Clinical outcomes of intraoperative manual dilatation of pylorus in pylorus-preserving gastrectomy: a retrospective analysis

Long-term outcomes and quality of life of laparoscopic-assisted pylorus-preserving gastrectomy compared to laparoscopic-assisted distal gastrectomy with billroth I anastomosis for early gastric cancer(pT1N0M0): A Randomized Controlled Trial

OBJECTIVE

Clarify the long-term outcomes of laparoscopic-assisted pylorus-preserving gastrectomy (LAPPG) compared to conventional laparoscopic-assisted distal gastrectomy with billroth I anastomosis (LADGBI) for early gastric cancer(pT1N0M0).

METHODS

Patients with cT1N0M0 cancer located in the middle third of the stomach and not suitable for endoscopic submucosal dissection were randomized to undergo LAPPG or LADGBI.

RESULTS

Between August 2017 and October 2019, a total 88 patients (pT1N0M0) were analyzed. The 5-year overall survival rate and disease-free survival rate were 95.5 ​% and 93.2 ​% for LAPPG and 93.2 ​% (P ​= ​0.46) and 91.0 ​% (P ​= ​0.64) for LADGBI. During postoperative 5-year follow up, LAPPG tended to present better functions and less symptoms scales than LADGBI accompanied by effective gallbladder emptying and pylorus function preserving.

CONCLUSION

Surgical and oncological outcomes was comparable in pT1N0M0 patients undergoing LAPPG and LADGBI. LAPPG had advantages in long-term QOL over LADGBI in terms of C30 and STO22 questionnaire.

Laparoscopic Pylorus-preserving Gastrectomy Versus Distal Gastrectomy for Early Gastric Cancer: A Multicenter Randomized Controlled Trial (KLASS-04)

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the long-term outcomes of laparoscopic pylorus-preserving gastrectomy (LPPG) with laparoscopic distal gastrectomy (LDG) for early gastric cancer.

BACKGROUND

Pylorus-preserving gastrectomy is considered a function-preserving surgery for early gastric cancer. However, there has been no multicenter randomized controlled trial comparing pylorus-preserving gastrectomy with distal gastrectomy until now.

METHODS

A multicenter randomized controlled trial (KLASS-04) with 256 patients with cT1N0M0 gastric cancer located in the mid portion of the stomach was conducted. The primary endpoint was the incidence of dumping syndrome at postoperative 1 year. Secondary endpoints included survival and recurrence, gallstone formation, nutritional parameters, gastroscopic findings, and quality of life for 3 years.

RESULTS

In the intention-to-treat analyses, there was no difference in the incidence of dumping syndrome at 1 year postoperatively (13.2% in LPPG vs 15.8% in LDG, P = 0.622). Gallstone formation after surgery was significantly lower in LPPG than in LDG (2.33% vs 8.66%, P = 0.026). Hemoglobin (+0.01 vs -0.76 gm/dL, P < 0.001) and serum protein (-0.15 vs -0.35 gm/dL, P = 0.002) were significantly preserved after LPPG. However, reflux esophagitis (17.8% vs 6.3%, P = 0.005) and grade IV delayed gastric emptying (16.3% vs 3.9%, P = 0.001) were more common in LPPG. Changes in body weight and postoperative quality of life were not significantly different between groups. Three-year overall survival and disease-free survival were not different (1 case of recurrence in each group, P = 0.98).

CONCLUSIONS

LPPG can be used as an alternative surgical option for cT1N0M0 gastric cancer in the mid portion of the stomach.

Postoperative delayed gastric emptying: may gut microbiota play a role?

Postoperative delayed gastric emptying is a prevalent complication following surgical procedures, imposing heavy physical and financial burdens on patients. However, current treatment options remain suboptimal. In recent years, an increasing number of studies have highlighted that the gut microbiota and its metabolites are closely associated with postoperative complications. Various factors can disrupt the gut microbiome after surgery. This review discusses the potential mechanisms by which the gut microbiota and their metabolites may contribute to the pathogenesis of postoperative delayed gastric emptying. However, the current knowledge base is limited in terms of fully understanding the exact mechanisms involved. It is therefore evident that further research is required to fully elucidate the role of the gut microbiome in postoperative delayed gastric emptying, with the aim of uncovering new possibilities for preventive measures and therapeutic treatments.

Clinical effect and follow-up of laparoscopic radical proximal gastrectomy for upper gastric carcinoma

Objective

To evaluate the safety and clinical effect of tubular esophagogastric anastomosis in laparoscopic radical proximal gastrectomy.

