The crossover technique for intracorporeal esophagojejunostomy following laparoscopic total gastrectomy: a simple and safe technique using a linear stapler and two barbed sutures

Overlapping Esophagojejunostomy Using a Linear Stapler in Laparoscopic Total or Proximal Gastrectomy

Background: Performing an intracorporeal esophagojejunostomy during laparoscopic-assisted total or proximal gastrectomy is challenging. We developed an ingenious method of overlapping esophagojejunostomy using a linear stapler to avoid stapler-related intraoperative complications. Methods: Following lymph node dissection, the esophagus was transected anterior-posteriorly. A linear stapler was used to divide the jejunum ∼20 cm distal to the Treitz ligament. A small enterotomy was then created 5 cm distal to the elevated jejunal stump to insert the linear stapler cartridge. An electronic knife was used to make a full-thickness incision, with the tip of the nasogastric tube (NGT) pressed against the posterior wall of the esophageal stump as a guide. Full-thickness sutures were placed on both the anterior and posterior walls of the entry hole in the esophageal stump to prevent the anvil fork from being misinserted into the submucosal layer of the esophagus. The thread on the posterior wall was guided through the port to the outside of the abdominal cavity, where the linear stapler was inserted to perform the side-to-side anastomosis. A 45-mm cartridge fork and an anvil fork were inserted into the elevated jejunum and esophageal stump entry holes, respectively, following which the esophageal stump was gently grasped. The thread on the posterior wall side was pulled from outside the abdominal cavity through the port. This step is necessary to close the gap between the esophageal and jejunal walls. After confirming that the anvil fork was not misinserted into the submucosal layer of the esophagus and that there was no gap between the esophagus and the elevated jejunum, the linear stapler was fired to create the anastomosis. The insertion hole was closed with hand-sewn sutures or linear staples to complete the esophagojejunostomy. Results: Eleven patients underwent this procedure with no anastomotic complications. Conclusions: This method enables us to perform an easier and more stable esophagojejunostomy.

Feasibility and preliminary experience of single-incision plus one-port laparoscopic total gastrectomy with Overlap esophagojejunostomy for gastric cancer: A study of 10 cases

Background

This study aimed to explore the feasibility and safety of single-incision plus one-port laparoscopic total gastrectomy (SITG + 1) with Overlap esophagojejunostomy (SITG + 1-Overlap) and to share preliminary experiences.

Methods

This retrospective study included 10 patients with gastric cancer located in the cardia or body who underwent SITG + 1-Overlap between August 2020 and October 2021.The demographics, tumor characteristics, postoperative outcomes, and short-term complications of all the enrolled patients were summarized and statistically analyzed. Data were expressed as mean ± standard deviation (SD) if they were normally distributed. Otherwise, Median (Quartile1, Quartile3) was used.

Results

In the collective perioperative data of these 10 patients who underwent radical gastrectomy, the median of the length of transumbilical incision and blood loss were 3.0 cm and 100.0 ml respectively, and the mean operation time and 385.5 ± 51.6 min. Postoperative data indicated that the gastric tube was removed on 2.0 (2.0, 3.0) days, and the timing of first feeding, activity, flatus, and defecation was 1.5 (1.0, 2.0) days, 2.0 (2.0, 2.0) days, 3.0 (2.0, 3.0) days, and 3.8 ± 0.6 days, respectively. The timing of drainage tube removal was 4.6 ± 1.0 days after operation. The duration of hospital stay was 7.5 ± 1.2 days and the VAS pain scores for the 3 days following surgery were 3.0 (2.0, 3.3), 2.0 (2.0, 3.0), and 1.5 (1.0, 2.0) respectively. The mean number of retrieved lymph nodes was 30.7 ± 13.2. Most biochemical indicators gradually normalized with the recovery of the patients after surgery. No 30-day postoperative complications were noted.

