Evaluation of Double Tract Reconstruction After Total Gastrectomy in Patients with Gastric Cancer: Prospective Randomized Controlled Trial

Exploratory study on the impact of intraesophageal pressure on quality of life in patients following total gastrectomy: a retrospective cohort study

BACKGROUND

The usefulness of high-resolution impedance manometry (HRIM) in patients who underwent total gastrectomy with Roux-en-Y (R-Y) anastomosis has never been well validated. This study aimed to investigate whether intraesophageal pressure affects quality of life in patients who underwent total gastrectomy with R-Y anastomosis.

METHODS

The participants comprised 12 patients who underwent total gastrectomy for gastric cancer between October 2014 and July 2022 and underwent a postsurgical HRIM examination. The association between the HRIM data and Postgastrectomy Syndrome Assessment Scale-37 (PGSAS-37) questionnaires was analyzed.

RESULTS

Esophageal body motility was normal in almost all patients. The anastomosis shape (circular stapler and overlap method with linear stapler) did not influence intraesophageal pressure. The integrated relaxation pressure and lower esophageal sphincter (LES) residual pressure during swallowing-induced relaxation were involved in "diarrhea subscale" scores (p = 0.0244 and p = 0.0244, respectively). The average maximum intrabolus pressure was not involved in postgastrectomy symptom. The contractile front velocity correlated with the "indigestion subscale," "diarrhea subscale," and "constipation subscale" (p = 0.0408, p = 0.0143, and p = 0.0060, respectively). The distal latency, i.e., the time from upper esophageal sphincter relaxation to contractile deceleration, was also associated with the "abdominal pain subscale" (p = 0.0399). LES pressure and esophageal body motility affected patients' quality of life after total gastrectomy.

CONCLUSIONS

HRIM for the evaluation of intraesophageal pressure is useful for the functional assessment of esophagojejunostomy with the R-Y reconstruction after total gastrectomy.

ARE THERE ADVANTAGES IN DOUBLE TRANSIT RECONSTRUCTION AFTER TOTAL GASTRECTOMY IN PATIENTS WITH GASTRIC CANCER? A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW

BACKGROUND

Curative treatment for gastric cancer involves tumor resection, followed by transit reconstruction, with Roux-en-Y being the main technique employed. To permit food transit to the duodenum, which is absent in Roux-en-Y, double transit reconstruction has been used, whose theoretical advantages seem to surpass the previous technique.

AIMS

To compare the clinical evolution of gastric cancer patients who underwent total gastrectomy with Roux-en-Y and double tract reconstruction.

METHODS

A systematic review was carried out on Web of Science, Scopus, EmbasE, SciELO, Virtual Health Library, PubMed, Cochrane, and Google Scholar databases. Data were collected until June 11, 2022. Observational studies or clinical trials evaluating patients submitted to double tract (DT) and Roux-en-Y (RY) reconstructions were included. There was no temporal or language restriction. Review articles, case reports, case series, and incomplete texts were excluded. The risk of bias was calculated using the Cochrane tool designed for randomized clinical trials.

RESULTS

Four studies of good methodological quality were included, encompassing 209 participants. In the RY group, there was a greater reduction in food intake. In the DT group, the decrease in body mass index was less pronounced compared to preoperative values.

CONCLUSIONS

The double tract reconstruction had better outcomes concerning body mass index and the time until starting a light diet; however, it did not present any advantages in relation to nutritional deficits, quality of life, and post-surgical complications.

Comparative analysis of two digestive tract reconstruction methods in total laparoscopic radical total gastrectomy

BACKGROUND

The incidence of gastric cancer has significantly increased in recent years. Surgical resection is the main treatment, but the method of digestive tract reconstruction after gastric cancer surgery remains controversial. In the current study, we sought to explore a reasonable method of digestive tract reconstruction and improve the quality of life and nutritional status of patients after surgery. To this end, we statistically analyzed the clinical results of patients with gastric cancer who underwent jejunal interposition double-tract reconstruction (DTR) and esophageal jejunum Roux-en-Y reconstruction (RY).

AIM

To explore the application effect of DTR in total laparoscopic radical total gastrectomy (TLTG) and evaluate its safety and efficacy.

METHODS

We collected the relevant data of 77 patients who underwent TLTG at the Fourth Hospital of Hebei Medical University from October 2021 to January 2023. Among them, 35 cases were treated with DTR, and the remaining 42 cases were treated with traditional RY. After 1:1 propensity score matching, the cases were grouped into 31 cases per group, with evenly distributed data. The clinical characteristics and short- and long-term clinical outcomes of the two groups were statistically analyzed.