Methods

A retrospective analysis was conducted involving 191 patients who underwent laparoscopic radical proximal gastrectomy in the Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University from January 2017 to October 2020. Patients were divided into tubular esophagogastric anastomosis group (TG group) and traditional esophagogastric anastomosis group (EG group) according to the digestive tract reconstruction. Their intraoperative conditions, perioperative recovery and postoperative follow-up were compared. Patients were also divided into indocyanine green group and non-indocyanine green group according to whether or not indocyanine green tracer technology was used during the operation. Their intraoperative condition and perioperative recovery were compared and analyzed after propensity score matching.

Results

The operation was successfully completed in all patients. Compared with the EG group, the TG group had less volume of gastric tube drainage, shorter gastric tube drainage time and proton pump inhibitors application time, and lower reuse rate of proton pump inhibitors. However, the TG group had a higher anastomotic stenosis at three months after surgery, as measured using anastomotic width and dysphagia score. Nevertheless, the incidence of reflux esophagitis and postoperative quality of life score in the TG group were lower compared with the EG group at 1st and 2nd year after surgery. In the indocyanine green analysis, the indocyanine green group had significantly shorter total operation time and lymph node dissection time and less intraoperative blood loss compared with the non-indocyanine green group. However, compared with the non-indocyanine green group, more postoperative lymph nodes were obtained in the indocyanine green group.

Conclusion

Laparoscopic radical proximal gastrectomy is safe and effective treatment option for upper gastric cancer. Tubular esophagogastric anastomosis has more advantages in restoring postoperative gastrointestinal function and reducing reflux, but it has a higher incidence of postoperative anastomotic stenosis compared with traditional esophagogastrostomy. The application of indocyanine green tracer technique in laparoscopic radical proximal gastrectomy has positive significance.

Feasibility and safety of inserting transient biodegradable stents in the pylorus during pylorus-preserving gastrectomy for gastric cancer: a preliminary study in a porcine for proof of concept

BACKGROUND

To evaluate whether insertion of self-biodegradable stent into the pylorus to prevent delayed-gastric emptying after pylorus-preserving gastrectomy is feasible and safe through porcine experiment.

METHODS

Self-biodegradable dumbbell-shaped pyloric stents were designed from absorbable suture materials: poly(glycolide-co-caprolactone) (PGCL) or poly-p-dioxanone (PPDO). After gastrotomy on ten pigs, each stent was inserted: two shams, four PGCL stents, and four PPDO stents. Body weight (Bwt), body temperature (BT), complete blood cell (CBC) count, and plain X-ray were evaluated. On postoperative day (POD) 13, euthanasia was performed for histologic evaluation.

RESULTS

Operation was successfully performed in all ten pigs. Without tagging suture, both stents migrated before POD 3. The migration was delayed up to POD 13, when the tagging sutures (-t) were applied between stent and stomach wall. Self-degradation of PGCL started from POD 3, and stents were completely excreted from the abdomen by POD 8. Although PPDO were also weakened as self-degradation progressed, its shape was maintained in gastrointestinal tract for 13 days. Unexpected sudden death occurred in the pig with PPDO-t2 on POD 10, which is more likely due to acute volvulus rather than stent-related complication. There was no significant difference between three groups in terms of Bwt, BT, CBC, and histology (sham vs. PGCL vs. PPDO, all p > 0.05).

CONCLUSION

The concept of biodegradable stents made of absorbent suture material seems feasible in porcine experiment. Among them, PGCL which has shown rapid absorption, appears to be a more suitable material for transient pyloric absorbable stent when considering safety aspect.

Clinical Experience of Intracorporeal Hand-sewn Anastomosis Following Totally Laparoscopic Pylorus-Preserving Gastrectomy for Middle-Third Early Gastric Cancer

INTRODUCTION

Pylorus-preserving gastrectomy (PPG) has been accepted as a representative function-preserving procedure for early gastric cancer (EGC) in the middle stomach. Totally, intracorporeal laparoscopic gastrectomy can provide better aesthetics, be less invasive, and allow faster postoperative recovery. Here, we first describe the surgical procedure of totally laparoscopic pylorus-preserving gastrectomy with intracorporeal hand-sewn anastomosis (TLPPG-IHSA).

METHODS

After standard procedure of lymph node dissection and middle stomach resection, we used two double-needle barbed sutures to perform a layer-to-layer manual anastomosis of the anterior and posterior walls in the abdominal cavity. Twelve patients with preoperatively diagnosed clinical EGC located in the middle third of the stomach underwent TLPPG-IHSA between August 2019 and January 2021.

RESULTS

A total of 12 patients with EGC successfully underwent TLPPG-IHSA. Only one patient (8.3%) suffered postoperative gastric stasis. No complications or recurrence occurred in other patients during half a year after surgery.

CONCLUSION

TLPPG-IHSA is considered technically feasible to treat EGC located in the middle third of the stomach.

