Colonic Esophageal Reconstruction by Substernal Approach for Caustic Stricture: What is the Impact of the Enlargement of the Thoracic Inlet on Cervical Anastomotic Leakage

Background: The two most commonly employed options for esophageal reconstruction are the posterior mediastinal route and the substernal route. Therefore, the biggest disadvantage of the retrosternal approach is the potential risk for compression of the graft at the site of the thoracic inlet. The purpose of this study is to report our results by analysing the impact of the enlargement of the thoracic inlet by removing the left half of manubrium and internal third of clavicle on the cervical anastomotic leakage. Methods: From 2005 to 2013, 82 left colonic interpositions for oesophageal caustic stricture were performed at our institution. There were 70 women and 12 men. Ten patients had a hypopharyngeal stricture that required also reconstructive surgery. Dilation was done in 56 patients. Results: An esophagocolic anastomosis was performed in 72 patients. A gastroenteroanastomosis was performed before reconstruction in 10 patients. A pharyngoplasty was associated in 10 patients. The thoracic inlet was enlarged in 35 patients .The colonic graft was anastomosed to the posterior surface of the stomach in 69 patients. The mortality rate was 2.43 %. Graft necrosis occurred in two patients. Cervical leakage was occurred in 25 patients. Eight patients developed a cervical stricture. statistical analysis revealed that the non-enlargement of the thoracic inlet was a predictive factor of cervical leak (OR; 3.63, CI; 1.06 -12.40, P= 0.039). Therefor the enlargement is associate with lower rate of cervical leak. The functional results was good. Conclusion: the non-enlargement of the thoracic inlet is a predisposing factor of cervical leak in substernal colonic interposition. Therefore the enlargement seems reduce the cervical leakage.