RESULTS

The two groups showed no significant differences in basic data, intraoperative blood loss, number of lymph node dissections, first defecation time after operation, postoperative hospital stay, postoperative complications, and laboratory examination results on the 1st, 3rd, and 5th days after operation. The operation time of the DTR group was longer than that of the RY group [(307.58 ± 65.14) min vs (272.45 ± 62.09) min, P = 0.016], but the first intake of liquid food in the DTR group was shorter than that in the RY group [(4.45 ± 1.18) d vs (6.0 ± 5.18) d, P = 0.028]. The incidence of reflux heartburn (Visick grade) and postoperative gallbladder disease in the DTR group was lower than that in the RY group (P = 0.033 and P = 0.038). Although there was no significant difference in body weight, hemoglobin, prealbumin, and albumin between the two groups at 1,3 and 6 months after surgery, the diet of patients in the DTR group was better than that in the RY group (P = 0.031).

CONCLUSION

The clinical effect of DTR in TLTG is better than that of RY, indicating that it is a more valuable digestive tract reconstruction method in laparoscopic gastric cancer surgery.

[Double-tract reconstruction after gastrectomy for gastric cancer in patients with concomitant cardiovascular diseases]

OBJECTIVE

To demonstrate the capabilities and advantages of double-tract reconstruction after gastrectomy for gastric cancer and simultaneous approach in surgical treatment of patients with cardiovascular diseases and gastric cancer.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

We present two cases of double-tract reconstruction after gastrectomy and the gastric stump extirpation as a part of simultaneous surgical approach to patients with gastric cancer and cardiovascular diseases. A 62-year-old patient underwent simultaneous gastrectomy with double-tract reconstruction (for the first time In Russia) and aortofemoral replacement. A 61-year-old patient underwent simultaneous coronary artery bypass surgery, gastric stump extirpation with esophagogastrostomy and double-tract reconstruction.

RESULTS

In 1 case, postoperative period was complicated by subcompensated stenosis of the right ureter due to hematoma near the right common iliac artery. This event required endoscopic stenting of the right ureter with positive effect. Both patients were discharged in 16 and 23 days after surgery.

CONCLUSION

This method may be alternative to modern reconstructions. Currently, digestive tract reconstruction after gastrectomy is still important and requires further study. Simultaneous procedures in patients with cancer and cardiovascular disease became more widespread. To objectify our statements, further research is needed.

Systematic review and meta-analysis comparing proximal gastrectomy with double-tract-reconstruction and total gastrectomy in gastric and gastroesophageal junction cancer patients: Still no sufficient evidence for clinical decision-making

BACKGROUND

To compare proximal gastrectomy with double-tract reconstruction and total gastrectomy in patients with gastroesophageal junction (AEG II-III) and gastric cancer.

METHODS

We conducted systematic searches in Medline, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library until December 20, 2021 (PROSPERO registration number: CRD42021291500). Risk of bias was assessed using the revised Cochrane risk of bias tool and the ROBINS-I tool, as applicable. Evidence was rated by the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) approach.

RESULTS

One randomized controlled trial (RCT) and 13 non-RCTs with 1,317 patients (715 patients with total gastrectomy and 602 patients with proximal gastrectomy with double-tract reconstruction) were included. Patients treated by total gastrectomy had a significantly higher proportion of advanced cancer stages International Union Against Cancer IB-III (odds ratio: 0.68, 95% confidence interval: 0.51-0.91, P = .01). This heterogeneity biases the observed improved overall survival of patients after proximal gastrectomy with double-tract reconstruction (odds ratio: 0.67, 95% confidence interval: 0.44-1.01, P = .05). Both procedures were comparably efficient regarding perioperative parameters. Postoperative/preoperative bodyweight ratio (mean difference: 3.56, 95% confidence interval: 1.32-5.79, P = .002), postoperative/preoperative serum-hemoglobin ratio (mean difference 3.73, 95% confidence interval: 1.59-5.88, P < .001), and postoperative serum vitamin B₁₂ levels (mean difference 42.46, 95% confidence interval: 6.37-78.55, P = .02) were superior after proximal gastrectomy with double-tract reconstruction, while postoperative/preoperative serum-albumin ratio (mean difference 1.24, 95% confidence interval: -4.76 to 7.24, P = .69) and postoperative/preoperative serum total protein ratio (mean difference 1.12, 95% confidence interval: -2.77 to 5.00, P = .57) were not different. Health-related quality of life data were reported in only 2 studies, which found no significant advantages for proximal gastrectomy with double-tract reconstruction.