Short-term Outcomes of Pylorus-Preserving Gastrectomy for Early Gastric Cancer: Comparison Between Extracorporeal and Intracorporeal Gastrogastrostomy

Purpose

This study aimed to compare the surgical and oncological outcomes between totally laparoscopic pylorus-preserving gastrectomy (TLPPG) with intracorporeal anastomosis and laparoscopy-assisted pylorus-preserving gastrectomy (LAPPG) with extracorporeal anastomosis.

Materials and Methods

A retrospective analysis was performed in 258 patients with cT1N0 gastric cancer who underwent laparoscopic pylorus-preserving gastrectomy using two different anastomosis methods: TLPPG with intracorporeal anastomosis (n=88) and LAPPG with extracorporeal anastomosis (n=170). The following variables were compared between the two groups to assess the postoperative surgical and oncological outcomes: proximal and distal margins, number of resected lymph nodes (LNs) in total and in LN station 6, operation time, postoperative hospital stay, and postoperative morbidity including delayed gastric emptying (DGE).

Results

The average length of the proximal margin was similar between the TLPPG and LAPPG groups (2.35 vs. 2.73 cm, P=0.070). Although the distal margin was significantly shorter in the TLPPG group than in the LAPPG group (3.15 vs. 4.08 cm, P=0.001), no proximal or distal resection margin-positive cases were reported in either group. The average number of resected LN was similar in both groups (36.0 vs. 33.98, P=0.229; LN station 6, 5.72 vs. 5.33, P=0.399). The operation time was shorter in the TLPPG group than in the LAPPG (200.17 vs. 220.80 minutes, P=0.001). No significant differences were observed between the two groups in terms of postoperative hospital stay (9.38 vs. 10.10 days, P=0.426) and surgical complication rate (19.3% vs. 22.9%), including DGE (8.0% vs. 11.8%, P=0.343).

Conclusions

The oncological safety and postoperative complications of TLPPG with intracorporeal anastomosis are similar to those of LAPPG with extracorporeal anastomosis.

Postoperative quality of life after gastrectomy in gastric cancer patients: a prospective longitudinal observation study

Purpose

The European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer quality of life (QOL) questionnaires (QLQ-C30, QLQ-OG25, and QLQ-STO22) are widely used for the assessment of gastric cancer patients. This study aimed to use these questionnaires to evaluate QOL in postgastrectomy patients.

Methods

We prospectively evaluated 106 patients with distal gastrectomy (DG), 57 with pylorus-preserving gastrectomy (PPG), and 117 with total gastrectomy (TG). Body weight and QOL questionnaires were evaluated preoperatively and postoperatively (at 3 weeks, and 3, 6, and 12 months).

Results

TG patients had significantly more weight loss than DG/PPG patients. Compared with DG, patients after PPG had less dyspnea (P = 0.008) and trouble with coughing (P = 0.049), but more severe symptoms of insomnia (P = 0.037) and reflux (P = 0.030) at postoperative 12 months. Compared with DG/PPG, TG was associated with worse body image, dysphagia, eating, and taste in both OG25 and STO22. Moreover, OG25 revealed worse QOL in the TG group with respect to odynophagia, eating with others, choked when swallowing, trouble talking, and weight loss. The QOL of patients who received chemotherapy was worse than those in the chemo-free group in both physical functioning and symptoms such as nausea/vomiting, appetite loss, and trouble with taste; however, these side effects would soon disappear after finishing chemotherapy.

Conclusion

PPG was similar to DG in terms of postoperative QOL and maintaining body weight, while TG was always inferior to both DG and PPG. Adjuvant chemotherapy can affect both body weight and QOL despite being reversible.

A comparison between pylorus-preserving and distal gastrectomy in surgical safety and functional benefit with gastric cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Due to better functional outcomes, pylorus-preserving gastrectomy (PPG) has been widely applied for early gastric cancer (EGC) patients as an alternative to distal gastrectomy (DG). However, controversies still persist regarding the surgical efficacy and oncological safety of PPG.

METHODS

Original studies comparing PPG and DG for EGC were searched in PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane Register of Controlled Trials up to December 2019. The weight mean difference, standardized mean difference, or odds risk was used to calculate the short-term and long-term outcomes between the two groups.

RESULTS

Twenty-one comparative studies comprising 4871 patients (1955 in the PPG group and 2916 in the DG group) were enrolled in this systematic review and meta-analysis. PPG showed longer hospital day, decreased harvested lymph nodes, and more delayed gastric emptying. However, PPG had the benefits of lower incidence of anastomosis leakage, early dumping syndrome, gastritis and bile reflux, and better recovery of total protein, albumin, hemoglobin, and weight. No difference was found in operative time, blood loss, and overall complications. Moreover, the long-term survival and recurrence rate were similar in two groups.

CONCLUSION

Owing to the non-inferiority of surgery and oncology outcomes and the superiority of function outcomes in PPG, we revealed that PPG can be clinically applicable instead of DG in EGC. However, more high-quality comparative studies and randomized clinical trials would be required for further confirmation.

