A gastric conduit is most frequently used for reconstruction in oesophageal surgery, and ischemia of the conduit is the most fragile aspect of the esophagogastric anastomosis with as consequence the anastomotic leakage. In order to avoid it, the concept of ischaemic conditioning of the stomach previous to surgery has been designed. The basis of ischemic conditioning is that interrupting vascularization of the stomach before making the anastomosis eases the gastric fundus adaptation to ischemic conditions. It consists of the interruption of the principal feeding arteries of the stomach (except the right gastroepiploic artery) weeks before esophagectomy. Previously published literature contemplates two different techniques: angiographic embolization or laparoscopic ligation or division of vessels. In this study, the anatomic and physio-pathologic background of ischemic preconditioning is described and the published current evidence is reviewed.

We present a case of locally advanced rectal cancer with initial optimal local control after neoadjuvant concurrent chemoradiotherapy followed by surgery; early liver recurrence then occurred and was treated again with curative intent with neoadjuvant combination chemotherapy followed by liver surgery. We reflect on this difficult problem and discuss relevant topics to this case report. Clinical caseA male of 56 years of age with clinical history of hyperuricemia and gout was hospitalised because of rectal bleeding. His symptoms had started two months prior, and he had been diagnosed with haemorrhoids.On admission, he had mild anemia. Blood chemistry and coagulation were normal. A full colonoscopy was performed, which detected a 5 cm long, non stenosing rectal tumour, starting after the dentate line, in addition to a sigmoid polyp. Biopsies revealed a rectal adenocarcinoma and a non dysplastic adenomatous polyp in sigmoid colon. Staging studies were completed with tumour markers (CEA and CA 19.9) measurement, echoendoscopy and a thoracic-abdominal-pelvic CT. Tumour markers values were within normal range, echoendoscopy showed a 6 cm long uT3N0 rectal cancer, and CT detected an eccentric thickening of the rectal wall, compatible with a rectal cancer with no lymph node or visceral involvement. Final diagnosis was a rectal adenocarcinoma located in the middle-inferior thirds, clinical stage T3 N0 M0 ( Figures. 1, 2).His clinical case was discussed shortly after in our Digestive Tumours Commitee, and neoadjuvant combined chemoradiotherapy followed by surgery were planned. The patient received capecitabine 900 mg/m2/12h d1-5/ 7d concurrent with radiotherapy, 45 Gy (180 cGy/d) [1]. Treatment was generally well tolerated, with moderate cystitis and mild epithelitis as major adverse effects. Reassessment after neoadjuvant treatment showed neither blood analysis abnormalities, nor CT suspicion of residual disease ( Figure. 3).

Pharyngoesophageal reconstruction after laryngo-pharyngo-esophagectomy, due to malignant or benign causes, is challenging due to its high morbidity and mortality. There are different reconstructive flaps: visceral flaps (pedicle stomach and colon flaps and free jejunum or colon grafts) and myocutaneous flaps (pedicle local flaps, such as the pectoralis major flap, or free grafts, such as the anterolateral thigh-ALT). The objective is to evaluate the morbidity and mortality and functional results of the reconstruction after laryngo-pharyngo-esophagectomy. Methods This is a retrospective study of patients who underwent laryngo-pharyngo-esophagectomy in our center, due to a benign cause (ingestion of caustic) or malignant (cancer of the larynx, pharynx, parathyroid and cervical esophagus) with circumferential pharyngeal reconstruction with flap, from 2008 to November 2020. Demographic variables, neoadjuvant treatment, procedure performed and flap used for reconstruction, complications related to reconstruction (fistula, stenosis, necrosis), postoperative complications, days until adequate swallowing, functional result of the flap, hospital stay, recurrence and mortality were collected. Results Twelve patients, with a median age of 59 years (45–78), underwent surgery, 1 case due to benign cause and 11 cases with an oncological diagnosis. There were complications related to the reconstruction in 42% of the patients (see table 1). Postoperative morbidity was 67% (75% Clavien-Dindo ≥ III). The median hospital stay was 21 days (16–94). The median time to swallowing was 13 days (3–73). An optimal functional result (oral intake) was achieved in 75% (only 3 patients with poor results). The median follow-up was 18 months (4–56), with a survival rate of 50%. 30-days mortality was 8% (1 case). Conclusion Our study shows a high morbidity and mortality after circumferential pharyngeal reconstruction, similar to literature published. We have observed a higher rate of reconstruction related complications (fistulas and stenosis) and worse functional results in reconstructions performed with gastroplasty and coloplasty after total laryngo-pharyngo-esophagectomy, compared to less aggressive local resections (laryngopharyngeal) with ALT free flap reconstruction.

Background and aim Pharyngoesophageal reconstruction after laryngo-pharyngo-esophagectomy is challenging due to its high morbidity and mortality. There are different reconstructive flaps: visceral flaps (pedicle stomach and colon flaps and free jejunum or colon grafts) and myocutaneous flaps (pedicle local flaps or free grafts). The objective is to evaluate the morbidity and mortality and functional results of the reconstruction after laryngo-pharyngo-esophagectomy. Methods This is a retrospective study of patients who underwent laryngo-pharyngo-esophagectomy in our center, due to a benign cause (caustic ingestion) or malignant (larynx, pharynx, parathyroid and cervical esophagus cancer) with circumferential pharyngeal reconstruction with flap, from 2008 to 2020. Demographic variables, procedure performed and flap used for reconstruction, complications related to reconstruction (fistula, stenosis, necrosis), postoperative complications, days until adequate swallowing, flap’s functional result, hospital stay, recurrence and mortality were collected. Results Twelve patients, with 59 years (45–78) median age, underwent surgery. There were complications related to reconstruction in 42% of the patients (Table 1). Postoperative morbidity was 67%. The median hospital stay was 21 days (16–94). The median time to swallowing was 13 days (3–73). An optimal functional result (oral intake) was achieved in 75%. The median follow-up was 18 months (4–56), with a survival rate of 50%. 30-days mortality was 8%. Conclusion Our study shows a high morbidity and mortality after circumferential pharyngeal reconstruction, similar to literature published. We have observed a higher rate of reconstruction related complications and worse functional results in reconstructions performed with gastroplasty and coloplasty after total laryngo-pharyngo-esophagectomy, compared to less aggressive local resections with ALT free flap reconstruction. Table https://secure.sem-2000.it/semUpload/OLC/file/9203828791100911681076702/93727_Table.jpg.

Superior polar gastrectomy remains an accepted surgical alternative for proximal gastric tumors, although this approach has higher rates of gastroesophageal reflux since the valvular mechanism of cardias disappears. Thus, an additional technique is needed to avoid its presence. Methods This is a description of surgical technique and short term results of superior polar gastrectomy associated to Kamikawa’s anti-reflux technique in a female patient with proximal gastric cancer. Results A 55 year-old female diagnosed with gastric adenocarcinoma. Tumor was 3 cm long, from esophago-gastric junction to subcardial region (cT3N1M0). Patient underwent perioperative chemotherapy and surgical intervention 6 weeks later. A laparoscopic superior polar gastrectomy was performed and D1+ lymphadenectomy. A laparotomy was made to externalize the surgical specimen. Saline solution was injected into submucosa of gastric pouch and two seromuscular flaps were dissected. Gastric mucous membrane was opened in the inferior part of the flaps, constructing an esophagogastric end-to-side anastomosis. Seromuscular flaps were sewn overlapping the esophago-gastric anastomosis. Patient presented an optimal postoperative evolution, without heartburn, dysphagia neither vomiting. Conclusion The procedure described here is feasible and performable, and achieves correct oncological results avoiding performing a total gastrectomy and improving the gastroesophageal reflux problems derived from a superior polar gastrectomy.