BACKGROUND: Reflux esophagitis is a significant problem in patients after an esophagectomy with gastric tube reconstruction. The pathogenesis of reflux esophagitis is not fully understood. The aim of the present study was to evaluate whether gastropyloric motility influences the pathogenesis of reflux esophagitis after an esophagectomy.METHODS: Thirty esophagectomized patients were assessed by endoscopy and manometry. The patients were classified into 3 groups according to the postoperative period as follows: Group 1 (less than 12 months), group 2 (12 to 24 months), and group 3 (more than 24 months). Gastropyloric motor activity was quantified by calculating the motility index, which is equivalent to the area under the contractile waves.RESULTS: Reflux esophagitis was observed in 80% of group 1, 80% of group 2, and 30% of group 3. The severity of reflux esophagitis decreased with time. Contractions of the gastric body were not observed in any of the patients. The antral motility index in group 3 was significantly greater than that in groups 1 and 2. The pyloric motility index progressively increased. The severity of reflux esophagitis is significantly associated with gastropyloric motor activity.CONCLUSIONS: The severity of reflux esophagitis decreases with time, coupled with recovery of antropyloric motor activity. Gastropyloric motor activity plays an important role in the genesis of reflux esophagitis after an esophagectomy.
Carcinoma, Squamous Cell Esophageal Neoplasms