Gastric tube perforation penetrating the pericardium after esophagectomy that needed surgical repair

BACKGROUND: As the prognosis of esophageal cancer surgery has improved, reports on postoperative complications of gastric tubes have increased. Among them, gastric tube ulcer perforation is infrequent but often severe and difficult to treat. CASE PRESENTATION: A 73‐year‐old man had undergone thoracoscopic subtotal esophagectomy and laparoscopic‐assisted gastric tube reconstruction via the retrosternal route for thoracic esophageal cancer 8 years previously. He was transferred to our hospital with a diagnosis of gastric tube ulcer perforation, penetrating the pericardium. Emergency surgery was performed to remove the gastric tube, followed by immediate reconstruction by right colon interposition. The patient was discharged on postoperative day 142. CONCLUSION: We report a rare complication of gastric tube ulcer perforation, penetrating the pericardium, after esophagectomy for esophageal cancer. It was successfully treated with appropriate surgical management.