A novel procedure for Roux-en-Y reconstruction following laparoscopy-assisted distal gastrectomy: transoral placement of anvil and intracorporeal gastrojejunostomy via umbilical mini-laparotomy

[Reconstruction following gastrectomy]

Minimally invasive surgical techniques with respect to the treatment of gastric cancer have progressed rapidly over the last few years. Especially in Asia, where the incidence of gastric cancer is ten times higher than in Europe, surgery for gastric cancer is steadily evolving, especially regarding laparoscopic and robot-assisted procedures. This review first discusses the different options for reconstruction of the gastrointestinal passage after gastrectomy, ranging from Billroth procedures to the latest developments, such as the double tract reconstruction. In particular, the possibility of function-preserving partial gastrectomy, such as proximal and distal gastric resection and the corresponding reconstruction techniques are presented. The latest studies and technical developments are presented, especially with respect to laparoscopically assisted, completely laparoscopic and robot-assisted gastrectomies.

Feasibility and Safety of Laparoscopy-Assisted Subtotal Gastrectomy for Gastric Cancer Invading the Upper Stomach

This study evaluated the feasibility and safety of laparoscopy-assisted subtotal gastrectomy preserving a minimal remnant stomach for clinical T1 gastric cancer invading the upper stomach. Forty-three consecutive patients who underwent laparoscopy-assisted subtotal gastrectomy preserving a minimal remnant stomach were examined. In addition to the conventional laparoscopy-assisted distal gastrectomy, some short and posterior gastric arteries were resected. A minimal remnant stomach-jejunum anastomosis was made by using a circular stapler with regular anvil or transoral anvil. Transoral anvil was selected in 19 patients, and regular anvil was used in 24 patients. The median operation time was 288 minutes, and the median blood loss was 50 mL. Conversion to open surgery was required in 2 patients due to bleeding. No patient required conversion to open surgery due to the difficulty of the anastomosis. Nine patients developed postoperative complications, including grade 3 duodenal stump leakage in 1 patient and grade 2 anastomotic bleeding in another patient. No mortality was observed. Laparoscopy-assisted subtotal gastrectomy preserving a minimal remnant stomach is safe and feasible for early gastric cancer invading the upper stomach.

Totally laparoscopic gastrectomy for early gastric cancer accompanied by huge hiatal hernia: A case report

We herein present a case in which we used a totally laparoscopic approach for early gastric cancer accompanied by a huge hiatal hernia. An 80-year-old Japanese woman was referred with a chief complaint of dysphagia. A clinical diagnosis of early gastric cancer, T1b (SM) N0M0, stage IA, accompanied by hiatal hernia, was made. Distal gastrectomy with D1 plus lymphadenectomy was carried out. After the gastrectomy, the hernial sac was excised and the hernial orifice was closed. Reconstruction using the Roux-en-Y method was selected. The postoperative course was uneventful and she was discharged on postoperative day 10.

Retrocolic roux-en-Y anastomosis for total laparoscopic distal gastrectomy: fix-the-remnant-first technique

INTRODUCTION

Herein we report our retrocolic Roux-en-Y anastomosis for laparoscopic distal gastrectomy and its feasibility.

MATERIALS AND SURGICAL TECHNIQUE

After laparoscopic distal gastrectomy with lymphadenectomy, the gastric remnant was fixed through the mesentery of the transverse colon. The gastrojejunostomy was performed with linear stapling devices at an angle that allowed for easy application. The jejunojejunostomy was also performed with linear stapling devices. All spaces between the mesentery were hand-sewn closed. This procedure was performed laparoscopically without additional incisions in all 34 patients. The median operative time was 365 min and the median blood loss was 50 mL. All patients started liquid intake the day after gastrectomy. There were three cases of Grade 1 complications and one Grade 2 complication per the Clavien-Dindo Classification. Patients' weights after surgery were stable at the 36-month follow-up.

DISCUSSION

The advantages of Roux-en-Y reconstruction have been reported to include less frequent anastomotic leakage, less gastritis and less bile reflux over the long term. The retrocolic reconstructions were performed in a manner similar to open surgery but under a laparoscopic view. The mesentery closure stitches to prevent internal herniation did not require as many stitches as the antecolic route and were easier to place. Our anastomosis for laparoscopic distal gastrectomy showed acceptable short-term results, with patients maintaining up to 91.0% of their preoperative weight and nutritional input. By fixing the remnant stomach to the mesentery of the transverse colon before the anastomosis, we easily completed the retrocolic Roux-en-Y anastomosis under laparoscopic view.

Intracorporeal anastomosis in laparoscopic gastric cancer surgery

Laparoscopic gastrectomy has become widely used as a minimally invasive technique for the treatment of gastric cancer. When it was first introduced, most surgeons preferred a laparoscopic-assisted approach with a minilaparotomy rather than a totally laparoscopic procedure because of the technical challenges of achieving an intracorporeal anastomosis. Recently, with improved skills and instruments, several surgeons have reported the safety and feasibility of a totally laparoscopic gastrectomy with intracorporeal anastomosis. This review describes the recent technical advances in intracorporeal anastomoses using circular and linear staplers that allow for totally laparoscopic distal, total, and proximal gastrectomies. Data that demonstrate advantages in early surgical outcomes of a total laparoscopic method compared to laparoscopic-assisted operations are also discussed.