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Vacuum assisted closure system in the management of cervical anastomotic leakage after gastric pull-up

^a Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, University Medical School, University Medical School, Auenbruggerplatz 29, A-8036 Graz, Austria
^b Department of Thoracic Surgery and Hyperbaric Surgery, University Medical School, University Medical School, Auenbruggerplatz 29, A-8036 Graz, Austria

^* Corresponding author. Tel.: +43-316-385-3302; fax: +43-316-385-4679
alf.maier{at}kfunigraz.ac.at

We propose the use of the vacuum assisted closure (VAC) system for the management of cervical anastomotic leakage after esophagectomy and reconstruction by gastric pull-up. The VAC system converts the open cervical wound into a controlled closed wound with major advantages: No need of a nasogastric tube for decompression, no need of a nasoenteric tube for feeding because of the possibility to maintain a semisolid oral diet and no need of frequent daily changes of dressings.

Key Words: Esophagectomy; Gastric pull-up; Cervical anastomotic leakage; Vacuum assisted closure system