title: Indications for esophagectomy in nonmalignant Barrett's esophagus: a 10-year experience.
abstract: Between 1978 and 1988, 88 patients were referred for the surgical treatment of nonmalignant Barrett's esophagus. Nineteen patients required esophageal resection. Male/female ratio was 13:6; age range was 13 to 84 years (mean age, 49.8 years; median age, 40 years). Preoperative studies demonstrated strictures in 11 patients and ulcers in 7. Penetrating Barrett's ulcer resistant to treatment was the indication for resection in 5 patients. Ulcers penetrated to the pericardium (1 patient), pulmonary vein (1), lung (1), and mediastinum (2). Other indications for resection included undilatable strictures (2), previous operations (4), high-grade dysplasia (3), parietal cells lining the esophagus (1), patient's refusal of long-term surveillance (2), and the inability to exclude adenocarcinoma preoperatively (2). Reconstruction was achieved by colon interposition (15) or esophagogastrostomy (4), with one postoperative death. Mean follow-up was 41 months and was 100% complete. Of the 18 patients, 3 have occasional regurgitation but none have any dysphagia or weight loss. Esophageal resection is indicated in a select group of patients with Barrett's esophagus. Absolute indications include a deep penetrating ulcer confirmed intraoperatively, high-grade dysplasia, strong suspicion of cancer, and multiple previous operations. Relative indications include strictures not responding to dilation and young patients refusing long-term surveillance.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Cornell Medical College, New York, New York.
authors.forename: N K
authors.initials: NK
authors.lastname: Altorki
authors.forename: D B
authors.initials: DB
authors.lastname: Skinner
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Segalin
authors.forename: J K
authors.initials: JK
authors.lastname: Stephens
authors.forename: M K
authors.initials: MK
authors.lastname: Ferguson
authors.forename: A G
authors.initials: AG
authors.lastname: Little
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001471:Barrett Esophagus / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery*; D003106:Colon / Q000637:transplantation; D004848:Epithelium / Q000473:pathology; D004945:Esophagoscopy; D004947:Esophagus / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D008297:Male; D008679:Metaplasia; D008875:Middle Aged; D008991:Monitoring, Physiologic; D013270:Stomach / Q000637:transplantation