Conclusions

For the first time, our preliminary data indicate the feasibility and safety of Overlap esophagojejunostomy in SITG + 1 surgery. This modified Overlap procedure has the potential to simplify the reconstruction procedure and lower the technical challenge of SITG + 1 radical gastrectomy for cardia or upper gastric cancer in the early and advanced stages.

Feasibility and Short-Term Outcomes of Three-Dimensional Hand-Sewn Esophago-Jejunal Anastomosis in Completely Laparoscopic Total Gastrectomy for Cancer

Laparoscopic total gastrectomy is on the rise. One of the most technically demanding steps of the approach is the construction of esophago-jejunal anastomosis. Several laparoscopic anastomotic techniques have been described, like linear stapler side-to-side or circular stapler end-to-side anastomosis; limited data exist regarding hand-sewn esophago-jejunal anastomosis. The study took place between January 2018 and June 2021. Patients enrolled in this study were adults with proximal gastric or esophago-gastric junction Siewert type III tumors that underwent 3D-assisted laparoscopic total gastrectomy. A hand-sewn esophago-jejunal anastomosis was performed in all cases laparoscopically. Forty consecutive cases were performed during the study period. Median anastomotic suturing time was 55 min, with intra-operative methylene blue leak test being negative in all cases. Median operating time was 240 min, and there were no conversions to open. The anastomotic leak rate and postoperative stricture rate were zero. The 30- and 90-day mortality rates were zero. Laparoscopic manual esophago-jejunal anastomosis utilizing a 3D platform in total gastrectomy for cancer can be performed with excellent outcomes regarding anastomotic leak and stricture rate. This anastomotic approach, although technically challenging, is safe and reproducible, with prominent results that can be disseminated in the surgical community.

Visceral fat area is a better indicator of surgical outcomes after laparoscopic gastrectomy for cancer than the body mass index: a propensity score-matched analysis

BACKGROUND

The number of overweight gastric cancer patients who are undergoing laparoscopic gastrectomy (LG) has increased in Japan. However, the relationship between obesity and surgical outcomes of LG remains unclear. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the effect of visceral fat area (VFA) on surgical outcomes of LG for gastric cancer compared to the body mass index (BMI).

METHODS

This study was a retrospective, cohort study that included 587 patients who underwent LG in our institution between January 2015 and December 2019. The patients were divided into two groups according to VFA (< 100 cm² and ≥ 100 cm²) and BMI (< 25 kg/m² and ≥ 25 kg/m²) values, respectively. Surgical outcomes and postoperative complications were compared between the low and high groups for each VFA and BMI value. Propensity score matching was used to minimize potential selection bias.

RESULTS

After propensity score matching, 144 pairs of patients in the VFA group and 82 pairs of patients in the BMI group were extracted. Operative time (p = 0.003), intraoperative blood loss (p = 0.0006), and CRP levels on postoperative day 1 (p = 0.002) and on postoperative day 3 (p = 0.004) were significantly higher in the high-VFA group than in the low-VFA group. However, these surgical outcomes were not significantly different between the high-BMI and low-BMI groups. There was no strong correlation between VFA and BMI (R² = 0.64). There were no significant differences in postoperative complications between the high and low groups for both VFA and BMI values. On multivariate analysis, high VFA was an independent predictor of operative time, but it was not significantly associated with the incidence of postoperative complications.

CONCLUSION

VFA is a better indicator of longer operative time than BMI. However, increased VFA did not affect postoperative complications.

Advantages of Laparoscopic Surgery for Gastric Cancer in Elderly Patients Aged Over 80 Years: A Propensity Score Matching Analysis

BACKGROUND

The short- and long-term efficacy of laparoscopic surgery for elderly patients with gastric cancer has not been evaluated. We aimed to use propensity score matching to clarify the efficacy of laparoscopic gastrectomy (LG) for elderly patients with gastric cancer aged ≥80 years.

METHODS

We retrospectively collected data from 159 consecutive patients with gastric cancer aged ≥80 years who underwent gastrectomy with curative intent at our institution between 2004 and 2015. Propensity score matching was applied to compare the open gastrectomy (OG) and LG. Short- and long-term outcomes were evaluated between the propensity-matched groups.

RESULTS

Patients' backgrounds and surgical factors were similar in both groups except for blood loss. The median time to first flatus was significantly shorter in the LG group than in the OG group (P = 0.002). The postoperative hospital stay was significantly shorter in the LG group (P = 0.014). The complication rate of Clavien-Dindo grade III or higher was significantly lower in the LG group (3% vs. 23%, P = 0.023). The 5-year overall survival and 5-year disease-specific survival rates were better in the LG group than in the OG group, but the differences were not significant (45% vs. 42% and 67% vs 57%, respectively).

CONCLUSION

LG was associated with good short-term outcomes and acceptable oncologic outcomes compared with OG in these propensity-matched patients aged ≥80 years.

Intraoperative gastroscopy to determine proximal resection margin during totally laparoscopic gastrectomy for patients with upper third gastric cancer

Background

In totally laparoscopic gastrectomy (TLG), it is usually difficult to determine the proximal margin. Therefore, the present study evaluated the usefulness of intraoperative gastroscopy for direct marking of the tumor proximal margin during TLG for cancer in the upper third of the stomach.

Methods

This retrospective cohort study included 52 patients with gastric cancer who underwent TLG from January 2018 to May 2020. The proximal margin of tumors was determined by intraoperative gastroscopic methods.

Results

Patients were divided into short (1 cm) and long (2 cm) groups according to the distance to the proximal margin of the tumor. Participants consisted of 41 males and 11 females with a median age of 63.5 years. Tumors involving the esophagogastric junction (EGJ) occurred in 27 patients. Siewert type II and III tumors were present in 42 and 10 patients, respectively. The median operative time was 244 min. The long group had a statistically significant lower frequency of positive margin than the short group (0% vs. 17.4%, P=0.033). Total gastrectomy was performed in 35 patients, and 17 patients received proximal gastrectomy. No complications associated with the procedure occurred in any patient.

Conclusions

Intraoperative endoscopic views for tumor proximal localization can be used effectively during TLG for patients with upper third gastric cancer. Our results indicate that a distance of ≥2 cm from the proximal resection margin to the tumor was necessary to achieve a negative resection margin. In the future, this may be used as an alternative to frozen section diagnosis.

Risk Factors for the Severity of Complications in Minimally Invasive Total Gastrectomy for Gastric Cancer: a Retrospective Cohort Study

Purpose

Minimally invasive gastrectomy is a promising surgical method with well-known benefits, including reduced postoperative complications. However, for total gastrectomy of gastric cancers, this approach does not significantly reduce the risk of complications. Therefore, we aimed to evaluate the incidence and risk factors for the severity of complications associated with minimally invasive total gastrectomy for gastric cancer.

Materials and Methods

The study included 392 consecutive patients with gastric cancer who underwent either laparoscopic or robotic total gastrectomy between 2011 and 2019. Clinicopathological and operative characteristics were assessed to determine the features related to postoperative complications after minimally invasive total gastrectomy. Binomial and multinomial logistic regression models were used to identify the risk factors for overall complications and mild and severe complications, respectively.

Results

Of 103 (26.3%) patients experiencing complications, 66 (16.8%) and 37 (9.4%) developed mild and severe complications, respectively. On multivariate multinomial regression analysis, independent predictors of severe complications included obesity (OR, 2.56; 95% CI, 1.02−6.43; P=0.046), advanced stage (OR, 2.90; 95% CI, 1.13−7.43; P=0.026), and more intraoperative bleeding (OR, 1.04; 95% CI, 1.02−1.06; P=0.001). Operation time was the only independent risk factor for mild complications (OR, 1.06; 95% CI, 1.001−1.13; P=0.047).

Conclusions

The risk factors for mild and severe complications were associated with surgery, indicating surgical difficulty. Surgeons should be aware of these potential risks that are related to the severity of complications so as to reduce surgery-related complications after minimally invasive total gastrectomy for gastric cancer.

