Long gap XXXX : lengthening technique and primary anastomosis.

@entity1 @entity354 @entity1152
OBJECTIVE: The treatment of long gap @entity1152 remains a major surgical challenge. The authors describe a modification of a lengthening technique based on tissue expansion to avoid sutures cutting through the esophagus. METHODS: Between January 2004 and August 2006, 4 @entity1 did not respond to stretching, and underwent this modified esophageal lengthening technique using silastic tubes. RESULTS AND FOLLOW-UP: All @entity1 recovered and have an intact esophagus. All @entity1 developed @entity354 . Thal antireflux procedure was performed in the first @entity1 . The other 3 @entity1 were managed conservatively. Follow-up ranged between 6 and 34 months. CONCLUSIONS: The tissue expansion principle can be successfully applied in the esophagus through external traction. Silastic tube fixation at esophageal ends may help to apply even traction and avoid sutures cutting through the esophageal tissue.
