Published online Feb 28, 2012. doi: 10.5412/wjsp.v2.i1.1
Revised: December 5, 2011
Accepted: December 20, 2011
Published online: February 28, 2012
A new procedure known as mid-colon esophagocoloplasty for corrosive esophageal strictures is described. This has been used in 112 consecutive patients over thirty years from 1977 to 2010 with excellent results. The conduit is a modification of the left colon conduit. It is based primarily on the left colic pedicle and includes the entire transverse colon with both flexures. It has several advantages over conventional methods of esophageal bypass for corrosive strictures. The major advantages of this procedure are excellent vascularity of the conduit, adequate length giving scope for operative decision making on the length required for the conduit, the possibility of a wide cervical esophago-colic anastomosis, negligible necrosisand stricture rates and excellent long-term functional results. The procedure, its differences and merits compared to conventional colonic conduits for esophageal replacement are described in detail.