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Introduction: Esophageal atresia (EA) is a congenital defect that causes esophageal discontinuity, often with an associated tracheo-esophageal fistula (TEF) in 70%-90% of cases. When the distance between esophageal ends precludes primary anastomosis, it results in long gap esophageal atresia (LGEA), complicating the surgical management. This study retrospectively reviewed LGEA cases from the past decade, treated with the goal of preserving the native esophagus, comparing surgical techniques and outcomes with current literature. Materials and methods: The data of patients treated for LGEA between 2013 and 2024 were collected from medical charts, focusing on patients treated with the preservation of their native esophagus. Results: Ten patients were enrolled for this study. All of them had a gap between the esophageal ends equal to or greater than three vertebral bodies. Four patients (40%) underwent a delayed primary anastomosis (DPA) procedure, while the remaining six (60%) underwent a traction staged repair. All patients were treated with open surgery. The follow-up period extended from 3 months to 10 years. Conclusion: Preserving the native esophagus in patients with LGEA is a challenging but feasible goal, with delayed primary anastomosis and traction techniques playing key roles. We advocate for the preservation of the native esophagus as the preferred approach for ensuring a high quality of life for patients, as it helps to avoid severe long-term complications associated with esophageal substitution.

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Objective:To study the clinical characteristics of congenital esophageal atresia (CEA) and risk factors of mortality associated with esophageal repair (ER) surgery.Methods:From January 2010 to December 2022, patients diagnosed of CEA using chest and abdomen X-ray and esophagography in our hospital were retrospectively reviewed. The patients were assigned into ER group and non-ER group according to the treatments. The ER group was subgrouped into survival group and death group according to the prognosis. Clinical data and outcomes were collected and compared between the groups.Results:A total of 553 cases were enrolled. According to Gross classification, 29 patients (5.2%) were type A, 2 patients (0.4%) were type B, 504 patients (91.1%) were type C, 6 patients (1.1%) were type D and 11 patients (2.0%) were type E. One patient had simple transluminal septal atresia of the esophagus. 406 patients were in ER group and 147 in non-ER group. Compared with ER group, non-ER group had significantly higher incidences of preterm birth, low birth weight and overall malformations (all P<0.05). In ER group, 152 patients (37.4%) received open thoracic surgery (OTS), 243 (59.9%) had video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) and 11 (2.7%) were VATS converted to OTS. Postoperative anastomotic leakage (PAL) occurred in 92 patients (22.7%) and 15 patients (3.7%) died after surgery. The median length of hospital stay was 23 (17, 36) d. Compared with the survival group, the death group had higher incidences of preterm birth, low birth weight, VATS converted to OTS, mechanical ventilation after ER, and shorter length of hospital stay (all P<0.05). After adjusted for birth weight, VATS converted to OTS ( OR=9.585, 95% CI 1.899-48.374) and mechanical ventilation after ER ( OR=7.821, 95% CI 1.002-61.057) were risk factors of mortality in ER patients. Conclusions:Non-ER patients have higher incidences of preterm birth, low birth weight and overall malformations than ER patients. VATS is the method of choice for CEA. Preterm birth, low birth weight, VATS converted to OTS and mechanical ventilation after ER are risk factors of mortality in ER patients.

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The choice of treatment for recurrence after esophagocardiomyotomy is individual. Repeated esophagocardiomyotomy is appropriate in patients without malignancy and significant deposition of food masses in distal esophagus followed by severe pulmonary complications. Esophagectomy is desirable in case of unadvisable or failed repeated esophagocardiomyotomy. The authors presents laparoscopic transhiatal resection of the lower third of the esophagus (2019) in a patient with recurrent achalasia of the cardia stage 3-4 and cicatricial peptic stricture of the lower third of the esophagus after previous laparoscopic esophagocardiomyotomy with fundoplication (2009). The immediate results of redo surgery and physical status of the patient after 3 years (12-year follow-up) are described.

