Objective: To determine the nature of reflux after esophagectomy and i
nterposition of right colon. Design: A case series. Setting: A univers
ity hospital. Patients: Five patients (mean age 43 years) in whom righ
t colon had been interposed after total esophagectomy. Interventions:
Endoscopy and biopsy, manometry, 24-hour ambulatory pH testing.Main Ou
tcome Measures: Endoscopic and histologic appearances of the colon, ty
pe of motor activity in the grafted colon and the type of reflux. Resu
lts: In all patients the grafted colon was macroscopically and microsc
opically normal. There was nonperistaltic motor activity in the interp
osed colon in two patients. All patients had an abnormal pattern of al
kaline reflux, and one patient had abnormal acid reflux. Conclusions:
The clinical effect of alkaline reflux in patients with colonic interp
osition after total esophagectomy may be slight. Histologic and gross
changes are likely to be minimal.