CONCLUSION

Proximal gastrectomy with double-tract reconstruction offers advantages in postoperative nutritional parameters compared to total gastrectomy (GRADE: moderate quality of evidence). Oncological effectiveness of proximal gastrectomy with double-tract reconstruction cannot be assessed (GRADE: very low quality of evidence). Further thoroughly planned randomized controlled trials in Western patient cohorts are necessary to improve treatment for gastric cancer patients.

The clinical effectiveness of the method by establishing a proximal jejunum pouch after laparoscopic total gastrectomy: A propensity score-based analysis

BACKGROUND

In this study, we propose an improved Roux-en-Y (RY) surgical method by constructing a proximal jejunum pouch (PP-RY). Postoperative results were evaluated among patients with gastric cancer who underwent PP-RY and standard RY anastomosis.

METHODS

The clinical data of patients with gastric cancer who underwent laparoscopic total gastrectomy (LTG) in our center from May 2019 to May 2020 were collected retrospectively. We compared the short-term results of patients in the PP-RY and RY groups using 1:1 propensity score matching (PSM).

RESULTS

A total of 317 patients were selected, including those who received RY (n = 249) or PP-RY (n = 68) after LTG. After PSM, both groups had a sample size of 68. During the one-year follow-up period, the incidences of postoperative dumping syndrome (5.6%) and reflux esophagitis (14.8%) were significantly lower in the PP-RY group (P = 0.001 and P = 0.010, respectively). Weight loss (6.5 ± 2.0 kg) and albumin decrease (0.2 ± 0.1 g/dl) were significantly lower (P = 0.038 and P < 0.001, respectively), and the prognostic nutritional index (PNI) was significantly higher in the PP-RY group (P = 0.009). In the QLQ-C30 scale, the degree of anorexia in the PP-RY group was significantly lower than that in the RY group (P＜0.05). In the QLQ-STO22 scale, chest and abdomen pain, dietary restriction, and anxiety were significantly lower in the PP-RY group (all P＜0.05).

CONCLUSION

PP-RY can lead to obvious improvements in nutritional status, reduce short-term complications, and improve quality of life (QoL) for patients after LTG.

Double-tract reconstruction for oesofagocardial gastric cancer: A systematic review

The number of people with gastric cardia and distal oesophageal cancers has increased in the last five years. The surgical treatment method of choice is proximal gastrectomy, with an option being reconstruction of the gastrointestinal tract. There are many reconstruction techniques for anastomosis of the oesophagus and distal parts of the digestive tract. However, all can result in complications. This systematic review aims to identify the efficacy of the double-tract reconstruction method after gastric resection. Different operative techniques for gastric reconstruction have been included in this review. The double-tract reconstruction method, which is gaining popularity among surgeons in Asia and Europe, is a promising technique that improves the early and late results of surgical treatment. This method is associated with low complications related to gastroesophageal reflux disease and dysphagia. Double-tract reconstruction is a promising method for the treatment of patients with esofagocardial gastric cancer. However, further studies are required on the long-term complications and side effects.

Landscape of interventional clinical trials involving gastrectomy for gastric cancer

Background

Gastric cancer (GC) is the third most common cause of malignancy associated mortality globally. The cornerstone of curative treatment involves surgical gastrectomy. In this study, we explore clinical trials involving gastrectomy for GC, highlighting inadequacies and underlining promising surgical interventions and strategies.

Materials and methods

On 1 May 2020, ClinicalTrials.gov was explored for interventional trials related to gastrectomy for GC, without adding limitations for location or date. All data pertaining to the trials were collected. Characteristics such as phase, duration, enrolment size, location, treatment allocation, masking and primary endpoint were analysed.

Results

One hundred thirty-eight clinical trials met the search criteria. Clinical trials were performed in only 14 countries; most of them occurring in China. Most trials (33%) were still in the recruiting phase. On average, the length of trials was 3.9 years. Most trials had parallel assignment, were randomised and masked. The primary endpoint which was mostly commonly studied was overall survival (33%). The most common intervention studied is laparoscopic gastrectomy in 43 (31%) trials.

Conclusions

Our study exposed a small number of trials, publication rate, absence of geographic variety in clinical trials involving gastrectomy for GC. Adequate management of trial design can help decrease duration and increase validity of results. More trials comparing different surgical techniques are needed to update the surgical practice of gastrectomy for GC.