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Background and Objective: Non-iatrogenic esophageal trauma is a rare entity that has a high morbidity and mortality. The diagnosis can often be quite challenging, however is critical to perform in a timely manner. The workup and management of non-iatrogenic trauma continues to evolve, with new innovative approaches available for both diagnosis and treatment. The aim of this narrative review is to comprehensively describe the incidence, presentation, workup, treatment approaches and outcomes of non-iatrogenic esophageal trauma. Methods: A thorough literature review was performed using full length articles available in English via PubMed between January 1, 1960 to September 30, 2021, focusing on the epidemiology, workup and treatment of non-iatrogenic esophageal trauma, including current surgical techniques. Key Content and Findings: Injuries to the cervical esophagus are more common than injuries to the thoracic esophagus, occurring more in young males, with significant racial disparity. Penetrating trauma via gunshot wounds are the most common forms of injury, followed by stab wounds and blunt trauma. Workup is multimodal and involves a combination of plain radiographs, computed tomography (CT) scans, endoscopy and fluoroscopy depending of the stability of the patient and associated injuries. Conclusions: Workup and management of non-iatrogenic esophageal trauma depends on the location and extent of esophageal injury, and can include observation, debridement and drainage, esophageal diversion, endoscopic approaches or esophagectomy, with indications, techniques and outcomes described in further detail in this review.

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Introducción: Las perforaciones del esófago cervical por traumas externos son lesiones raras asociadas con una morbilidad significativa. Los mecanismos primarios son los traumatismos penetrantes por heridas de bala, cerca del 80 por ciento de los casos, seguidas de las heridas con armas cortopunzantes en el 15 al 20 por ciento. Objetivo: Describir los criterios actuales sobre la conducta y enfoque terapéutico ante el trauma penetrante de esófago cervical. Métodos: Se realizó revisión descriptiva narrativa, de fuentes primarias y secundarias que abordaron el tema durante el primer semestre del año 2021. Los criterios de selección de los artículos a examinar fueron determinados, entre otros, por el objetivo de la actual revisión. Desarrollo: El estándar diagnóstico para estas lesiones, en ausencia de inestabilidad hemodinámica, se basó en estudios como el esofagograma, la endoscopia y la tomografía. La reparación primaria con o sin reforzamiento fue la opción más utilizada, aunque las condiciones locales y tipo de lesión en esófago cervical marcan en gran medida el proceder a realizar. Conclusiones: Las lesiones traumáticas del esófago cervical son raras pero muy mórbidas. El tratamiento depende de la ubicación de la perforación y cualquier lesión concurrente. La mayoría de los casos son susceptibles de reparación primaria con refuerzo de colgajo. Otros principios del tratamiento incluyen el drenaje adecuado alrededor de la reparación, la descompresión del esófago y el estómago (mediante sonda nasogástrica o sonda de gastrostomía) y nutrición enteral distal (yeyunostomía de alimentación). El cirujano ha de ser incisivo en los esfuerzos por descubrir la lesión de forma temprana y manejarla adecuadamente(AU)

Introduction: Cervical esophageal perforations for external trauma are rare injuries associated with a significant morbidity. The primary mechanisms are penetrating trauma for gunshot wounds, accounting for about 80 percent of cases, followed by sharp weapon injuries, accounting for 15 percent to 20 percent. Objective: To describe the current criteria on the behavior and therapeutic approach to cervical esophageal penetrating trauma. Methods: A descriptive narrative review was carried out of primary and secondary sources that addressed the subject during the first semester of the year 2021. The selection criteria of the articles to be examined were determined, among others, by the objective of the current review. Development: The standard diagnosis for these lesions, in the absence of hemodynamic instability, was based on studies such as esophagogram, endoscopy and tomography. Primary repair with or without reinforcement was the most commonly used option, although local conditions and type of lesion in cervical esophagus largely mark the procedure to be performed. Conclusions: Traumatic cervical esophageal injuries are rare but very morbid. Their treatment depends on the location of the perforation and any concurrent injury. Most cases are amenable to primary repair with flap reinforcement. Other principles of treatment include adequate drainage around the repair, decompression of the esophagus and stomach (by nasogastric tube or gastrostomy tube), as well as distal enteral nutrition (feeding jejunostomy). The surgeon must be incisive in efforts to discover the injury early and manage it appropriately(AU)

