The stomach as a microvascularly augmented flap for esophageal replacement

We present a case of difficult esophageal reconstruction after total esopha gectomy for iatrogenic perforation in a diseased esophagus. The stomach was used for esophageal reconstruction as a retrosternal microvascularly augme nted flap; the vascular supply to the stomach had been interrupted during p revious abdominal operations. The blood supply to the stomach conduit was r estored by separate arterial and venous anastomosis between the right inter nal thoracic vessels and the left gastric vessels. (C) 2000 by The Society of Thoracic Surgeons.