[Reconstruction following gastrectomy]

Minimally invasive surgical techniques with respect to the treatment of gastric cancer have progressed rapidly over the last few years. Especially in Asia, where the incidence of gastric cancer is ten times higher than in Europe, surgery for gastric cancer is steadily evolving, especially regarding laparoscopic and robot-assisted procedures. This review first discusses the different options for reconstruction of the gastrointestinal passage after gastrectomy, ranging from Billroth procedures to the latest developments, such as the double tract reconstruction. In particular, the possibility of function-preserving partial gastrectomy, such as proximal and distal gastric resection and the corresponding reconstruction techniques are presented. The latest studies and technical developments are presented, especially with respect to laparoscopically assisted, completely laparoscopic and robot-assisted gastrectomies.

Functional jejunal interposition versus Roux-en-Y anastomosis after total gastrectomy for gastric cancer: A prospective randomized clinical trial

BACKGROUND

Nutritional status and quality of life deteriorate significantly after total gastrectomy for patients with gastric cancer. The numerous types of reconstruction proposed by medical researchers around the world have limited effect. This prospective, randomized clinical trial compared functional jejunal interposition with Roux-en-Y anastomosis to identify the optimal reconstruction procedure.

METHODS

This was a multi-center, prospective, randomized control trial. The enrolled patients were randomly assigned into the functional jejunal interposition group and the Roux-en-Y group. All patients were followed up at regular intervals after surgery. The endpoints were postoperative nutritional status, quality of life, and long-term postoperative complications.

RESULTS

A total of 113 patients were enrolled from August 2012 to September 2017. Until March 2018, the median follow-up period was 18 months. At 12 months after surgery, food intake per meal (P = 0.021), Prognosis Nutritional Index (P = 0.015), weight loss (P = 0.019), and Gastrointestinal Symptom Rating Scale score (P = 0.015) of the functional jejunal interposition group were significantly worse than those of the Roux-en-Y group. There was no significant difference in operative time, intraoperative blood loss, perioperative complications, time of first flatus and defecation after surgery, postoperative plasma nutritional parameters, Visick score, Eastern Cooperative Group physical condition score, and survival rate.

CONCLUSION

For patients with long-term survival after total gastrectomy for gastric cancer, the Roux-en-Y anastomosis is a better choice compared with functional jejunal interposition.

A Comparative Study of Double-Tract Reconstruction and Roux-en-Y After Gastrectomy for Gastric Cancer

BACKGROUND

The meta-analysis was performed to compare surgical and functional results of double-tract (DT) and Roux-en-Y (RY) reconstruction, applied in both partial and total gastrectomy.

METHODS

PubMed, Ovid, Web of Science, Wiley, EBSCO, and the Cochrane Library Central were searched for studies comparing DT and RY after partial or total gastrectomy. Surgical, nutritional, and long-term outcomes were collected and analyzed.

RESULTS

A total of 595 patients from 8 studies were included. Operative time, time to first flatus, length of hospital stays, complications, postoperative nutritional variables, and functional result were similar between 2 groups. Group DT had significantly less blood loss, shorter time to oral intake and less loss of body weight at 2 years after operation.

CONCLUSIONS

DT reconstruction is comparable with RY after gastrectomy in safety, surgical outcomes including reflux symptom and postoperative recovery and shows better food intake and body weight maintenance.

Preservation of physiological passage through the remnant stomach prevents postoperative malnutrition after proximal gastrectomy with double tract reconstruction

PURPOSE

Double tract reconstruction (DT) after proximal gastrectomy (PG) is considered beneficial for postoperative nutrition status by preserving the physiological passage of food. We conducted this study to assess postoperative nutrition status based on food passage after this operation.

METHODS

The subjects of this retrospective study were 63 patients who underwent PG with DT. The patients were divided into two groups according to whether they had postoperative malnutrition (PM) 1 year postoperatively (PM group) or not (non-PM group). PM was defined by both weight loss > 10% and a low body mass index of < 20 or < 22 kg/m² for patients younger and older than 70 years, respectively. We then evaluated the predictors of PM.

RESULTS

There were 33 patients in the PM group. These patients were predominantly female (p < 0.01) and lacked physiological passage through the remnant stomach (PRS) on postoperative fluoroscopy (defined as non-PRS, p = 0.03). Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that female gender and non-PRS status were independent predictors of PM (odds ratio [95% CI]; 7.42 [1.33-41.4]; p = 0.02, 6.77 [1.01-45.4]; p = 0.04, respectively).

