There are 3 adverse reactions to eating after esophageal cancer surgery

For some patients with early and middle stage esophageal cancer, surgery is undoubtedly the best treatment. However, patients with esophageal cancer who have undergone surgery may experience some adverse reactions after eating, such as difficulty swallowing, diarrhea, reflux, etc. Patients should receive timely treatment under the guidance of a doctor.

Difficulty swallowing

The diameter of the artificial esophagogastric anastomosis is usually 25mm, because there is no cardia after surgery. If the diameter of the anastomosis is too large, it will significantly increase gastric acid reflux. In addition, the artificial anastomosis also relies on scar healing, which lacks elasticity compared to the normal esophagus, so mild dysphagia (eating wontons and dumplings smoothly) does not need to be treated. If you can only eat semi-liquid food, it is necessary to determine whether there is anastomotic stenosis. At this time, a gastroscopy should be performed: on the one hand, it can rule out tumor recurrence, and on the other hand, it can have a certain estimate of dilation treatment. Generally, after 3 dilations, eating is significantly improved. After each dilation, you should insist on eating harder foods such as rice and steamed buns to maintain the results of the dilation.

diarrhea

This is a long-term complication of changes in the digestive tract structure. It is functional, not bacterial enteritis, so the use of antibiotics is harmful. Patients with diarrhea should first adjust their food types. For example, some people are easily induced by eating eggs or greasy food. Then, they should take appropriate oral drugs for functional diarrhea (such as Smecta) or digestive drugs.

Reflux

When the esophagogastric anastomosis is located at a higher position, reflux symptoms are more likely to occur because the cardia has been removed and the anti-reflux mechanism has been lost. When reflux occurs, patients should first adjust their eating habits, especially dinner, reduce the amount of liquid food and water, take slow walks before going to bed, and then take oral drugs to increase gastric motility and inhibit gastric acid secretion.