Laparoscopic repair of gastric conduit obstruction after robot-assisted minimally invasive esophagectomy: a case report

Background: Gastric conduit obstruction (GCO) is a known complication after esophagectomy. Laparoscopic revision surgery for GCO is relatively rare, with limited reports in the literature. Here, we report a case of GCO after robot-assisted subtotal esophagectomy and posterior mediastinal gastric conduit reconstruction, which was successfully repaired laparoscopically.

Case presentation: A 66-year-old man presented with a passage disorder that became noticeable 14 months after surgery. Fluid passage was difficult, and the patient opted for revision surgery. The conduit had entered and deflected into the mediastinum; it also twisted due to band formation. The revision surgery was performed laparoscopically through five ports. The bands were dissected, esophageal hiatus was sutured, and conduit re-fixed. The intraoperative endoscopy was used to confirm that the obstruction had been released. The lack of adhesion of the posterior half of the gastric conduit wall, combined with postoperative weight loss leading to a decrease in omental volume, as well as inadequate fixation during the initial surgery, are believed to have contributed to the ease of the conduit deviation into the intrathoracic cavity. In addition, the twisting of the conduit due to band formation exacerbated the obstruction.

Conclusions: Laparoscopic revision surgery may become an effective treatment option as the number of minimally invasive esophagectomies is expected to increase in the future. Furthermore, the fixation method during initial surgery should be carefully considered and optimized to prevent gastric conduit obstruction. Additionally, the use of intraoperative endoscopy to evaluate the lumen of the conduit during surgery proved beneficial in this case, highlighting its potential value in identifying and addressing obstruction.