CONCLUSION

Preservation of the physiological passage of food through the remnant stomach prevents PM after PG with DT.

Double Tract vs. Roux-en-Y Reconstruction in the treatment of Gastric Cancer

Objective

Functional outcomes were prospectively compared between the standard Roux-en-Y and Double-tract reconstruction following a total gastrectomy and D2 lymphadenectomy.

Methods

One hundred ten patients with gastric cancer were divided into two groups by the type of reconstruction. Age, gender, T stage, AJCC stage, length of operation, BMI (body mass index, kg/m2), time to soft diet, postoperative leakage of the esophagojejunostomy (EJS), stricture of the EJS, meal intake, and quality of life (QOL) were recorded.

Results

The mean age in the R-Y group was 61.57, with the SD of 9.53, while in the DT group the mean age was 60.17 with a SD of 9.92. The BMI decline in the R-Y group was 4.09 with a SD of 1.11, while in the DT group it was 2.85 with a SD of 1.27. We found a highly significant statistical difference between the two groups in the rate of the BMI decline (p<0,001). We found no statistically significant difference regarding QOL between the two groups, p>0.05.

Conclusions

The Double tract reconstruction is a simple procedure and the rate of the BMI decline is much smaller compared to the Roux-en-Y group.

Laparoscopic proximal gastrectomy with oblique jejunogastrostomy

BACKGROUND

Proximal early gastric cancer is a good indication for totally laparoscopic proximal gastrectomy (TLPG) with double-tract reconstruction (DTR). However, when most of the dietary intake passes through the escape route of the jejunum, the functional benefits of proximal gastrectomy might be similar to those after total gastrectomy. Our DTR procedure was improved for easy passage through the remnant stomach. The purposes of this study were to present a novel technique for intracorporeal DTR using linear staplers after TLPG and to investigate surgical outcomes.

METHODS

DTR was performed using linear staplers only. A side-to-side jejunogastrostomy with twisting of both the remnant stomach and the anal jejunum was performed for the purpose of passing meals through the remnant stomach (an oblique jejunogastrostomy technique). The ten patients who underwent TLPG with DTR from January 2011 to August 2016 in Hokkaido University Hospital were retrospectively reviewed. Their clinicopathological characteristics and surgical and postoperative outcomes were collected and analyzed.

RESULTS

The median duration of operation was 285 (range 146-440) min. No patients required blood transfusions. The number of dissected lymph nodes was 32 (range 22-56). There were no intraoperative complications, and no cases were converted to open surgery. All the patients were pT1N0M0 stage IA. No anastomotic leakage or complications were detected. Postoperative gastrography after reconstruction showed that contrast medium flowed mainly to the remnant stomach. The average percentage body weight loss was 14.0 ± 7.1% at 10 months. The average percentage decrease in serum hemoglobin was 5.4 ± 10.4% at 12 months.

CONCLUSIONS

This novel technique for intracorporeal DTR provided a considerable advantage by the passage of dietary intake to the remnant stomach after LPG.

[Jejunogastroplasty as an alternative method of gastrointestinal tract reconstruction after gastrectomy]

AIM

To prove the surgical safety and functional efficiency of jejunogastroplasty with duodenal passage preservation as an alternative method of gastrointestinal tract reconstruction after gastrectomy.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

It was analyzed the results of treatment of 60 patients who underwent gastrectomy for stomach cancer for the period from September 2009 to May 2013. Two congeneric groups by 30 patients who underwent Roux-en-Y reconstruction (control group) and jejunogastroplasty (comparison group) were prospectively compared.

RESULTS

Immediate results did not significantly differ in the both groups. Blood loss was 528±61.0 and 507±71.2 ml, incidence of complications--20.0 and 6.7%, frequency of esophagostomy failure--3.3% and 0, postoperative mortality rate--3.3% and 0, duration of postoperative hospital-stay--12.4±1.3 and 10.9±1.2 days respectively (p<0.05). In remote postoperative period the number of patients with stable body mass index or its positive changes was 52.9 and 81.8% in control and main groups, with dumping syndrome--47.1 and 9.1%, with diarrhea--35.3 and 4.5% respectively (p<0.05). Index of good state of health in main group was 68.2%, in control group--17.6% (p<0.05). In authors' opinion safety and physiological efficiency of jejunogastroplasty allow you considering its priority for primary reconstruction after gastrectomy and alternativeness to Roux-en-Y technique.

