Free jejunal grafts of the pharynx: Surgical methods, complications, and radiographic evaluation

Free jejunal grafts have been used in the surgical treatment of patients wi th carcinoma of the pharynx and upper esophagus. Post-operative complicatio ns, including swallowing difficulty, are frequent and radiographic assessme nt may be required. In this pictorial paper, we describe the surgical techn ique of free jejunal grafting of the pharyngoesophagus, and the radiographi c appearances and clinical importance of early and delayed complications fo llowing the procedure. Dysphagia after placement of a jejunal graft is a co mmon occurrence which is often multifactorial, and may be related to functi onal, anatomic, or a combination of factors.