Evaluation of laparoscopic surgery for small bowel obstruction and factors related to outcomes

Introduction

In recent years, laparoscopic surgery (LS) has been performed for small bowel obstruction (SBO). However, the indications and short-term and long-term outcomes of LS for SBO have not yet been established.

Aim

To evaluate the usefulness of LS for SBO compared to open surgery (OS), as well as to identify risk factors for poor outcomes after LS.

Material and methods

A total of 105 patients who underwent surgery for SBO were divided into OS (n = 64) and LS (n = 41) groups, and propensity score-matched analysis was used to compare the short-term and long-term outcomes of the groups. Risk factors for conversion to OS, postoperative complications, and intraoperative bowel injury in LS were also identified.

Results

The incidences of surgical site infection and postoperative ileus were significantly lower in the LS group. The incidence of recurrent bowel did not differ significantly between the two groups. Prior bowel obstruction was a risk factor for conversion of LS to OS (odds ratio (OR) = 24.79, p = 0.0025). Bowel diameter was a risk factor for postoperative complications (OR = 1.50, 95% CI: 1.01–2.22) and for bowel injury (OR = 1.33, 95% CI: 1.05–1.67).

Conclusions

LS for SBO had better postoperative short-term outcomes than OS. The outcomes of LS for SBO were significantly affected by prior bowel obstruction and bowel diameter.

Left Dorsal Wall Anastomosis Compared with Parallel-Line Anastomosis for Intracorporeal Overlap Esophagojejunostomy during Laparoscopic Total Gastrectomy

Purpose

This study evaluated the safety and efficacy of totally laparoscopic total gastrectomy (TLTG) with esophagojejunostomy by comparing left dorsal wall anastomosis (LDA) with parallel-line anastomosis (PA) methods.

Methods

We retrospectively reviewed 28 patients who underwent laparoscopic total gastrectomy (LTG) for gastric cancer from January 2017 to September 2018. The patients were divided into two groups according to type of operation: 15 patients underwent PA and 13 underwent LDA. Clinico­pathologic characteristics and surgical outcomes in the two groups were compared and analyzed.

Results

Surgical outcomes of estimated blood loss, operation time, and length of postoperative stay were similar between the two groups. In addition, there was no statistical difference in total operation time (186.5±37.0 min vs. 209.0±36.9 min, p=0.121) between the two groups. However, compared with the PA group, the LDA group required fewer additional stitches for reinforcement (p=0.002).

Conclusion

Intracorporeal reconstruction of esophagojejunostomy using an LDA method may be a feasible and easy technique for TLTG compared with the PA method. Additional studies with larger sample sizes are needed to further support these results.

Barbed Suture and Gastrointestinal Surgery. A Retrospective Analysis

Although minimally invasive surgery is recognized as the gold standard of many surgical procedures, laparoscopic suturing is still considered as the most difficult skill in laparoscopic surgery.

The introduction of barbed sutures facilitates laparoscopic suturing because it is not necessary to tie a knot. The efficacy of this method has been evaluated in different types of surgery; however, less is known about general surgery.

We retrospectively analysed data from 378 patients who had undergone bariatric or surgical treatment for colic or gastric malignancy requiring a closure of gastroentero, entero-entero or enterocolotomy from January 2014 to January 2019, admitted to the General Surgery Unit and Operative Unit of Surgical Endoscopy of the University Federico II (Naples, Italy).

We registered 12 anastomotic leaks (3.1%), 16 anastomotic intraluminal bleedings (4.2%) and 7 extraluminal bleedings. Other complications included 23 cases of postoperative nausea and vomit (6%), 14 cases of postoperative ileus (3.7%) and 3 cases of intra-abdominal abscess (0.8%). Overall complications rate was 19.8% (75/378). No postoperative death was registered.

Thus, by pooling together 378 patients, we can assess that barbed suture could be considered safe and effective for closure of holes used for the introduction of a branch of mechanical stapler to perform intracorporeal anastomosis.