title: Alimentary satisfaction, gastrointestinal symptoms, and quality of life 10 or more years after esophagectomy with gastric pull-up.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to evaluate alimentary satisfaction, gastrointestinal symptoms, and quality of life ≥10 years after esophagectomy with gastric pull-up.
  
  
  METHODS
  Patients who had undergone esophagectomy with gastric pull-up before 2003 were interviewed regarding their alimentary function and completed the Gastrointestinal Quality of Life and RAND short-form, 36-item, questionnaires.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We identified 67 long-term survivors after esophagectomy and gastric pull-up. Of these, 40 were located, and all agreed to participate. The median age was 75 years, and the median follow-up period was 12 years (interquartile range, 10-19). Most patients (88%) had no dysphagia, 90% were able to eat ≥3 meals/day, and 93% finished ≥50% of a typical meal. The mean alimentary comfort rating was 9 of 10. Dumping, diarrhea ≥3 times/day, or regurgitation occurred in 33% of patients. Six patients (15%) had aspiration episodes requiring hospitalization. The median weight loss after surgery was 26 lbs, and the current median body mass index was 25 kg/m(2). Only 2 patients were underweight (body mass index, <18.5 kg/m(2)). The median Gastrointestinal Quality of Life score was 2.9 of 4. The RAND scores were at the population mean in 1 category (physical function) and above the normal mean in the remaining 7 categories.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Long-term nutritional status, quality of life, and satisfaction with eating were excellent after esophagectomy with gastric pull-up. Gastrointestinal side effects were common, but serious complications such as aspiration were uncommon. Pessimism regarding the long-term ability to enjoy a meal and live with a good quality of life after esophagectomy is unwarranted.
authors: University of Southern California Keck School of Medicine, Los Angeles, Calif.
authors: Christina L
authors: CL
authors: Greene
authors: University of Southern California Keck School of Medicine, Los Angeles, Calif. Electronic address: Steven.DeMeester@med.usc.edu.
authors: Steven R
authors: SR
authors: DeMeester
authors: University of Southern California Keck School of Medicine, Los Angeles, Calif.
authors: Stephanie G
authors: SG
authors: Worrell
authors: University of Southern California Keck School of Medicine, Los Angeles, Calif.
authors: Daniel S
authors: DS
authors: Oh
authors: University of Southern California Keck School of Medicine, Los Angeles, Calif.
authors: Jeffrey A
authors: JA
authors: Hagen
authors: University of Southern California Keck School of Medicine, Los Angeles, Calif.
authors: Tom R
authors: TR
authors: DeMeester
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D004435:Eating; D004938:Esophageal Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D016629:Esophagectomy / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D005767:Gastrointestinal Diseases / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009752:Nutritional Status; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011788:Quality of Life; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D017741:Survivors / Q000523:psychology*; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome