PURPOSE

The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of preoperative angiography in patients undergoing colonic interposition.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We searched the electronic database of our radiology department for the term “mesenteric angiography” over a 10-year period from January 1, 2001 to December 31, 2010.

RESULTS

We identified 54 patients who had undergone mesenteric angiography before esophageal reconstruction, 16 of whom proceeded to have colonic interposition surgery. One patient (6.3%) developed graft necrosis, two (12.5%) developed an anastomotic leak, and three (18.8%) developed an anastomotic stricture. These complication rates are similar to those reported in the surgical literature for patients who did or did not undergo routine preoperative angiography.

CONCLUSION

There is no significant difference in the rates of complications secondary to ischemia (graft necrosis, anastomotic stricture, and anastomotic leak) in patients who undergo routine preoperative angiography as compared with those who do not.

Keywords: angiography , surgical anastomosis , colon, esophageal neoplasms