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Esophageal injuries in the setting of trauma are rare, with an incidence of .001 % in the setting of blunt chest trauma. The duration of time from injury to repair is the main factor that influences the high mortality and morbidity rates of esophageal injury secondary to blunt trauma. This paper presents a case of esophageal injury secondary to blunt trauma resulting from a 25 foot fall. The patient presented three hours after the injury with esophageal perforation noted on CT scan. The patient then underwent prompt surgical repair. It is of paramount importance for investigators to maintain a high index of suspicion for esophageal perforation in poly-trauma patients presenting with blunt chest injury as a missed diagnosis can lead to worse outcomes and limited repair options for patients.

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Currently, patients with esophageal cancer, especially advanced patients, usually use autologous tissue for esophageal alternative therapy. However, an alternative therapy is often accompanied by serious complications such as ischemia and leakage, which seriously affect the prognosis of patients. Tissue engineering has been widely studied as one of the ideal methods for the treatment of esophageal cancer. In view of the complex multi-layer structure of the natural esophagus, how to use the tissue engineering method to design the scaffold with structure and function matching with the natural tissue is the principle that the tissue engineering method must follow. This article will analyze and summarize the construction methods, with or without cells, and repair effects of single-layer scaffold and multi-layer scaffold. Especially in the repair of full-thickness and circumferential esophageal defects, the flexible design method and the binding force between the layers of the scaffold are very important. In short, esophageal tissue engineering technology has broad prospects and plays a more and more important role in the treatment of esophageal diseases.

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Penetrating transmediastinal traumatic injuries often carry a high mortality given the vital structures this type of injury often involves. Here, we describe a case of 24-year-old man who suffered multiple stab wounds to the chest and back with associated cardiac, esophageal, and arterial injury, requiring immediate operative intervention. He underwent sternotomy and left thoracotomy with pericardiotomy, repair of 2 right ventricular lacerations, and ligation of internal mammary artery. The esophageal injury was repaired with endoscopic clips. Patient had an uncomplicated recovery. Despite high mortality often associated with transmediastinal penetrating injuries, good outcomes are achievable with rapid identification of injuries and appropriate operative intervention alongside adequate resuscitation.

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In esophageal pathologies, such as esophageal atresia, cancers, caustic burns, or post-operative stenosis, esophageal replacement is performed by using parts of the gastrointestinal tract to restore nutritional autonomy. However, this surgical procedure most often does not lead to complete functional recovery and is instead associated with many complications resulting in a decrease in the quality of life and survival rate. Esophageal tissue engineering (ETE) aims at repairing the defective esophagus and is considered as a promising therapeutic alternative. Noteworthy progress has recently been made in the ETE research area but strong challenges remain to replicate the structural and functional integrity of the esophagus with the approaches currently being developed. Within this context, 3D bioprinting is emerging as a new technology to facilitate the patterning of both cellular and acellular bioinks into well-organized 3D functional structures. Here, we present a comprehensive overview of the recent advances in tissue engineering for esophageal reconstruction with a specific focus on 3D bioprinting approaches in ETE. Current biofabrication techniques and bioink features are highlighted, and these are discussed in view of the complexity of the native esophagus that the designed substitute needs to replace. Finally, perspectives on recent strategies for fabricating other tubular organ substitutes via 3D bioprinting are discussed briefly for their potential in ETE applications.

