Perioperative considerations in esophageal replacement for epidermolysis bullosa: report of two cases successfully treated by colon interposition

Abstract

Esophageal stricture commonly occurs in patients with epidermolysis bullosa dystrophica recessive (EBDR), but esophageal replacement is considered a high risk procedure because of limited exposure of the airway, malnutrition, and postoperative skin bullae to secondary infection. Recent innovations in care, including preoperative parenteral nutrition, topical care for bullae and skin ulceration, fiberoptic tracheal intubation, electrocardiogram monitoring with metallic pacer leads, and an overall concern to protect the fragile intact skin, have improved the results of esophageal replacement. Utilizing these adjunctive measures, ileocolonic substernal interposition has been successfully performed in a 26-yr-old male and a 19-yr-old female at our institution. Despite cervical anastomotic stricture requiring resection in one, and an obstructive cervical esophageal bullous developing acutely 5 yr after operation in the second, both patients now gum or chew a solid diet. The first patient also benefited from total esophagectomy for squamous dysplasia detected at the time of esophageal replacement. Multidisciplinary management by the surgeon, gastroenterologist, anesthesiologist, and dermatologist makes esophageal replacement available for younger patients with epidermolysis bullosa dystrophica recessive and esophageal strictures.