Comparison on the Efficacy of Double Tract Gastric Interposition Reconstruction Versus Jejunal Interposition Reconstruction After Proximal Gastrectomy

Tunnel anastomosis: a modified flap technique in esophagogastrostomy as a novel antireflux technique after proximal gastrectomy

BACKGROUND

The prevalence of proximal gastric cancer (PGC) has been increasing rapidly worldwide. Postoperative reflux esophagitis after conventional esophagogastrostomy (EG) is a major problem that haunts surgeons. This study designed a novel antireflux technique called tunnel anastomosis in EG after proximal gastrectomy (PG). This study aimed to present the detailed procedures of tunnel anastomosis and to assess its safety and feasibility by comparing the surgical outcomes, reflux, and nutritional status of patients undergoing tunnel anastomosis and those undergoing double-tract jejunal interposition reconstruction (DTJIR).

METHODS

A total of 1718 patients undergoing gastrectomy were enrolled in this study. However, only 150 patients undergoing PG were ultimately analyzed, of which 21 patients underwent tunnel anastomosis and 129 patients underwent DTJIR. Propensity score matching (PSM) was used to reduce biases.

RESULTS

After 1:1 PSM, there were 21 patients in both groups. No significant differences were observed between the 2 groups regarding surgical approach, blood loss, operative time, reconstruction time, postoperative hospital stay, morbidity, and mortality. The incidence of reflux esophagitis in both groups was 9.5% (2/21) according to the endoscopic examination at the 12-month postoperative follow-up. No patient in the tunnel group was classified as grade B or higher according to the Los Angeles classification. Patients in the tunnel and DTJIR groups exhibited comparable postoperative nutritional status when assessing the body weight, albumin levels and prognostic nutritional index value at 3 and 6 months after surgery.

CONCLUSION

Tunnel anastomosis is a safe technique that offers a robust antireflux effect and can be performed in some suitable patients with PGC.

Protocol for Comparing the Efficacy of Three Reconstruction Methods of the Digestive Tract (Kamikawa Versus Double-Tract Reconstruction Versus Tube-Like Stomach) After Proximal Gastrectomy

Background

Appropriate gastrointestinal reconstruction after proximal gastrectomy can effectively reduce the incidence of postoperative complications in patients with proximal early gastric cancer. However, there is still great controversy about the choice of digestive tract reconstruction after proximal gastrectomy, and there is no clinical consensus on the choice of digestive tract reconstruction after proximal gastrectomy. Currently, there is a lack of large-sample, prospective, randomized controlled studies to compare the efficacy of Kamikawa, double-tract reconstruction, and tube-like stomach reconstruction after proximal gastrectomy.

Methods/design

This study will investigate the efficacy of three reconstruction methods after proximal gastrectomy in a prospective, multicenter, randomized controlled trial, which will enroll 180 patients with proximal early gastric cancer. Patients will be randomly divided into three groups: Group A (Kamikawa, n = 60), Group B (double-tract reconstruction, n = 60), and Group C (tube-like stomach, n = 60). The general information, past medical history, laboratory findings, imaging findings, and surgical procedures of the patients will be recorded and analyzed. The incidence of reflux esophagitis will be recorded as the primary endpoint. The incidence of anastomotic leakage, anastomotic stenosis, operative time and intraoperative blood loss will be recorded as secondary endpoints.

Discussion

This study will establish a large-sample, prospective, randomized controlled trial to compare the efficacy of Kamikawa, double-tract reconstruction, and tube-like stomach reconstruction after proximal gastrectomy.

Trial registration

This study was approved by the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry and registered on April 30, 2021. The registration number is ChiCTR2100045975.