Superdrainage of the ileocolic vein to the internal jugular vein interposed by an inferior mesenteric vein graft in replacing the esophagus with the right hemicolon

Surg Today. 2010 Jun;40(6):578-82. doi: 10.1007/s00595-009-4081-y. Epub 2010 May 23.

Abstract

The fear of serious complications, such as a necrotic conduit caused by an impaired blood circulation can arise when replacing the esophagus with an intestinal conduit. The aim of this paper is to present effective superdrainage of an intestinal conduit using an inferior mesenteric vein (IMV) interposition graft. In 2008, we performed superdrainage of the ileocolic vein to the internal jugular vein interposed by an IMV graft in replacing the esophagus with the right hemicolon for advanced thoracic esophageal cancer in three patients with a synchronous gastric cancer or a previous gastrectomy. No leakage at the enteric anastomoses occurred. Neither ischemic lesions in these intestinal conduits nor complications caused by harvesting an IMV graft were observed. Superdrainage of the ileocolic vein to the internal jugular vein interposed by an IMV graft effectively improves the blood circulation in intestinal conduits brought up to the neck as an esophageal replacement.

MeSH terms

  • Colon / blood supply
  • Colon / transplantation*
  • Esophageal Neoplasms / surgery*
  • Esophagus / blood supply*
  • Humans
  • Jugular Veins / physiology
  • Jugular Veins / transplantation*
  • Mesenteric Veins / transplantation*
  • Regional Blood Flow
  • Treatment Outcome