Successful management of therapy-refractory pseudoachalasia after Ivor Lewis esophagectomy by bypassing colonic pull-up: A case report

BACKGROUND: Gastric pull-up after esophagectomy is still a demanding surgical procedure and associated with considerable morbidity such as anastomotic leaks, fistulas or stenoses. These complications are usually managed by endoscopy, but in extreme cases multidisciplinary management including reoperations may be necessary. Here, we report managing therapy-refractory pseudoachalasia after Ivor Lewis esophagectomy by bypassing colonic pull-up. CASE SUMMARY: A 70-year-old male with dysphagia and regurgitation after esophagectomy with gastric pull-up reconstruction was transferred to our tertiary hospital. Since endoscopic approaches including balloon dilatation and stenting failed, retrosternal colonic pull-up with Roux-en-Y reconstruction was performed with no subsequent adverse events. CONCLUSION: Secondary colonic pull-up is a demanding but successful surgical procedure in patients suffering from therapy-refractory complaints after esophagectomy with gastric pull-up reconstruction.