[Five cases of peptic ulcer of gastric tube after radical esophagectomy for esophageal carcinoma and analysis of Helicobacter pylori infection at gastric tube].

The peptic ulcer of gastric tube using for esophageal reconstruction is rare. We report herein five cases of peptic ulcer of gastric tube used for esophageal reconstruction after esophagectomy for esophageal carcinoma. The reconstructive route, in all cases, was posterior mediastinum. In one case, 10 days after esophagectomy, he had high grade fever and pneumonia of right lower lobe of lung. Endoscopic examination revealed a deep ulcerative lesion on anterior wall of gastric tube and fistula formation on membranous part of trachea. The partial resection of gastric tube was performed for closing to tracheo-gastro fistula. In other four cases, the location of ulcer was middle or lower third of gastric tube. One had multiple peptic ulcer and other had single. Two cases of four underwent post irradiation therapy. One case of then, the Helicobacter infection detected using by rapid urease test and histological examination. We analyzed of Helicobacter pylori infection and serum gastrin level of gastric tube in outpatients who have used gastric tube for esophageal reconstruction after radical esophagectomy. Helicobacter pylori infection was positive at 56% (9/16) of all patients. The serum gastrin level of patients who was positive of Helicobacter pylori infection is not significantly higher than that of patients who was negative. We consider that post operative irradiation therapy and Helicobacter infection might play in development of peptic ulcer of gastric tube.