Bakamjian island flap for patch esophagoplasty of the cervical esophagus.

Esophageal stricture may result from chemical injury, progressive ischemic fibrosis, constriction of a previous esophagocolonic anastomosis site, or vascular insufficiency of the transferred gut. The Bakamjian skin island flap was employed as a patch for esophagoplasty to relieve focal esophageal stricture in 12 patients. One of these patients developed postoperative leakage, which necessitated a secondary revision. The others had a smooth postoperative course and were able to resume oral intake with ease. It is concluded that the Bakamjian skin island flap is a reliable and convenient method for repairing short defects of the cervical esophagus in one stage.