Esophageal reconstruction after caustic injury: is there still a place for right coloplasty?

Background: Through a systematic policy of using the right colon as an esophageal substitute, the authors analyze the reliability of this transplant for reconstruction after digestive caustic injury.

Methods: From 1995 to 2005, a right coloplasty was attempted in 81 patients after total esophagogastrectomy (n = 57) or for esophageal stricture (n = 24).

Results: The use of the right colon was not possible in 10 patients (12%) because of insufficient blood supply.