“A review on double tract reconstruction after proximal gastrectomy for proximal gastric cancer.”

Comparison of clinical efficacy between π-shaped esophagojejunostomy and overlap method in treating upper gastric cancer with double-tract reconstruction in proximal gastrectomy under total laparoscopy

BACKGROUND

This study aimed to analyze the clinical efficacy of π-shaped esophagojejunostomy and the overlap method in treating upper gastric cancer with double-tract reconstruction in proximal gastrectomy under total laparoscopy.

METHOD

Clinical data were collected from patients with upper gastric cancer who underwent surgery in the General Surgery Department of Jiangsu University Affiliated Hospital from June 1, 2017, to January 1, 2023. Patients were categorized into the overlap method group and the π-shaped esophagojejunostomy group. We collected perioperative and gastroscopy follow-up data from both groups 1 year after surgery.

RESULTS

Seventy-nine patients were included, with 46 in the overlap anastomosis group and 33 in the π-shaped esophagojejunostomy group. Both groups were evaluated for age, sex, body mass index, tumor diameter, tumor pathological Tumor, Node, Metastasis staging, intraoperative bleeding volume, number of lymph node dissections, postoperative hospitalization days, postoperative hospitalization days, catheter removal time, drainage tube removal time, recovery time, anal defecation time, postoperative bedtime activity time, hospitalization cost, Visual Analog Scale (VAS) score at rest on the first day after surgery, VAS score at activity on the first day after surgery, short-term postoperative complications and 1-year gastroscopy follow-up. No significant difference was observed in these factors (P > 0.05). However, the π-shaped esophagojejunostomy group had a significantly lower surgical time and anastomosis time than the overlap anastomosis group (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Both overlap anastomosis and π-shaped esophagojejunostomy are safe for double-tract reconstruction in proximal gastrectomy under total laparoscopy without increasing the incidence of perioperative and short-term complications in patients. π-shaped esophagojejunostomy has shorter surgical time and anastomosis time than overlap anastomosis.

Association Between Reconstruction Technique and Clinical Outcomes in Advanced Gastric Cancer Patients Undergoing Proximal Gastrectomy

BACKGROUND

There is an upward shift in the incidence and localization of gastric cancer (GC). Proximal gastrectomy (PG) has been advocated as an alternative operation for upper-third GC. An uneventful postoperative course is currently measured using a well-defined textbook outcome (TO), which represents a composite of surgical quality metrics. The aim of this study was to compare TO after two reconstruction methods following PG: double-tract reconstruction (DTR) and posterior esophagogastrostomy with partial neo-fundoplication (EGF).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Primary proximal gastric adenocarcinoma patients who had undergone PG with DTR or EGF were included in this study. In a prospectively collected database, DTR and EGF were identified in 30 and 30 patients, respectively.

RESULTS

Patients with DTR had a 5.5-fold higher chance of achieving TO compared to those with EGF (OR = 5.67; p = 0.0266). No statistically significant differences in overall survival were noted when both reconstruction methods were compared.

CONCLUSION

In patients with proximal GC undergoing PG, TO is more likely to be achieved using DTR compared to EGF, with similar overall survival. Randomized controlled trials are warranted to indicate the preferred reconstruction technique after PG.

Comparison of proximal gastrectomy with double-flap technique and double-tract reconstruction for proximal early gastric cancer: a meta-analysis

Surgical resection is the main treatment for proximal gastric cancer, but there is no consensus on its reconstruction. We carried out a meta-analysis to evaluate the effects of double-tract reconstruction (DTR) and double-flap technique (DFT) on postoperative quality of life in patients with proximal gastric cancer. Systematic searches of PubMed, Web of Science, EBSCO, and the Cochrane Library were performed. Literature for the last 5 years was searched without language restrictions. The cutoff date for the search was 12 April 2023. Literature and research searches were conducted independently by two researchers and data were extracted. Statistical analyses were performed using Review Manager (Revman) 5.4 software. Fixed models were used when heterogeneity was small and random-effects models were used for meta-analysis when heterogeneity was large. The study was registered with PROSPERO, CRD 42023418520. Surgical time was significantly shorter in the DTR group than in the DFT group (P = 0.03). There were no significant differences between DFT and DTR in terms of age, gender, pathological stage, preoperative body mass index, surgical bleeding, and perioperative complications. There was no statistically significant difference between the two groups in terms of reflux esophagitis and PPI intake, but DFT was superior to DTR in weight improvement at 1 year after surgery (P < 0.0001). Compared with DTR, DFT reconstruction is more demanding and time-consuming, but its postoperative nutritional status is better, so it should be the first choice for GI reconstruction in most patients with early proximal gastric cancer. However, DTR should be the best choice for patients who have difficulty operating.

[Anastomotic techniques in minimally invasive esophageal and gastric surgery]

In specialized centers minimally invasive surgery has become established as the standard of care for esophageal and gastric surgery. Offering equal oncological outcome, patients benefit with respect to lower postoperative pain and complication rates. The creation of the anastomosis during minimally invasive surgery remains a critical step and the complications are decisive for the immediate postoperative course. So far no clear consensus exists in the literature regarding the recommended techniques for placement of an anastomosis after resections in the upper gastrointestinal tract. This article summarizes and compares the various established anastomotic techniques used in minimally invasive esophageal and gastric surgery.