Minimally invasive technic for construction of a cervical esophageal conduit.

Most technics of cervical esophageal reconstruction involve extensive surgical dissection with its attendant hazards. The present report describes a simplified technic that causes minimal trauma to the patient. A partially deepithelialized, superficial skin tube is created without elevation of flaps and joined to the existing stomata. The technic was succesfully used in a frail, five year old patient who had three previous unsuccessful attempts at colonic interposition for a tracheo esophageal fistula.