Clinical outcome and quality of life after gastric and distal esophagus replacement with an ileocolon interposition

Mainly because of the loss of reservoir function, loss of sphincter functio n, and exclusion of the duodenal route, patients who undergo gastrectomy su ffer from many adverse effects postoperatively. The ileocecal interposition al graft is an attractive method to use as a gastric substitute after gastr ectomy and distal esophagectomy. A pedunculated ileocecal graft is placed b etween the esophagus and the duodenum. The cecum acts as a reservoir while the ileocecal valve protects against enteroesophageal reflux. The duodenal passage is also preserved. Fourteen patients underwent this operation. The technique-related morbidity was low and the quality of life was good. Durin g a mean follow-up of 6 months, no evidence of severe dumping syndrome or r eflux esophagitis was observed. Further prospective randomized studies are warranted to compare this technique with the standard methods of gastric re construction.