Simultaneous creation of an enterostomy for enteral nutrition during esophagectomy has been useful in our experience, but bowel obstruction associated with intestinal fistula remains a problem. Therefore, in this study, we retrospectively reviewed 18 patients with esophageal cancer who underwent transdiaphragmatic transgastric tube enteral feeding catheter placement during gastric tube reconstruction via the mediastinal route after esophagectomy from November 2012 to March 2014. The catheter was guided from the gastric tube into the gastrointestinal tract, with the tip placed in the jejunum distal to the ligament of Treitz. From the gastric tube, the catheter was guided along the diaphragm to the anterior abdominal wall through the extraperitoneal route. No bowel obstruction associated with catheter placement has been observed in any of the patients from the time of surgery to this writing. Also, the procedure enabled jejunostomy use for more than 5 years, similar to conventional jejunostomy. We experienced 1 case of catheter deviation into the mediastinum. Overall, transgastric tube enteral feeding catheter placement for reconstruction of the posterior mediastinal gastric tube was useful for avoiding intestinal obstruction associated with jejunostomy. However, there may be a risk of catheter displacement into the mediastinum.

We report here 2 cases of traumatic diaphragmatic hernia. Case 1 was a 76-year-old man who was injured in a road traffic accident (RTA). Chest X-ray and computed tomography (CT) revealed prolapse of the stomach into the left thoracic cavity. We performed laparotomy with a diagnosis of traumatic left diaphragmatic hernia. A 12-cm hole was seen in the central tendon of the left diaphragm and this was repaired by suturing. Case 2 was a 75-year-old man who was also injured in an RTA. Chest X-ray and CT revealed prolapse of the stomach and transverse colon into the left thoracic cavity. We performed laparotomy with a diagnosis of traumatic left diaphragmatic hernia. A 15-cm hole was seen in the central tendon of the left diaphragm and this was repaired by suturing. Traumatic diaphragmatic hernia is a relatively rare condition and one that requires surgical repair. It is important to make prompt diagnosis with appropriate radiological investigations. Additionally, patients with diaphragm hernia caused by blunt trauma often have injuries to other organs. Care should be taken so as not to miss associated injuries.