Feasibility and safety of pure single-incision laparoscopic total and proximal gastrectomy for early gastric cancer: propensity score-matched comparison to multiport totally laparoscopic approach

A 3-Arm case-matched analysis of anti-reflux reconstruction methods after laparoscopic proximal gastrectomy - Single tract jejunal interposition vs double tract reconstruction vs tube-like stomach reconstruction

BACKGROUND

Owing to reportedly superior prognosis, proximal gastrectomy (PG) is expected to be an alternative to total gastrectomy for upper gastric cancer. However, limited data are available regarding the optimal anti-reflux reconstruction method after PG. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of laparoscopic PG with single-tract jejunal interposition (LPG-STJI), double-tract reconstruction (LPG-DTR), and tube-like stomach reconstruction (LPG-TLR) on surgical outcomes in patients with upper-third gastric cancer.

METHODS

Using propensity score-matching (PSM) to adjust for baseline characteristics, a well-balanced cohort was established by matching each patient who underwent LPG-STJI as the study group with one who underwent LPG-DTR or LPG-TLR as the control group at a 1:1 ratio. This study was registered at ClinicalTrials.gov (No. NCT06347757).

RESULTS

PSM yielded 62 matched pairs, with comparable demographic and tumor characteristics. The incidence of reflux esophagitis at one year postoperatively was significantly lower in the LPG-STJI and LPG-DTR groups than in the LPG-TLR group (11.3 % vs 9.7 % vs 24.2 %, P = 0.046), and fewer patients required proton-pump inhibitor administration (62.9 % vs 56.5 % vs 79.0 %, P = 0.024). In terms of nutritional status, the LPG-STJI group showed minimal changes in postoperative body weight and nutrition-related biochemical indices, approaching preoperative levels by the 12-month mark. In addition, the LPG-STJI group demonstrated a more favorable quality of life than the LPG-DTR and LPG-TLR groups, as assessed using the EORTC QLQ-C30 and QLQ-STO22 questionnaires.

CONCLUSION

LPG-STJI may be the preferred option for anti-reflux reconstruction, since it appears to reduce the occurrence of endoscopic reflux esophagitis and improve quality of life without raising surgical complications or compromising nutritional status. Further well-designed prospective studies are warranted to re-evaluate these findings.

Short-term outcomes and quality of life of esophagogastrostomy versus the double-tract reconstruction after laparoscopic proximal gastrectomy

BACKGROUND

There is no optimal reconstruction technique after proximal gastrectomy. The esophagogastrostomy (EG) is a rather simple procedure technically, but the incidences of reflux esophagitis and anastomotic stricture are higher. While the double-tract reconstruction (DTR) can lessen postoperative reflux esophagitis, it is technically complex with a long operation time. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the quality of life (QoL) and short-term outcomes of the two reconstruction techniques.

METHODS

We retrospectively collected consecutive patients with upper-third gastric adenocarcinoma and adenocarcinoma of the esophagogastric junction (AEG) at our center between 2019 June and 2023 May. Patients who underwent laparoscopic proximal gastrectomy (LPG) with EG or DTR were included in this study. A comparison was made between the clinical and pathological characteristics of patients and their surgical parameters, postoperative complications, and its 1-year QoL in two groups. The QoL of the two groups was assessed by Visick grading, the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) QLQ-C30 and EORTC QLQ-STO22 scales at 1 year after operation. The nutritional status of the two groups was evaluated by BMI, hemoglobin and serum albumin.

RESULTS

AII the qualified patients were divided EG group (n = 63) and DTR group (n = 93). Compared to the DTR group, the blood loss volume of EG group was more (p = 0.001). There were no significant differences in operation duration, number of lymph nodes dissected, and postoperative length of stay between the two groups(p > 0.05). No statistical differences were observed in terms of the incidence of early complications and Clavien-Dindo classification as well(p > 0.05). After one year, the Visick grade of the DTR group was better than EG group (p = 0.040). The multivariable logistic regression analysis showed the only independent risk factor for reflux esophagitis was the reconstruction method. According to the EORTC QLQ-C30 questionnaire, patients in the DTR group had a better global health status(p = 0.001) and complained less about nausea and vomiting(p = 0.033), and appetite loss (p = 0.022). Patients in the DTR group complained less about reflux (p = 0.030) based on the EORTC QLQ-STO22 questionnaire. The multiple linear regression analysis revealed that the reconstruction method, reflux esophagitis and age had a linear relationship with the global health status score. Regarding nutritional status, BMI of the two groups both decreased 1 year after operation, and BMI decline value of the DTR group was lower than EG group (p = 0.001). There is no statistically significant difference between the two groups as for postoperative change in hemoglobin and serum albumin.

CONCLUSION

Our findings suggest that it is possible for skilled surgeons to achieve minimal blood loss volume without significantly increasing operation duration when performing DRT, which does not raise risk. In terms of anti-reflux, postoperative QoL and BMI maintenance, 1-year postoperative follow-up outcomes reveal the DTR is superior to EG, which deserve further research and promotion.

[Cancer of the Esophagogastric Junction: Double Tract Reconstruction - Evidence and Technique]

Adenocarcinoma of the esophagogastric junction (AEG) still represent a certain surgical challenge. In contrary to the trend of thoracoabdominal surgery for AEG I and AEG II cancer, the proximal gastrectomy is regaining popularity through new reconstruction methods such as the double tract reconstruction. Proximal gastrectomy followed by double tract reconstruction represents an alternative for the thoracoabdominal approach for suitable AEG II cancer and an alternative to the total gastrectomy for AEG III cancers. Latest studies suggest a functional benefit of proximal gastrectomy and double tract reconstruction in comparison to total gastrectomy. The accurate indication for proximal gastrectomy for locally advanced cancers has to be established in the near future as well as the influence of the size of the remnant stomach on the outcome, as Asian techniques for early lesions sometimes significantly differ from European. The following article reflects the present evidence on proximal gastrectomy and double tract reconstruction as well as technical aspects in the context of cancer of the esophagogastric junction.