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Salvage oesophagoplasty using a free jejunal transplant is the ultimate reconstruction possible after repeated failures using the classic procedures of oesophagoplasty. The free jejunal transplant appears to be the best choice. Twenty-five free jejunal transplants were performed by the same surgeon for such reconstructions including 13 cases involving benign lesions and 12 cases of cancer. There were no post-operative death and none of the transplantations was a complete failure although three cases of stenosis and fistulization occurred. Several recommendations can be made: save the existing digestive tract, redissect the residual digestive plasty and pull it up. The residual digestive flap can be examined by opacification or endoscopically in order to evaluate its length. An arteriography of the pediculated plasty gives information on its vascularization. A free jejunal graft can safely cover 25 to 30 cm. When possible, residual plasties should be positioned subcutaneously. The reconstruction of the cervico-thoracic oesophagus usually requires a vascular bypass with a saphene graft. In difficult cases, it may be necessary to remove a part of the sternal manubrium and the head of the clavicular bone in order to avoid compressing the jejunal graft. When the length of the reconstruction is greater than 30 cm, a long jejunal transplant with two pedicules (1 pedicule revascularized from the cervical vessels and the other pedicule from the internal thoracic vessels) is needed. An alternative technique would be a free antebrachial flap (six cases operated with two post-operative deaths at 6 weeks and two fistulas).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Cancers of the posterior wall of the oro or hypopharynx are rare and do not invade the larynx or the oesophageal orifice. Previously, these cancers were treated with radiotherapy alone, but since 1981 new techniques in reconstruction surgery have allowed a surgical approach. Cancerological non-mutilating exeresis is possible, but reconstruction is difficult since the flap must be very thin to allow normal food intake. In addition, flap reliability is extremely important due to the gravity of cervical salivary fistulation. We treated 15 patients with a lesion of the posterior wall of the pharynx using posterior pharyngectomy and reconstruction with a free antebrachial transplant which was revascularized and reinnervated. In two cases, the operation was performed in patients who had had previous radiotherapy. A branch of the external carotid and the internal jugular vein were used for vascular microanastomoses and reinnervation was obtained using the superficial cervical plexus. The transplant was placed over the prevertebral aponevrosis and sutured to the remaining pharyngeal mucosa. One postoperative death due to heart disease occurred at D + 11. All reconstructions were successful and two salivary fistulas on irradiated tissue closed spontaneously. Postoperative radiotherapy was performed in 11 cases (50-65 Gy) and was well tolerated. These results demonstrate that a highly flexible and thin free forearm transplant is perfectly adapted to reconstruction after posterior pharyngectomy. It is more reliable than local pediculated flaps.

The use of vascularized, composite and prepared free transplants is a recent technique. Two types of transplants were grafted in rats (150 operated cases). For the prefabricated free transplants, each component remains vascularized by rami of the main pedicle: vessels, nerves, bone, periosteum, cartilage, muscle, skin (50 cases). The graft is transplanted immediately. Neovascularized free transplants are quite different, the various components being laid around the vascular pedicle (100 cases). Neovascularization revascularizes the components. The free graft is transplanted 5 weeks after being prepared. The period of observation ranges from 3 to 12 months. Observation includes macroscopy, arteriography, histology and intravascular dye injections. The results with prefabricated free transplants show normal vascularization of soft tissues. There is bone in all cases, it is normal in 80% of cases. In neovascularized transplants, the bone is normal in 33% of cases only, and totally resorbed in 46%. Prefabricated free transplants produce better results than neovascularized free transplants and must be preferred. The merit of these composite free transplants is that they produce free transplants selectively, using various tissues and chosen vascular pedicles. These transplants are a useful and futuristic alternative for highly sophisticated reconstructive surgery.

The free neurovascular antebrachial transplant was described by Yang-Guofan in 1978. In 1981, we brought the description of this free transplant to Europe. Forty-three antebrachial grafts were made to reconstruct the cervicocephalic extremity. We had various indications: floor of the mouth and base of the tongue: 18 cases, facial structures: 7 cases, posterior wall of the pharynx: 9 cases, rescue surgery for esophagoplasty: 6 cases, mandible: 2 cases (using a bone rod taken from the radius), internal aspect of the cheek: 1 case. All grafts were revascularized. In 41 cases, the indications were carcinological, the last 2 cases being benign lesions. The early postoperative mortality included 1 case, not related to the nature of the operation (neoplasm). There was no failure of free transplants. Surveillance was ensured every half-hour during 12 hours, then every 3 hours. Discriminating sensation was recovered in 39 of 43 cases. Mandibular bone reconstructions were knit at the 3rd month. The main disadvantage of removing this graft is esthetic, as it leaves a considerable scar on the forearm. The free antebrachial transplant provides an effective solution to the reconstructions of the cervicocephalic extremity, when a narrow, thin, supple, reinnervated, compound transplant is needed.

Several procedures have been proposed for pharyngoesophageal reconstruction. The use of a revascularized free jejunal graft currently appears to be a method of choice for anatomical, physiological and technical reasons. The authors currently look back on a series of 90 patients having received a revascularized free jejunal graft between 1978 and 1989 inclusive. The indications predominantly include cancer of the pharynx invading the posterior wall and preserving the cervical esophagus, requiring total circular pharyngolaryngectomy (77 cases). Some benign lesions involve reoperated patients (13 cases). The technique for obtaining the jejunal graft is accurately codified: use of the 3rd jejunal loop in isoperistaltic conditions, refrigeration during the period of ischemia, revascularization by the cervical vessels. If a salvage operation is needed, it is necessary to prepare a saphenous venous graft at the beginning of the operation (3 cases). These grafts must be observed daily. Early negative signs include unexplained epistaxis, blood in the saliva, cervical skin suffering. Emergency fiberscopy must be performed with a bronchoscope or a rhinofiberscope. In case of suffering or necrosis of the graft, the patient must be reoperated immediately and a second free jejunal graft must be placed. The absence of postoperative mortality, low morbidity and good functional results obtained in the series are convincing reasons for using this procedure.