Ghrelin reduction after esophageal substitution and its correlation to postoperative body weight loss in esophageal cancer patients.

Background: Body weight loss is observed commonly after esophagectomy with gastric tube reconstruction in thoracic esophageal cancer patients. The functional and anatomical alteration of the stomach by this surgery should affect ghrelin secretion, a novel gastric hormone that upregulates body weight through appetite control and metabolic reaction.

Methods: Early-phase postoperative alteration of serum ghrelin was measured before and at day 3 and day 7 after surgery in 9 patients.

Postoperative ghrelin levels and delayed recovery from body weight loss after distal or total gastrectomy.

Background: Body weight loss is a common but one of the most serious sequelae after gastrectomy. Ghrelin, a novel gastric hormone that up-regulates body weight through appetite control and metabolic reaction, seems to be affected by gastric surgery.

Patients And Methods: Early postoperative alteration of serum ghrelin was evaluated at days 3 and 7 after gastrectomy for 13 hospital patients.