Small bowel esophagoplasty with vascular microanastomoses in the neck for treatment of esophageal burns in childhood.

Replacement of the esophagus may become mandatory in esophageal burns if dilatation treatment is unsuccessful. Normally, the isoperistaltic transverse colon placed in the neck is used for this purpose. The use of the major curvature of the stomach, according to Gavriliu, may also be considered. In two of our patients, these techniques could not be applied, and we transplanted a portion of the small bowel into the neck, with the blood supply to the pedicule being provided by vascular microanastomosis in the cervical region. The functional results were very satisfying in both cases, despite of the bent appearance of the grafts. At long-term follow-up, there have been no major, particularly peptic, complications. The two cases and the technique applied are described.