Barrett's mucosa seen within remnant esophagus after surgical resection of esophageal carcinoma

Abstract

A 61 years old male with esophageal carcinoma underwent right transthoracic esophagectomy and 3-field (cervix, mediastinum, abdomen) lymph node dissection. Protease inhibitor and a H₂-Blocker were prescribed, but postoperative endoscopic findings and a biopsy specimen revealed Grade C esophagitis and patches of Barrett's mucosa at the oral side of the anastomosis.
Patients undergoing esophagectomy and gastric tube reconstruction may develop Barrett's mucosa, because these patients are exposed to the loss of the mechanism to prevent reflux of tbe gastric contents. We report on a patient whose remnant esophagus was periodically followed up with endoscopy and biopsy for 7 years after surgical resection of esophageal carcinoma, and in whom patches of Barrett's mucosa developed within the remnant esophagus.