Clinical evaluation and morbidity of 201 free jejunal transfers for oesophagopharyngeal reconstruction during the 20 years 1984–2003

We evaluated 192 patients who had 201 free jejunal transfers for oesophagopharyngeal reconstruction during the 20 years 1984–2003. The main postoperative complications were thrombosis, leaks, and stenosis. In this series, the rate of thrombosis was 7/201 (3.5%), that of leaks was 17/201 (8.5%), and that of stenosis was 25/201 (13.0%). When we assessed the relation between pre-existing conditions, surgical techniques, and these complications, we found only one significant difference: a history of alcohol misuse was associated with a reduction in the incidence of thrombosis. The surgical techniques did not affect the development of leaks or stenosis, which means that a complicated surgical technique is unnecessary.