Eroded adjustable gastric band migration causing gastric obstruction and perforation in a pregnant lady

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Laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (LAGB) was considered as one of the most effective management for morbid obesity, with outstanding long-term results on weight loss, comorbidities, and quality of life.

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Reported complications of LAGB include erosion, infection, migration, obstruction, and rarely ischemia.

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We report a case of pregnant woman who underwent LAGB 12 years ago diagnosed as gastric obstruction and perforation that was managed by central gastrectomy with gastro-gastrostomy.

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We encourage the bariatric surgeons to be attentive LAGB complications among women planning for pregnancy.

Background

The laparoscopic adjustable gastric band is the least invasive bariatric surgery, which has the advantage of preserving the anatomy of the gastrointestinal tract. In the last two decades, the laparoscopic adjustable gastric band (LAGB) has largely been replaced by other surgical techniques for weight loss because of its high inseparable complications. Although a popular surgical technique at the time of its introduction in 1993, LAGB nowadays reports for not more than 5.5% of all bariatric procedures. The estimated overall long term complication rates of LAGB are ranging from 0.1% to 28%.

Objective

In this report, we review one of the cases that are considered as an anecdotic event that might follow one of the bariatric procedures.

Methods

We reported a pregnant lady who undergoes gastric banding 12 years ago. presented with progressively increasing colicky epigastric pain, nausea, and vomiting. The investigations show gastric obstruction and perforation secondary to eroded gastric band and migration.

Results

The management was completed by the elimination of the gastric band proceed with central gastrectomy plus gastro-gastrostomy with an excellent outcome for the patient and her baby.

Conclusion

This case highlights an absolutely rare serial complication, that may happen even when the patient presents with a vague complaint. Intraoperative findings can determine the way of management to achieve suitable results. Lastly; we encourage the young Women who underwent or planning for bariatric surgery to do a careful follow-up.

Pylorus-preserving gastrectomy for early cancer involving the upper third: can we go higher?

BACKGROUND

Pylorus-preserving gastrectomy (PPG) is commonly performed for early gastric cancer (EGC) located in middle third of the stomach. We investigated the surgical, oncological, and functional outcomes of PPG involving the upper third of stomach.

METHODS

We included all patients of the period 2013-2016 who underwent PPG, distal subtotal gastrectomy (DSG), and total gastrectomy (TG) for EGC involving the upper third by carefully defining the localization. Surgical, oncological, and functional outcome analyses included postoperative morbidity, lymph-node metastasis, tumor recurrence, postoperative body weight, body mass index, hemoglobin, total protein, albumin, quantification of intraabdominal fat, and gallstone development.

RESULTS

Overall, 288 cases were analyzed: 145 PPG, 61 DSG, and 82 TG. In the study period, patients potentially underwent PPG for EGC involving the upper third, if enough proximal remnant stomach was found whilst achieving a sufficient proximal margin. PPG resulted in less operation time (p < 0.001), less blood loss (p = 0.002) and lower postoperative morbidity compared to TG. For lymph-node (LN) stations being resected in all groups, no difference was found in number of resected LN. Recurrence-free survival was similar for all groups. PPG showed advantages regarding postoperative body weight, hemoglobin, total protein, albumin in postoperative 6 and 12 month follow-up. Lowest decrease of abdominal fat area after 12 months was seen for PPG. Gallstone incidence was significantly lower after PPG compared to TG (p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

For EGC involving the upper third, PPG can be another good option with lower postoperative morbidity, better functional outcomes, and same oncological safety.

Objective evaluation of clinical outcomes of laparoscopy-assisted pylorus-preserving gastrectomy for middle-third early gastric cancer

Background

Laparoscopic-assisted pylorus-preserving gastrectomy (LAPPG) is a minimally invasive function-preserving surgery for early gastric cancer. This study was designed to investigate the clinical outcomes between LAPPG and laparoscopy-assisted distal gastrectomy (LADG) by objective evaluation.

Methods

A total 167 pT1N0M0 gastric cancer patients underwent LAPPG(n = 70) and LADG(n = 97) were retrospectively analyzed. By evaluating the functional advantages, objective short-term and one year follow-up outcomes were compared.

Results

There is no significant difference in perioperative clinical characteristics as well as pathologic results between LAPPG and LADG group while the cost is higher in latter(p = 0.004). The Clavien–Dindo grade II or higher complications were 15.7 and 13.4% in LAPPG and LADG group respectively(p = 0.824). In one year follow-up, nutritional status was significantly better in LAPPG group accompanied by better pylorus function preserving.

Conclusion

LAPPG is an acceptable surgical procedure for pT1N0M0 middle portion gastric cancer patients in terms of nutritional and economic advantage.

Trial registration

Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (ChiCTR-PIC-17012358, Date of Registration:2017-08-14).