Efficacy of gastric blood supply redistribution by transarterial embolization: Preoperative procedure to prevent postoperative anastomotic leaks following esophagoplasty for esophageal carcinoma

Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of preoperative redistribution of gastric blood supply on the prevention of anastomotic leakage following surgical reconstruction of the esophagus, Methods: In 37 patients with esophageal carcinoma, transarterial embolization (TAE) of the left gastric, right gastric, and splenic arteries was preoperatively performed with coils so that gastric blood supply was dependent only on the right gastroepiploic artery. Results: In 34 of 37 patients, preoperative redistribution was successfully performed. The gastric tissue blood flow (TBF) of a gastric tube was higher than in 12 nonredistributed patients. Reduction in the gastric TBF during preparation of a gastric tube was 27.5% in successful patients, in contrast to 68.9% in 12 nonredistributed patients (p < 0.005). Conclusion: Preoperative redistribution by TAE reduced the drop in gastric TBF during preparation of a gastric tube and helped prevent postoperative anastomotic leakage in esophageal reconstruction.