Columnar epithelium morphology after esophagectomy: clinical insight into the development of Barrett’s esophagus

Background The presence of Barrett’s mucosa in the esophageal remnant is a result of post-esophagectomy anastomotic site exposure to gastric acid and is regarded as a human model of Barrett’s esophagus onset. Here, we attempted to clarify the relationship between duodenogastric reflux and formation of columnar epithelium by following the changes over time after esophagectomy. Methods A total of 96 patients underwent esophagectomy due to superficial cancer from April 2000 to March 2018 were included in this study. Cases were divided into two groups according to the reconstruction technique after esophagectomy as either the gastric pull-up (Ga) group and ileocolonic interposition (Ic) group. Previously obtained endoscopic pictures of the cases were reviewed retrospectively and chronologically. Results There were 24 cases of columnar epithelium in the Ga group (42%) and 1 in the Ic group (2.6%) ( P < 0.01) with 32 reflux cases (56%) in the Ga group and 1 (2.6%) in the Ic group ( P < 0.01). Reflux precedes the development of columnar epithelium in both the Ga- and Ic groups. Multivariate analysis revealed surgical technique (odds ratio 10.6, 95% CI 1.2–97.5, P = 0.037) and reflux (odds ratio 4.5, 95% CI 1.3–15.6, P = 0.0017) as risk factors. Conclusions The development of columnar epithelium was preceded by reflux comprising principally gastric acid and was strongly associated with a strong inflammatory state.