Colon interposition for the replacement of the esophagus in children

Thirty-two new cases of colon interposition for esophageal reconstruction are presented. Only one late death occurred in this series, which was unrelated to the colon interposition. Fifteen severe complications were observed in five patients with preexisting esophageal atresia and previously complicated courses following disastrous primary esophageal repairs. The most common complication was pneumonia which occurred 13 times. Five late strictures responded well to dilatation or revision. Long-term weight gain was compared between a group of colon transplant patients and a group of patients with repaired esophageal atresia. Although the esophageal atresia group followed the 25th percentile and the colon interposition group followed the 3rd percentile on the growth curve, no significant difference existed in weight gain over 12 yr.