An Unusual Postoperative Complication of Retrosternal Gastric Pull-Up for Corrosive Esophageal Stricture

Retrosternal gastric pull-up with side-to-side esophagogastric anastomosis is the surgery done for corrosive esophageal stricture unresponsive to endoscopic dilatation. This surgery is considered safe in terms of morbidity. Complications due to leak from distal esophageal staple line as a result of partially patent bypassed esophageal lumen have never been reported with this surgery. Herein, we report a case in which a leak from distal esophageal staple line resulted in intraabdominal fluid collection, a life-threatening complication. This complication necessitated a second surgery that involved exclusion of the native esophagus at the neck.