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BACKGROUND: Esophageal perforation represents a rare but potentially life-threatening complication of an anterior cervical diskectomy and fusion (ACDF). Delayed presentations of esophageal perforation more than 10 years following surgery are exceedingly rare and difficult to diagnose. Here, we discuss the case of an 80-year-old man who presented to the emergency department with progressive dysphagia 15 years after his ACDF. CASE DESCRIPTION: While prior outpatient workup was suggestive of a diverticulum, there was no evidence of esophageal perforation. Progressive symptoms and repeat imaging on admission were suggestive of retropharyngeal phlegmon. Operative esophagoscopy revealed that the spinal hardware had eroded through the posterior wall of the esophagus, creating a traction diverticulum. The hardware was removed, and the esophageal perforation was closed primarily and buttressed with vascularized tissue from a supraclavicular artery island fascial flap. CONCLUSIONS: This case emphasizes the importance of considering an esophageal perforation in patients who present with dysphagia at any interval following an ACDF, even in the extremely delayed setting. Furthermore, this is the first report, to the best of our knowledge, using a supraclavicular artery island fascial flap to reconstruct an esophageal perforation following an ACDF, and we introduce a novel strategy for managing these complicated injuries.

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Traumatic esophageal perforations are rare but difficult to treat injuries. We review the principles of work-up, anatomy and treatment of cervical, thoracic and abdominal traumatic esophageal perforations. Management is dictated by location of the perforation and any concurrent injuries. The majority of cases are amenable to primary repair with flap re-enforcement. Other principles include adequate drainage around the repair, decompression of the esophagus and stomach (via nasogastric tube or gastrostomy tube) and distal enteral nutrition (feeding jejunostomy).

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AIM: To optimize fluid therapy in transhiatal eshophagectomy by using of goal-oriented infusion therapy based on stroke volume variation. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Our trial enrolled 30 patients who underwent transhiatal esophagectomy followed by repair for the period 2011-2014. Patients were divided into 2 groups. The first group (LT) included 16 patients with liberal fluid therapy. The second group (GDT) consisted of 14 patients in whom goal-oriented fluid therapy was performed. Goal-oriented fluid therapy was implemented via stroke volume variation (SVV). RESULTS: Infusion rate was 6.7 ml/kg/h and 11.5 ml/kg/h in the main and control groups, respectively. Morbidity rate was 28.6% (n=4) and 62.5% (n=10) in the main and control groups respectively. Clavien-Dindo IV complications were lung atelectasis (n=2, 14%), pneumonia (n=1, 7%). Hydrothorax required puncture was noted in 1 (7%) case. Acute respiratory failure as complication IVa was in 1 (9%) patient. In the control group complications were registered in 10 (62.5%) patients. Complications I-II degree included lung atelectasis (n=4, 25%), cervical anastomosis failure (n=1, 6%); complications IVa were observed in 8 cases (50%). It was significant respiratory failure with reduced PO2/FiO2<300. Patients of the main group required less time for postoperative mechanical ventilation (120 [90-300] vs. 315 [215-810] min (p=0.02) and ICU-stay (0.83 [0.7-0.8] vs. 1.75 [1.25-2.75] (p=0.0022).

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BACKGROUND: Surgical treatment is an accepted method to manage esophageal perforation, but in many cases it may result in failure. This paper compares the efficacy of surgical treatment and stenting in patients after previous surgical intervention for esophageal perforation. METHODS: A single-institution retrospective study was performed in a group of patients treated for esophageal perforation admitted to our centre from 2010 to 2015. Seventy eight patients (76.5%) with esophageal perforation received surgical treatment. In this group of patients, the mean time between perforation and treatment was 80.6 h (24-240 h). Spontaneous and iatrogenic perforation was observed in 33 (42.3%) and 45 (57.7%) patients, respectively. Partial esophageal resection was performed in 11 cases (14.1%). The perforation site was sutured in the remaining 67 patients (85.9%). Surgical treatment failed in 29 cases (37.2%). RESULTS: In patients with failed previous surgical treatment, revision surgery was performed in 14 patients (48.3%) (group A), and a large-diameter self-expandable stent was implanted in 15 cases (51.7%) (group B). Perforation in the thoracic and distal esophagus was observed in 5 (35.7%) and 9 (64.3%) patients from group A, and in 7 (46.7%) and 8 (53.3%) patients from group B, respectively. The mean intubation time in both groups was 30.3 and 12.5 days (p < 0.001), respectively. The mean daily drainage within five days after the intervention was 350 mL in group A, and 500 mL in group B (p < 0.02). In both groups hospitalisation time was 41.5 and 19.4 days, respectively (p < 0.001). Six patients died (42.8%) following revision surgery, and 2 (13.3%) patients died after stent implantation (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Intubation time, hospitalization, and the rate of fatal complications in patients who underwent stent implantations were significantly lower compared to reoperated patients; however, the rate of prolonged drainage was lower in patients who underwent revision surgery. In conclusion, stent implantation is a significantly superior method to treat persistent leakage following failure of previous surgical treatment.

