Quality of life after esophageal surgery.

QOL measurement is being reported with increasing frequency in the surgical literature. The authors and others have found that the use of a generic instrument such as the SF36 used in combination with a disease-specific instrument will provide the most comprehensive information. GERD is a significant health problem that primarily affects the QOL of a large segment of the population. New therapies for GERD continue to be developed and introduced into clinical practice. QOL assessment should be an important part of the evaluation of these new therapies. Similarly, the management of esophageal cancer and high-grade dysplasia is also controversial. QOL assessment should be a crucial factor in determining which surgical or nonoperative approach is used for these patients.