Help with post surgery symptoms baffling docs.

These are comm I n post operative complications seen in patients who've undergone of colonic interposition vs Iver-Lewis esophagectomy. The colonic onterpositional surgery is more complicated in that in requires surgical resection from either left or bowel sections with their intact vascular supplt and then multiple suturing and anastomoses to the remaing esophageal root. As such, there is more potential for vascular & tissue leaks and increased periods of adjustment and adaptation of the transplanted segment to its new milue re re-innervation for contractility and re-establishment of its vascular supply. During this adapation period the colonic segment will undergo a period of reactive inflammatory changes that may result in epithelial cell stuffing, excessive mucus and intercellular content secretion into the lumen of the transplanted segment and this may trigger wrenching nausea, aspiration, loss of aptitude etc. These symptoms are usually transient and improve with time post-surgically, but every patients post surgical progress is unique. If your husband' problems persist he should be evaluated for the potential issues I identified above, he may require surgical salvage or revision. His symptoms may also be medically managed with various expectorant, anti-secretagogs and anti-emetic meds. PMA and moderate exercise are critical to his healing process. I wish you both the best in your journey with this terrible disease.

My husband had an esophagectomy last December 18 and was in the hospital for 6 months due to leaks and strictures. He was coughing and bringing up mucus and throwing up. He is home now, and although it has gotten somewhat better, he had a dilation and stent put in. They keep telling him it’s just a matter of time before it stops. I hope they’re right.

Thanks for posting. Did he have his colon used or stomach? My guy is in the hospital now after having been discharged in late June after 2 months in hospital post surgery. He had leaks too. He did pretty well the first 2 months honestly till the coughing and retching was getting out of hand...same deal, mucous, bile etc. He was admitted from the ER to get a definitive diagnosis and plan in place. The barium from the first test has not completely left his body so until that happens he cant have the endoscopy. The doc thinks that will tell them more. Ugh...at least I see on this platform that most survive the surgery. It's just a long haul and everyone's journey is unique.