Utility of the evaluation of blood flow of remnant esophagus with indocyanine green in esophagectomy with jejunum reconstruction: Case series

BACKGROUND: Pedicled jejunal flap can be utilized with various tips for esophageal reconstruction in patients with a history of gastrectomy or those who have undergone synchronous esophagogastrectomy. However, the rate of anastomosis leakage is high; therefore, we considered the evaluation of blood flow of the remnant esophagus with indocyanine green in setting the anastomosis site. METHODS: Fifty patients who underwent radical esophagectomy with pedicled jejunal flap between January 2011 and June 2020 were identified. From June 2019, blood flow in the pedicled jejunum and remnant esophagus were evaluated to set the anastomosis site of the latter. Usually, the second and third jejunal vessels are transected, and if the jejunal flap cannot reach to the anastomosis point, we actively transect the marginal vessels to stretch the jejunal flap. Microvascular anastomosis between the jejunal branches and the internal thoracic vessels is usually made, and the anastomosis site is set at the well-stained part of the esophagus. RESULTS: Overall, 39 patients underwent the procedure before June 2019 (Group A), and 11 patients underwent the procedure since June 2019 (Group B). No significant difference was found in the patients’ background, type of preoperative therapy, presence or absence of ligation of marginal vessels and two-stage operation between the groups. Group A had 16 cases of anastomosis leakage; B had only 1 case (p < 0.05). There were no cases of pedicled jejunum graft necrosis. CONCLUSION: Assessing remnant esophageal perfusion by indocyanine green imaging in pedicled jejunum reconstruction resulted in a lower anastomotic leak rate.