title: Evaluation and surgical correction of esophagitis after partial gastrectomy.
abstract: Among 51 patients with refractory symptomatic reflux esophagitis seen during an 18-month period, 8 (16%) had undergone previous partial gastrectomy. Either Billroth II (n = 6) or Billroth I (n = 2) resection had been carried out for peptic ulceration 18 months to 30 years beforehand. Each patients was evaluated by symptom scoring, endoscopy, and 24-hour pH monitoring plus a 16-hour esophageal aspiration study, in which 2-hourly aliquots were measured for acid, pepsin, conjugated and unconjugated bile acids, and trypsin. After conversion to a 45 cm Roux-en-Y gastroenterostomy, symptom scoring and endoscopy were repeated at 6 to 12 months in all eight patients. Pepsin, acid, and unconjugated bile acids were seldom present in esophageal aspirates. Conjugated bile acids in concentrations up to 30 mmol/L and trypsin up to 428 micrograms/ml were found in cases of severe esophagitis, mostly during nocturnal rest. Esophagitis, heartburn, regurgitation, and bilious vomiting were eradicated by Roux-en-Y conversion, but other postgastrectomy symptoms (early satiety, dumping, epigastric pain, and diarrhea) were largely unchanged. Postgastrectomy esophagitis resistant to medical therapy seems likely to be caused by nocturnal exposure to trypsin and conjugated bile acids; it is well controlled by a 45 cm Roux-en-Y conversion.
authors.affiliation: University Department of Surgery, Bristol Royal Infirmary, U.K.
authors.forename: D C
authors.initials: DC
authors.lastname: Gotley
authors.forename: D E
authors.initials: DE
authors.lastname: Ball
authors.forename: R W
authors.initials: RW
authors.lastname: Owen
authors.forename: R C
authors.initials: RC
authors.lastname: Williamson
authors.forename: M J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Cooper
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000713:Anastomosis, Roux-en-Y; D004942:Esophagitis, Peptic / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D004945:Esophagoscopy; D004947:Esophagus / Q000737:chemistry; D005260:Female; D005743:Gastrectomy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013396:Suction