Esophagectomy

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Mar 10, 2025.

• Care notes
• Ambulatory
• Discharge
• Español

An esophagectomy is surgery to remove part or all of your esophagus. An esophagectomy is usually done to treat cancer of the esophagus. It can also be done if your esophagus does not work properly or has severe damage or trauma.

DISCHARGE INSTRUCTIONS:

Seek care immediately if:

• You have new difficulty swallowing.
• You have difficulty breathing.

Contact your healthcare provider if:

• You have a fever.
• Your incisions become red, swollen, and warm to the touch.
• You have increased pain.
• You have leaking or bleeding from your incision site.
• Your drains come out of your skin or are not draining.
• You have repeated vomiting or diarrhea.
• You have questions or concerns about your condition or care.

Medicines:

• Prescription pain medicine may be given. Ask how to take prescription pain medicine safely.
• Antibiotics help treat or prevent a bacterial infection.
• Medicine may be given to prevent reflux. Reflux is when food or fluid moves up into the esophagus from the stomach.
• Restart your home medicines as directed by your provider. Ask when you can start taking blood thinners. If you have diabetes, you may need to adjust diabetic medicines until you can eat normally. Blood thinners help prevent blood clots. Clots can cause strokes, heart attacks, and death. Many types of blood thinners are available. Your healthcare provider will give you specific instructions for the type you are given. The following are general safety guidelines to follow while you are taking a blood thinner:
  • Watch for bleeding and bruising. Watch for bleeding from your gums or nose. Watch for blood in your urine and bowel movements. Use a soft washcloth on your skin, and a soft toothbrush to brush your teeth. This can keep your skin and gums from bleeding. If you shave, use an electric shaver. Do not play contact sports.
  • Tell your dentist and other healthcare providers that you take a blood thinner. Wear a bracelet or necklace that says you take this medicine.
  • Do not start or stop any other medicines or supplements unless your healthcare provider tells you to. Many medicines and supplements cannot be used with blood thinners.
  • Take your blood thinner exactly as prescribed by your healthcare provider. Do not skip a dose or take less than prescribed. Tell your provider right away if you forget to take your blood thinner, or if you take too much.
• Take your medicine as directed. Contact your healthcare provider if you think your medicine is not helping or if you have side effects. Tell your provider if you are allergic to any medicine. Keep a list of the medicines, vitamins, and herbs you take. Include the amounts, and when and why you take them. Bring the list or the pill bottles to follow-up visits. Carry your medicine list with you in case of an emergency.

Prevent reflux:

• Sit up when you eat or drink. Remain sitting up at least 30 minutes after your meal.
• Drink liquids between meals. Do not drink liquids with meals unless directed by your dietitian.
• Do not have foods or drinks that may increase heartburn. Do not have spicy foods. Do not have drinks that contain caffeine, such as coffee or colas. Do not drink alcohol.
• Do not eat large meals. When you eat a lot of food at one time, your stomach needs more acid to digest it. Eat 6 small meals each day instead of 3 large ones, and eat slowly. Do not eat meals 2 to 3 hours before bedtime.
• Elevate the head of your bed. Place 6-inch blocks under the head of your bed frame. You may also use more than one pillow under your head and shoulders while you sleep.

Drugs used to treat this and similar conditions

Prevent dumping syndrome:

Dumping syndrome happens when high-sugar or high-fat foods and drinks go into your intestine too quickly after a meal. Dumping syndrome may cause you to sweat, or feel faint, weak, and dizzy. It may cause you to feel full, have a fast heart rate, or have stomach cramps. Dumping syndrome may cause you to have an upset stomach and loose bowel movements. Your provider may tell you to do the following to prevent dumping syndrome:

• Eat small meals throughout the day. Eat small meals to prevent food from moving too quickly into your intestine.
• Limit carbohydrates in your meals. Your body turns carbohydrates into sugar. Too much sugar can cause dumping syndrome. Large amounts of carbohydrates are found in pasta, breads, and pastries. Read labels to find out how many grams of carbohydrates are in your food. Ask your provider how many carbohydrates you should eat in a meal.
• Increase protein in your meals. Protein slows down your digestion. Foods that are high in protein include meat, fish, and beans. Read labels to find out how many grams of protein are in your food. Ask your provider how much protein you should eat in a meal.
• Drink liquids between meals. Drink liquids before or after meals to help food move slower through into your intestine. Ask how much liquid to drink each day and which liquids are best for you.
• Lie down for 30 minutes after you eat. Lie flat to help your body move food more slowly into your intestine. Do not lie down after a meal if you have reflux.

Do not smoke:

Nicotine can damage blood vessels and make it more difficult to heal from an esophagectomy. Smoking also increases your risk for cancer to return after treatment. You will need to remain a nonsmoker after surgery to prevent damage to your esophagus. Do not use e-cigarettes or smokeless tobacco in place of cigarettes or to help you quit. They still contain nicotine. Ask your provider for information if you currently smoke and need help to quit.

• Smokefree.gov
  Phone: 1- 800 - 784-8669
  Web Address: www.smokefree.gov
  

Wound care:

Keep your incision and feeding tube site clean and dry. Change your dressings if they are wet or dirty. Check your incision and feeding tube site for signs of infection such as pus or swelling. Wash your incision and feeding tube site as directed by your provider.

Empty your drains as directed:

You may need to write down how much you empty from your drain.

Follow up with your healthcare provider as directed:

You may need more tests or more treatment. Write down your questions so you remember to ask them at your visits.

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The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.

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