Novel jejunoduodenostomy technique for prevention of duodenal stump blowout following gastrectomy

INTRODUCTION

Many patients undergo gastrectomy every year with a risk of duodenal stump blowout. We compared the conventional surgical techniques with a new and simple method of reconstruction to prevent this complication.

METHODS

We reviewed the medical records of all the patients who underwent gastrectomy from 2002 to 2013 (total or partial distal gastrectomies with Billroth II, Roux-en-Y, and our new technique of reconstruction) in Shohada Tajrish University hospital, Tehran, Iran.

RESULTS

A total of 179 patients were eligible for the study: 101 had undergone the new technique (study group) and 78 had undergone the conventional methods (control group). There were three cases of duodenal stump blowout, all in the control group (4 %, P<0.05). One was fatal (1 %). The post-operative hospital stay was significantly shorter in the study group (8.93 vs. 11.51 days, P<0.05).

DISCUSSION

Our results show that this new technique can effectively prevent duodenal stump blowout. Other advantages of this technique include the maintenance of physiological passage of food and a safe route for future diagnostic and therapeutic endoscopic interventions.

CONCLUSIONS

We present a simple technique that eliminates the risk of duodenal stump blowout. Randomized controlled trials are necessary to confirm our findings.

A safe anastomotic technique of using the transorally inserted anvil (OrVil) in Roux-en-Y reconstruction after laparoscopy-assisted total gastrectomy for proximal malignant tumors of the stomach

BACKGROUND

To explore the safety and feasibility of the transorally inserted anvil (OrVil) in laparoscopy-assisted total gastrectomy for gastric cancer.

METHODS

From December 2010 to June 2011, a total of 28 patients underwent laparoscopy-assisted total gastrectomy with a Roux-en-Y-esophagojejunostomy anastomosis with OrVil. Perioperative treatments, intraoperative data, postoperative complications and hospital length of stay were evaluated.

RESULTS

There were no conversions to the open gastrectomy. The mean operation time was 143 minutes and the mean blood loss was 70 ml. Patients resumed an oral liquid diet on postoperative days 4 to 5. Two patients (7%) who suffered postoperative aspiration pneumonia were cured by conservative treatment. The median hospital length of stay was 9.6 days (8 to 11 days), with no inhospital mortalities. The median follow-up time was 14.8 months (12 to 18 months), and postoperative endoscopic examination revealed no anastomosis stenosis in patients who had dysphagia.

CONCLUSION

The use of the OrVil is technically feasible and relatively safe for Roux-en-Y reconstruction after laparoscopy-assisted total gastrectomy.

Preservation versus non-preservation of the duodenal passage following total gastrectomy: a systematic review

BACKGROUND

Various reconstruction procedures have been proposed for restoring the alimentary tract continuity after total gastrectomy. However, so far there is no consensus on the ideal post-gastrectomy reconstruction procedure. The necessity of preserving the duodenal passage is one of the major focuses of the debate concerning gastrointestinal reconstruction and is the objective of this study.

METHODS

A systematic literature search of PubMed, EMBASE, the Cochrane Library, SCI, and Chinese Biomedical Literature Database (CBM) was carried out before March 2012 to obtain studies of randomized controlled trials (RCT). Analysis was performed using RevMan 5.0 software.

RESULTS

Nine RCTs involving 642 participants met the selection criteria. The results of the meta-analyses showed that operative mortality and morbidity were not significantly different between the two procedures (preservation vs. non-preservation of duodenum). However, operative time was considerably prolonged by preserving the duodenal passage. Patients in the preservation group had an improved nutritional parameters (body weight, levels of serum iron and hemoglobin) in the short term (<6 months) after surgery. Beneficial effect on preventing postgastrectomy symptom (heartburn, dumping syndrome) was not found by maintaining the duodenal passage throughout a 2-year follow-up. Moreover, a qualitative measurement showed that no significant quality of life improvement for patients with a preserved duodenal passage.

CONCLUSION

This systematic review failed to demonstrate obvious advantage in preserving duodenal passage after total gastrectomy.

Comparative evaluation of two reconstructive methods following laparoscopic assisted subtotal gastrectomy in dogs

BACKGROUND

Laparoscopic gastrectomy is a new and technically challenging surgical procedure with potential benefit. The objective of this study was to investigate clinical and para-clinical consequences following Roux-en-Y and Jejunal Loop interposition reconstructive techniques for subtotal gastrectomy using laparoscopic assisted surgery.

