Substernal Colonic Interposition After Previous Coronary Artery Bypass Graft in a Patient With a Patent Left Internal Thoracic Artery Graft: A Surgical Challenge

Esophageal reconstruction by a substernal route with a colonic conduit after previous esophagectomy and end-cervical esophagostomy in the presence of a patent left internal thoracic artery graft to the left anterior descending coronary artery is a technically challenging procedure. In this case report, we describe a safe approach to this difficult problem. With proper planning and careful dissection, substernal esophageal reconstruction after previous sternotomy in patients with a patent left internal thoracic artery graft is feasible and can be safely performed.