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A fistula formation between the esophagus and an aberrant right subclavian artery is a rare but fatal complication that has been mostly described in the setting of prolonged nasogastric intubation and foreign body erosion. We report a case of a young morbidly obese patient who underwent sleeve gastrectomy that was complicated by a postoperative leak at the level of the gastroesophageal junction. A covered esophageal stent was placed endoscopically to treat the leak. The patient developed massive upper gastrointestinal bleeding secondary to the erosion of the stent into an aberrant retroesophageal right subclavian artery twelve days after stent placement. She was ultimately treated by endovascular stenting of the aberrant right subclavian artery followed by thoracotomy and esophageal repair over a T-tube. This case report highlights the multidisciplinary approach needed to diagnose and manage such a devastating complication. It also emphasizes the need for imaging studies prior to stent deployment to delineate the vascular anatomy and rule out the possibility of such an anomaly in view of the growing popularity of esophageal stents, especially in the setting of a leak.

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INTRODUCTION: Acquired post-traumatic tracheoesophageal fistula (TEF) is an uncommon entity requiring early diagnosis. Among the many strategies in surgical management, we report a case successfully treated with a single-stage tracheal resection and esophageal repair with platysma myocutaneous interposition flap. PRESENTATION OF CASE: A 24-year-old man had a motor vehicle accident with head injury and cerebral contusion who required mechanical ventilation support. Three weeks later, he developed hypersecretion, and recurrent episodes of aspiration pneumonia. The chest computed tomography, esophagogastroduodenoscopy, and bronchoscopy revealed a large TEF diameter of 3cm at 4.5cm from carina. Single-stage tracheal resection with primary end-to-end anastomosis and esophageal repair with platysma myocutaneous interposition flap was performed. A contrast esophagography was done on post-operative day 7 and revealed no leakage. He was discharged on post-operative day 10. Esophagogastroduodenoscopy at 1 month revealed patient esophageal lumen. At present he is doing well without any evidence of complications such as esophageal stricture or fistula. DISCUSSION: There are many choices of myocutaneous muscle flaps in trachea and esophageal closure or reinforcement. The platysma myocutaneous flap interposition is simple with the advantage of reduced bulkiness. Concern on the vascular supply is that flap should be elevated with the deep adipofascial tissue under the platysma to ensure that the flap survival is not threatened. CONCLUSION: The treatment of acquired TEF with platysma myocutaneous flap is an alternative procedure for a large uncomplicated TEF as it is effective, technically ease, minimal donor site defect and yields good surgical results.

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In addition to squamous cell carcinoma, the incidence of Barrett's esophagus with high-grade dysplasia and esophageal adenocarcinoma is rapidly increasing worldwide. Unfortunately, the current standard of care for esophageal pathology involves resection of the affected tissue, sometimes involving radical esophagectomy. Without exception, these procedures are associated with a high morbidity, compromised quality of life, and unacceptable mortality rates. Regenerative medicine approaches to functional tissue replacement include the use of biological and synthetic scaffolds to promote tissue remodeling and growth. In the case of esophageal repair, extracellular matrix (ECM) scaffolds have proven to be effective for the reconstruction of small patch defects, anastomosis reinforcement, and the prevention of stricture formation after endomucosal resection (EMR). More so, esophageal cancer patients treated with ECM scaffolds have shown complete restoration of a normal, functional, and disease-free epithelium after EMR. These studies provide evidence that a regenerative medicine approach may enable aggressive resection of neoplastic tissue without the need for radical esophagectomy and its associated complications.

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