RESULTS

Following resection of the stomach attachments through a laparoscopic approach, stomach was removed and reconstruction was performed with either standard Roux-en-Y (n = 5) or Jejunal Loop interposition (n = 5) methods. Weight changes were monitored on a daily basis and blood samples were collected on Days 0, 7 and 21 post surgery. A fecal sample was collected on Day 28 after surgery to evaluate fat content. One month post surgery, positive contrast radiography was conducted at 5, 10, 20, 40, 60 and 90 minutes after oral administration of barium sulfate, to evaluate the postoperative complications. There was a gradual decline in body weight in both experimental groups after surgery (P < 0.05). There was no difference in blood parameters at any time after surgery between the two methods (P > 0.05). Fecal fat content increased in the Roux-en-Y compared to the Jejunal loop interposition technique (P < 0.05). No major complications were found in radiographs and gastric emptying time was similar between the two groups (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Roux-en-Y and Jejunal loop interposition techniques might be considered as suitable approaches for reconstructing gastro-intestinal tract following gastrectomy in dogs. The results of this study warrant further investigation with a larger number of animals.

Double tract reconstruction (DTR) - an alternative type of digestive tract reconstructive procedure after total gastrectomy - own experience

The only proven, effective therapy in case of the gastric cancers is surgery.

THE AIM OF THE STUDY

The most common procedure which is made in such a situation is total resection of the stomach. In our publication we would like to present and to recommend a very rare made type of the reconstructive procedures after total gastrectomy, which is called "double tract reconstruction" (DTR). This type of reconstruction is occasionally made mainly in Japan.Material and methods. Double tract reconstruction has been made in 2nd Department of General and Gastroenterological Surgery since 2000. Till today 75 patients were treated with this method.

RESULTS

The frequency of complications after double tract reconstruction was occasional, and there were no differences between this procedure and Roux-en-Y method of the reconstruction. There were no differences in the time of the operation between this two methods. The most important advantage of this method is that duodenal passage is extant. Because of that the endoscopic examination of papilla Vateri can be made.

CONCLUSIONS

We would like to recommend this method as an alternative to Roux-en-Y procedure because of its simplicity and safeness.

Postoperative long-term evaluation of interposition reconstruction compared with Roux-en-Y after total gastrectomy in gastric cancer: prospective randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND

The postoperative clinical superiority of the interposition of jejunum reconstruction (INT) to Roux-en-Y reconstruction (RY) after total gastrectomy has not been clarified. Postoperative quality of life (QOL) was evaluated between the 2 methods by a multi-institutional prospective randomized trial.

METHODS

A total of 103 patients with gastric cancer were prospectively randomly divided into groups for RY (n = 51) or INT reconstruction (n = 52) after total gastrectomy. They were stratified by sex, age, institute, histology, and degree of lymph node dissection. Postoperatively, body mass index (BMI) and nutritional conditions were measured serially, and QOL and postoperative squalor scores were evaluated at 3, 12, and 60 months and compared between the 2 groups.

RESULTS

After removing patients who did not complete the follow-up survey or censured cases, 24 patients in the RY group and 18 patients in the INT group were clinically available and their postoperative status was assessed. QOL scores were increased and complication scores were improved in the postoperative periods (P < .01). Postoperative BMI significantly deteriorated compared with preoperative BMI in each group. The postoperative QOL and complication scores at 60 months after surgery were significantly better than those at 3 months after surgery in each group (P < .01). However, there was no significant difference of QOL scores and postoperative complication scores between the 2 reconstruction groups. The nutritional condition in the INT group was nearly the same as that in the RY group.

CONCLUSIONS

Although our patient sample was small and patients who did not complete the follow-up survey were present, we could not identify any clinical difference between INT and RY after total gastrectomy 60 months after surgery. The safer and simpler RY method may be a more suitable reconstruction method than INT after total gastrectomy.

Double tract reconstruction after distal gastrectomy for gastric cancer is effective in reducing reflux esophagitis and remnant gastritis with duodenal passage preservation

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

So far, there have been no reports assessing double tract (DT) reconstruction after distal gastrectomy for gastric cancer, which maintains the duodenal passage of food. The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical results of DT reconstruction compared with Roux-en-Y (RY) and Billroth I (BI) reconstruction following distal gastrectomy.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Outcomes following DT (33 patients), RY (38 patients), or BI (47 patients) reconstructions were investigated retrospectively. These outcomes included postoperative esophagogastroscopic findings, the angle of His measured from postoperative esophagogastrography, and the quality of life, determined by the Gastrointestinal Symptom Rating Scale (GSRS) 1 year after surgery.

RESULTS

The degree and extent of gastritis was significantly lower in patients who had undergone DT or RY compared with BI reconstruction (P < 0.05). The angle of His was significantly greater in patients who had undergone BI rather than RY or DT reconstruction (P < 0.05) and was significantly greater in patients with reflux esophagitis (P < 0.05). Using the GSRS, patients who underwent DT or RY reconstructions had significantly lower reflux and indigestion than patients who had undergone BI reconstruction. The length of the lesser curvature of the remnant stomach did not differ significantly between the three reconstruction procedures.

CONCLUSIONS

DT reconstruction following distal gastrectomy should be considered as a reconstruction technique as it allows future endoscopic investigation in cases with postoperative problems and results in low levels of reflux esophagitis and remnant gastritis.

Using multidetector-row CT for the diagnosis of afferent loop syndrome following gastroenterostomy reconstruction

PURPOSE

To assess the clinical manifestations and multidetector-row computed tomography (MDCT) findings of afferent loop syndrome (ALS) and to determine the role of MDCT on treatment decisions.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

From January 2004 to December 2008, 1,100 patients had undergone gastroenterostomy reconstruction in our institution. Of these, 22 (2%) patients were diagnosed as ALS after surgery that included Roux-en-Y gastroenterotomy (n=9), Billroth-II gastrojejunostomy (n=7), and Whipple's operation (n=6). Clinical manifestations and MDCT features of these patients were recorded and statistically analyzed. The presumed etiologies of obstruction shown on the MDCT were correlated with clinical information and confirmed by surgery or endoscopic biopsy.

RESULTS

The most common clinical symptom was acute abdominal pain, presenting in 18 patients (82%). We found that a fluid-filled C-shaped afferent loop in combination with valvulae conniventes projecting into the lumen was the most common MDCT features of ALS. Malignant causes of ALS, such as local recurrence and carcinomatosis, are the most common etiologies of obstruction. These etiologies and associated complications can be predicted 100% by MDCT.

CONCLUSION

Our results suggest that MDCT is a reliable modality for assessing the etiologies of ALS and guiding treatment decisions.

A new pouch reconstruction method after total gastrectomy (pouch-double tract method) improved the postoperative quality of life of patients with gastric cancer

PURPOSE

Many reconstruction methods after total gastrectomy (TG) lead patients to dumping syndrome, reflux esophagitis, and poor postoperative quality of life (QOL). To improve patients' postoperative QOL after TG, we introduce a new reconstruction method named "pouch-double tract" (PDT).

METHODS

A prospective randomized study was performed between 2005 and 2007 in 29 patients who were diagnosed as stage I or II gastric cancers preoperatively. Patients were followed until the end of 2009. Conventional Roux-en-Y reconstruction (RY) was performed in 15 patients, and PDT was used in 14 patients. Postoperative patients' nutritional assessments and patients' QOL were compared between the groups.

RESULTS

PDT did not increase morbidity or mortality compared with RY. Patients in the PDT group did not complain of dumping and showed better postoperative food intake. Body weight recovered better in PDT than in RY.

CONCLUSION

PDT is safe and associated with better nutritional status compared with the RY.

Reconstruction after gastrectomy: which technique is best?

Several reconstruction techniques are possible after gastrectomy. The best reconstruction is one, that maintains satisfactory nutritional status and quality of life while keeping postoperative morbidity as low as possible. The aim of this study was to describe the different reconstruction techniques that can be proposed after distal and total gastrectomy, heeding to the French guidelines on the use of mechanical sutures in these indications. We then conducted a review of randomized trials dealing with reconstruction techniques after distal and total gastrectomy. After distal gastrectomy, Roux-en-Y reconstruction seems superior to Billroth I and Billroth II reconstructions in terms of functional outcomes and long-term endoscopic results and should be chosen in patients with benign disease or superficial tumors. Otherwise, Billroth II should be preferred over Billroth I reconstruction because of lower postoperative morbidity and better oncologic margins. After total gastrectomy, Roux-en-Y reconstruction remains the easiest solution, with satisfactory functional results. Addition of a pouch reservoir after Roux-en-Y reconstruction seems to improve short-term functional outcome after total gastrectomy with better potential for nutritional intake. In the long-term, quality of life seems better mainly in patients with small-resected tumors associated with a good prognosis.