Causes of reflux esophagitis after esophageal cancer surgery

Although surgical treatment is the most effective treatment for early esophageal cancer, patients often experience some uncomfortable symptoms after surgery, which we usually call complications. Reflux esophagitis is a common complication after esophageal cancer surgery.

Reflux esophagitis refers to a non-infectious inflammation of the esophageal mucosa caused by ulcers in the esophageal mucosa due to dysfunction of the sphincter in the lower esophagus, which cannot prevent the contents of the stomach and duodenum from non-transiently refluxing into the esophagus.

The main manifestation of reflux esophagitis is that acidic liquid or food flows back from the stomach and esophagus to the pharynx or mouth when the body is bent forward after each meal or when sleeping in bed at night, accompanied by symptoms such as burning or pain behind the sternum and difficulty swallowing. Pathological changes can show that the esophageal mucosa is congested, edematous, brittle, and easy to bleed, and even eroded and ulcerated, resulting in esophageal stenosis and contracture. Clinical observation shows that some patients may coexist with diseases such as gastritis, duodenal ulcer or esophageal hiatal hernia.

For patients with esophageal cancer who develop reflux esophagitis after surgery, certain treatment measures can be taken to alleviate the situation. For example, patients after esophageal cancer surgery should take a semi-recumbent or sitting position, and can choose liquid or semi-liquid food. It is advisable to eat small meals frequently and swallow slowly. They should also avoid foods with strong irritation, such as tobacco, alcohol, and spicy food. They should pay attention to avoid lying flat after meals, raise their heads 20 to 30 cm when lying in bed, and the belt should not be tied too tightly. They should also pay attention to avoid causing excessive abdominal pressure.