[Delayed stenosis after esophageal reconstruction with colon interposition 35 years ago].

BACKGROUND: The long-term complication of an anastomotic stenosis with a poststenotic diverticulum in the case of lye chemical burn of the esophagus at the age of 2 prompted us to present this very rare case, in which 35 years ago the defect was bridged with a section of colon.

PATIENTS: In case in point, secondary surgical correction was performed six years after the accident. Thirty-five years later, our patient developed a stenosis of the proximal esophagus which made surgical intervention necessary.

RESULTS: In this paper, we describe the problems caused by chemical burns in this case (lye), the surgical treatment, and possible complications.

CONCLUSIONS: Reliable procedures include reconstruction with a jejunal transplant, pectoralis major flap, microvascular myocutaneous flap, and retrosternal plastic surgery of the colon. A report on diagnostic procedure and operative care is presented.