variceal bleeding] and one graft failure[1/16]. Other postoperative complications were neck bleeding or hematoma[3 cases], abdominal wound infection or disruption[5 cases], anastomosis site leakage[1 case], pneumonia[2 cases], graft vein thrombosis[1 case], and food aspiration[1 case]. The function of conduit was excellent and ingestion of food was possible in nearly all cases. Postoperative adjuvant radiation therapy was also applicable without problem in 7 cases. During follow-up periods, the anastomosis site stenosis developed in four patients, and the tracheal stoma was narrowed in one case but easily overcome with dilation. In conclusion, we think that the free jejunal graft is one of the excellent reconstruction methods of upper digestive tract, especially after radical resection of malignant neoplasm in neck with a high success rate and low mortality and morbidity rate.

• Journal of Gastric Cancer
• /
• v.15 no.2
• /
• pp.143-146
• /
• 2015

Sarcomatoid carcinoma of the small intestine is rare, and only 30 cases have been reported to date. This disease generally exhibits a very poor prognosis. Here we report the case of a 67-year-old man with a sarcomatoid carcinoma in the jejunum, who was hospitalized for diarrhea, fever, nausea, and vomiting. The tumor was located at the jejunum and had a large round shape with geographic necrosis. It involved the entire wall of the small intestine and had directly invaded the neighboring sigmoid colon. Both lobes of the liver had multiple metastases. The patient underwent surgical resection of the jejunum. On immunohistochemical analysis, the tumor was positive for epithelial and mesenchymal markers. The patient died from rapid progression of the liver metastases 6 weeks after the surgery.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
• /
• v.53 no.4
• /
• pp.211-216
• /
• 2020

Esophageal fistulas may occur in an advanced stage or as a potentially life-threatening complication of treatment. They can be divided into esophageal-respiratory and esophageal-aorta fistulas. The diagnosis is confirmed with fluoroscopy using dilute barium oral contrast, followed by thin-section computed tomography, which defines the precise location and extent of the fistula. Flexible esophagoscopy and bronchoscopy are required for confirmation and anatomic assessment of the suspected fistula and provide additional information for treatment planning. Contamination is traditionally controlled by surgical exclusion, along with a jejunal feeding tube. Currently, fully covered self-expanding metal stents are the primary treatment option.

• Archives of Craniofacial Surgery
• /
• v.20 no.2
• /
• pp.134-138
• /
• 2019

Colon interposition is commonly used for esophageal reconstruction in patients with a previous gastrectomy. However, when colon interposition fails and alternative reconstruction is required, there are few options for reconstructing the long segment from the esophagus to the stomach. Here, we report on cases of esophagogastric reconstruction with limited alternative options after the failure of transverse and left colon interposition. In these cases, reconstruction was performed using two different microvascular methods: double-pedicle jejunal free flap and supercharged ileocolic interposition graft.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
• /
• v.38 no.11 s.256
• /
• pp.791-794
• /
• 2005

After esophagectomy, the stomach is used most commonly for the method of reconstruction. However, the stomach may not be large enough to be reached the site of anastomosis when it is above the pharynx. We experienced a double primary cancer of the lower esophagus and the larynx. Total laryngectomy and total esophagectomy were done with cervical pharyngojejunogastrostomy for reconstruction. Free jejunal graft is interposed between the oropharyngeal stump and the stomach is pulled-up. We could restore the alimentary track without tension at the anastomotic site and obtain sufficient blood supply.

• Journal of Gastric Cancer
• /
• v.18 no.1
• /
• pp.37-47
• /
• 2018

Purpose: The endoscopic management of a fully covered self-expandable metal stent (SEMS) has been suggested for the primary treatment of patients with anastomotic leaks after total gastrectomy. Embedded stents due to tissue ingrowth and migration are the main obstacles in endoscopic stent management. Materials and Methods: The effectiveness and safety of endoscopic management were evaluated for anastomotic leaks when using a benign fully covered SEMS with an anchoring thread and thick silicone covering the membrane to prevent stent embedding and migration. We retrospectively reviewed the data of 14 consecutive patients with gastric cancer and anastomotic leaks after total gastrectomy treated from January 2009 to December 2016. Results: The technical success rate of endoscopic stent replacement was 100%, and the rate of complete leaks closure was 85.7% (n=12). The mean size of leaks was 13.1 mm (range, 3-30 mm). The time interval from operation to stent replacement was 10.7 days (range, 3-35 days) and the interval from stent replacement to extraction was 32.3 days (range, 18-49 days). The complication rate was 14.1%, and included a single jejunal ulcer and delayed stricture at the site of leakage. No embedded stent or migration occurred. Two patients died due to progression of pneumonia and septic shock 2 weeks after stent replacement. Conclusions: A benign fully covered SEMS with an anchoring thread and thick membrane is an effective and safe stent in patients with anastomotic leaks after total gastrectomy. The novelty of this stent is that it provides complete prevention of stent migration and embedding, compared with conventional fully covered SEMS.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
• /
• v.41 no.2
• /
• pp.253-259
• /
• 2008

Background: The incidence of cervical esophageal cancer is low compared with that of thoracic esophageal cancer, and the role of surgery for cervical esophageal cancer is limited compared with that of radiotherapy or chemotherapy. This study was carried out to determine the outcome of surgery for cervical esophageal cancer. Material and Method: We analyzed retrospectively medical records of 43 patients who had undergone curative surgical resection for cervical esophageal cancer from January 1989 to December 2002. Follow-up loss was absent and the last follow-up was carried out in February 28, 2004. Result: The mean age was 60 years old and the male to female ratio was 40:3. Histologic types were squamous cell carcinoma 42 patients and malignant melanoma 1 patient. The methods used for esophageal reconstruction were gastric pull-up 32 patients, free jejunal graft 7 patients and colon interposition 4 patients. Postoperative complications occurred in 31 patients (72%), and operative mortality occurred in 7 patients (16%). Pathologic stages were I 3, IIa 14, IIb 1, III 19, and IVa 6 patients. Tumor recurrence occurred in 16 patients (44%), and the 3 and 5-year survival rates were 29.3% and 20.9%. Conclusion: The reported surgical results for cervical esophageal cancer showed somewhat high operative mortality, postoperative complication rates and recurrence rates and a low long-term survival rate. It is suggested that multimodality treatment including surgery is needed for the treatment of cervical esophageal cancer because radiotherapy or chemotherapy without surgery could not relieve dysphagia or resolve the tumor completely.