Is esophagectomy a major surgery?

An esophagectomy is a major surgical procedure that involves removing part or all of the esophagus. This may be performed due to cancer of the esophagus, or trauma to the esophagus. The surgery carries risks, some of which may be life-threatening. Recovery from the procedure can take time.

How long does esophagectomy surgery take?

During the procedure, the diseased esophageal tissue is removed (which may include any surrounding cancerous tissue and adjacent lymph nodes), and part of the stomach is then used to rebuild the esophagus. The operation, whether performed minimally invasive or open, typically takes between four and six hours.

How serious is esophageal surgery?

Like most serious operations, surgery of the esophagus has some risks. Short-term risks include reactions to anesthesia, more bleeding than expected, blood clots in the lungs or elsewhere, and infections. Most people will have at least some pain after the operation, which can usually be helped with pain medicines.

Can you live a normal life after esophagectomy?

Most people report improved quality of life after esophagectomy, but some symptoms usually continue. Your doctor will likely recommend comprehensive follow-up care to prevent complications after surgery and to help you adjust your lifestyle.

Is esophagectomy life threatening?

Esophagectomy for esophageal cancer is associated with a substantial risk of life-threatening complications and a limited long-term survival.

Surgery for Esophagus Cancer, Esophagectomy - Mayo Clinic

What is life like after an esophagectomy?

It may cause you to feel light-headed or sick to your stomach, or to have cramps and diarrhea. Most people go back to work or their normal routine after 6 to 12 weeks. You will need more time to get better if you need other treatment for cancer, such as chemotherapy.

What is the most common complication after esophagectomy?

Overall postoperatively most common complications are respiratory(pneumonia, aspiration),followed by conduit related(leak, necrosis)and cardiac(primarily atrial fibrillation).

How much weight do you lose after esophagectomy?

Particularly, weight loss of 10%–15% of the body weight is observed in half of the patients after oesophagectomy[24]. Scarpa et al. and Wu et al. reported that MIO prevents the decrease in postoperative nutritional status [8, 9]. However, some patients substantially lost their body weight after MIO [25, 26].

Can you eat normally after esophagectomy?

You will be on a liquid diet at first. Then you may eat soft foods for the first 4 to 8 weeks after surgery. A soft diet contains only foods that are mushy and do not need much chewing. When you are back to a normal diet, be careful eating steak and other dense meats because they may be hard to swallow.

Can your stomach stretch after esophagectomy?

When the esophagus is removed, the stomach is pulled up into the chest and reattached to keep the food passageway intact. This stretching of the stomach takes away the ability to eat large meals, as there is no longer a large "holding area" for food to be digested.

What is the success rate of esophagectomy?

The survival rates after transthoracic or transhiatal esophagectomy were respectively 31.2% and 27.8% by 5 years, and 21.3% and 16.6% by 10 years, and the median time of survival after transthoracic or transhiatal esophagectomy was 20.5 months (95% CI: 10.4–57.6) and 16.4 months (95% CI: 10.6–28.7), respectively.

What hospital does the most esophagectomy?

Mayo Clinic is a high-volume center for esophagectomy. Each year, Mayo Clinic surgeons perform around 130 esophagectomies, ranking among the top in the country.

How long do you stay in the hospital after esophagus surgery?

Most people stay in the hospital for 7 to 14 days after this surgery. You may spend 1 to 3 days in the intensive care unit (ICU) right after surgery. During your hospital stay, you will: Be asked to sit on the side of your bed and walk on the same day or day after surgery.

Is esophagus surgery painful?

Pain – As with any surgery, a certain amount of pain is to be expected. For most patients, pain can be effectively managed with medication. Trouble swallowing –Trouble swallowing can be a side effect of esophageal cancer surgery if the patient's esophagus becomes narrower.

How much does an esophagectomy cost?

The median 90- day Medicare cost of an esophagectomy in our analysis was more than $45,000, and 51% of patients had one or more complications after esophagectomy.

When is esophagectomy needed?

In the majority of people who need an open esophagectomy, cancer has already spread to the lymph nodes, stomach, or other organs. An open esophagectomy might also be performed if you have other conditions that make the passage of solid food and liquids into the stomach uncomfortable.

Can you drink alcohol after esophagectomy?

Avoid alcohol. Do not lie down after eating. Wait at least 3 hours before going to bed after eating.

Can esophagectomy cause stomach problems?

After surgery, you may have problems such as getting full too fast, heartburn and reflux, stomach discomfort, bloating, nausea, diarrhea or dumping syndrome. Some people also experience discomfort or “sticking” when swallowing foods. Nutrition plays an important role in managing these symptoms.

How long does a damaged esophagus take to heal?

It might take 1 to 3 weeks to heal. Follow-up care is a key part of your treatment and safety. Be sure to make and go to all appointments, and call your doctor or nurse call line if you are having problems.

Is it possible to transplant an esophagus?

Vascular surgery to reconstruct the esophagus

In some cases, the doctor will use a section of your small intestine to replace your esophagus and create a new connection between your mouth and stomach. This is called an intestinal auto-transplant.

Does an esophagectomy change your voice?

Conclusions: Surgical procedures in the vicinity of the recurrent laryngeal nerve appear to be the cause of postoperative phonation disorders in patients undergoing esophagectomy for esophageal cancer, and these disorders can occur in the absence of symptoms such as hoarseness and dysphonia.

Is coughing normal after esophagectomy?

After an oesophagectomy some people develop a dry cough which can be persistent and cause you to feel sick and regurgitate. Try to keep your throat moist, suck a sweet or try codeine linctus syrup which will suppress it. Also try not to talk too much as this can exacerbate it.

Can you live without an esophagus and stomach?

It may be surprising to learn a person can live without a stomach. But the body is able to bypass the stomach's main function of storing and breaking down food to gradually pass to the intestines. Absent a stomach, food consumed in small quantities can move directly from the esophagus to the small intestine.

What happens after esophagus is removed?

After it is removed, the esophagus is rebuilt from part of your stomach or part of your large intestine.

How do you eat after esophageal surgery?

Eat Small Meals

Since the capacity of your stomach is reduced after the surgery, you should eat small but frequent meals (four to six times per day) — for example, three main meals and two snacks. Do not force yourself to eat to the point of discomfort. Stop eating immediately when you feel full.