I was surprised when I heard this on the rounds. The patient is a 70 year old case of Carcinoma lower 1/3rd of esophagus. He had undergone Transhiatal esophgectomy. On the 2nd post op day he developed surgical emphysema of the chest neck and face which was attributed to the faulty placement of chest tube. However it settled after Chest tube was repositioned.
On the 4th and 5th post operative day there was a leak from the neck anastomosis and it was amply demonstrated when water came leaking out of the neck wound.
All the sutures in the neck were promptly opened and patient advised to eat bananas . Simultaneously feeding jejunostomy was started. The fistula healed and patient went home in the 3rd week.
The bananas are supposed to keep the tract patent and prevent stricture which is inevitable but it is a cheap and easy option available.
What are your experiences
