Stomach duties being assumed by colon in new life-sustaining development

In a remarkable medical milestone, doctors at Hà Nội Oncology Hospital in Vietnam have successfully performed a complex oesophageal reconstruction surgery on a 51-year-old male patient. The patient, who was initially diagnosed with stage III oesophageal cancer in 2019, had previously undergone radical chemotherapy, radiotherapy, esophagectomy, lymph node dissection, and esophagoplasty with a gastric tube.

Upon admission to the hospital, the patient was diagnosed with cT3N0M0 gastric cancer. During a recent routine check-up, a malignant lesion was found in the gastric tube, the site previously used for the anastomosis.

Dr Lê Văn Thành, Deputy Director of the hospital and Head of the Department of General Surgery, led the team of doctors in this challenging surgery. The doctors proposed a plan to remove the entire stomach tube, perform radical lymph node dissection, and reconstruct the oesophagus using a segment of the left colon.

The surgery, which required close coordination between teams, was performed with the involvement of Dr. Nguyen Van Nam, the doctor who handled the esophageal reconstruction procedure. The doctors brought the colon up into the chest and neck to connect it to the remaining part of the oesophagus.

The surgery not only helped to completely remove the cancerous mass but also focused on maintaining the patient's quality of life after cancer treatment. The successful implementation of oesophageal reconstruction surgery using colon marks a new step forward in the professional capacity of the medical team at Hà Nội Oncology Hospital.

Creating a food tract using the colon requires ensuring the length and good blood circulation of the graft and considering factors related to the anatomical structure that has been changed due to the previous surgery, according to Dr Thành. The surgery completely replaced the digestive function of the removed stomach, and the patient was able to eat again soon after the surgery.

Post-operative pathology results showed stage III gastric cancer. The patient will continue to receive adjuvant chemotherapy to improve overall treatment effectiveness. The hospital aims to ensure the patient's life function, quality of life, and ability to reintegrate into society after treatment.

This groundbreaking surgery highlights the commitment of Hà Nội Oncology Hospital to providing advanced medical care and innovative treatments for cancer patients in Vietnam.