1. The most common postoperative complications of oesophageal surgery relating to the substitute are anastomotic leakage, anastomotic stricture, and acute ischaemia of the substitute organ. Intrathoracic leakage and gangrene of the substitute both pose a major threat to the patient's life.'2 Both may be due to technical failure, either anastomotic or arising from the preparation of the interposition loop and its vascular pedicle.34 Short segment anastomotic stricture is often associated with non-fatal anastomotic leakage,'" and may also be associated with reflux of gastric contents34 or recurrent malignancy.' Long segment fibrous stenosis of the interposed colon is an uncommon complication, with only nine other published cases. Linder and Hecker in 1962 made the first report7; of the other eight patients,3 s 68 six required further surgery
2. Colon bypass of the esophagus;HB, I.Stephens;Am J Surg,1971
3. Reconstruction ofthe oesophagus. Ann R Coll Surg Engl;Belsey, R.,1983
4. Reconstruction of the oesophagus with left colon;Belsey, R.;J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg,1965
5. Esophageal reconstruction;Skinner, D.B.;Am J Surg,1980