Published online Mar 27, 2017. doi: 10.4240/wjgs.v9.i3.92
Peer-review started: August 26, 2016
First decision: September 27, 2016
Revised: November 12, 2016
Accepted: January 16, 2017
Article in press: January 18, 2017
Published online: March 27, 2017
We describe the case of a patient successfully reconstructed with laparoscopic retrosternal gastric pull-up after esophagectomy for unresectable posterior mediastinal inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor, eroding into the esophagus and compressing the airways. A partial esophagectomy with esophagostomy was performed for treatment of esophageal pleural fistula and empyema, while the airways were managed with the placement of an endobronchial stent. Gastrointestinal reconstruction was performed using a laparoscopic approach to create a retrosternal tunnel for gastric conduit pull-up and cervical anastomosis. The patient was discharged uneventfully after 6 d, and has done very well at home with normal diet.
Core tip: Retrosternal gastric tube has been used in various clinical scenarios, for both malignant and benign esophageal disease. The laparoscopic approach allowed for a simple, fast, and controlled dissection of the retrosternal plain and reconstruction of the alimentary tract. This approach should be considered as a valid alternative for reconstruction of the alimentary tract in patients where the prevertebral route is not available.