[Therapeutic problems in alkaline reflux esophagitis]

Alkaline reflux esophagitis occurs most frequently after gastric surgery, especially after total gastrectomy. Anastomoses causing this disease are esophagoduodenostomy or esophagojejunostomy end-to-side. As in the stomach bile, pancreatic juice and small bowel contents cause erosions and ulcers of the esophageal mucosa. For symptomatic treatment aluminium-hydroxide-antacids or cholestyramine can be tried. A definite cure of alkaline esophagitis can only be reached by reversing the anastomosis, creating an interposition of the jejunum between esophagus and duodenum of 50 to 60 cm in length or a Roux-Y-esophagojejunostomy, the minimum length of the loop being 40 cm.