[Value of endoscopy in the diagnosis of postoperative gastritis caused by alkaline reflux]. / Valor de la endoscopia en el diagnóstico de la gastritis postoperatoria por reflujo alcalino.

OBJECTIVE: A long term retrospective study comparing endoscopic lesions and their relationship with symptoms and histological lesions of postoperative Alkaline Reflux Gastritis (ARG) between partial gastrectomy Billroth II (n = 25) and the Roux-en-Y (n = 36) is presented. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In patients operated on with both techniques the clinical, endoscopic and histological aspects are studied. RESULTS: The patients operated on with the Billroth II technique present a higher frequency of bile in the gastric remnant and mucosal lesions in the endoscopic study (p < 0.001) compared with the Roux-en-Y group. Bile and mucosal lesions on the gastric stump are more common with symptoms and histological lesions of postoperative ARG. CONCLUSIONS: The endoscopic evaluation is a valid and reliable examination in the diagnosis and follow up of postoperative ARG.