[Early complications with colon esophageal substitution for children via retrosternal].

OBJECTIVE: To describe the early complications of esophageal replacement with colon in children.

METHODS: Descriptive cross-sectional study from 2005 to 2011 in pediatric patients diagnosed with alkali intake, esophageal atresia or esophageal injury traumatic esophageal replacement handled via retrosternal colon. Descriptive statistical analysis using SPSS 20.0.

RESULTS: We included 19 esophageal replacements, age seven (4-15), 13 (68%) male and six (31%) female. Initial diagnosis of ingestion of caustic 13 patients (68%) and type III esophageal atresia six cases (32%). Of the six esophageal atresia, four(66%) had dehiscence plasty, one (17%) long-gap atresia and type 1 (17%) esophageal perforation by dilatation. The segment of transverse colon was used in eight (42%), transverse/descending seven (36%), ascending/transverse three (15%), and descending colon one (5%). Early complications were pneumothorax one patient (5%), pneumonia three (15%), sepsis three (15%), intestinal obstruction due to adhesions two (10%), intussusception one (5%), cervical fistula three (15%). One death from sepsis (5%) at four days after surgery.

DISCUSSION: Esophageal replacement with colon is a good alternative for esophageal replacement; the most frequent early complications were cervical fistula, pneumonia, and sepsis.