The stomach has become the most commonly used site for grafts to replace the esophagus in esophageal cancer surgery because of its good blood supply and ability to enable single-reconstruction anastomosis. However, anastomotic failure is a serious complication after esophageal cancer surgery. Unlike anastomotic leakage due to local ischemia, gastric tube necrosis is a life-threatening condition with a high mortality rate. Gastric tube necrosis involves extensive ischemia due to a decreased blood supply, and an urgent operation is mandatory in most cases. Endoscopic vacuum therapy (EVT) has been used for anastomotic leakage after esophageal surgery. In recent years, it has been successfully used for more extensive disease, including large esophageal perforation as an indication for reoperation. Hence, we report a case of extensive gastric tube necrosis treated by EVT after an Ivor Lewis operation.
Keywords: Case report; Endoscopic vacuum therapy; Esophageal neoplasms.