Postoperative functional evaluation of jejunal interposition with or without a pouch after a total gastrectomy for gastric cancer

Ileocolic Interposition as a Gastric Substitute in Patients with Total Gastrectomy; Case Series and Literature Review

Background: The standard method for reconstruction after total gastrectomy is Roux-en-Y reconstruction, which has several negative points such as malabsorption. The most important reasons for weight loss in these patients are reserval insufficiency and reduction of food-digestive juice blending. We suggest that the creation of a food reserve with a natural conduit by ileocolic interposition may help the patient to have more normal diet habits and prevent severe weight loss. Methods: The study enrolled 8 patients with proximal gastric cancer, who underwent total gastrectomy with omentectomy and D2 lymphadenectomy. Then, the ileocolic segment with its vasculature was prepared and the anastomosis was done like right colon interposition between esophagus and duodenum. Intraoperative and postoperative events and also nutritional conditions were recorded. Results: Among 8 patients enrolled in the study, not an intraoperative bad event nor anastomotic site leakage, abscess formation, or other significant post-operative complication were seen. Except for the first two patients, the rest did not suffer from dysphagia. None of the patients suffered from delayed, chronic, or uncontrolled vomiting. All patients experienced weight loss postoperatively but after 2 months, they gained weight. Barium examination and also upper endoscopy revealed that the patients had normal reserval volume, no evidence of erosion or ulceration, no evidence of biliary esophagitis or reflux, and absence of tumor relapse. Conclusions: Because of the nutritional benefits of ileocolic interposition after total gastrectomy in gastric cancer treatment, it can be used as an acceptable alternative method of reconstruction in a subgroup of selected patients.

Current status of laparoscopic proximal gastrectomy in proximal gastric cancer: Technical details and oncologic outcomes

The incidence of proximal gastric cancer has been increasing continuously. This status has prevailed despite the application of laparoscopic proximal gastrectomy as a surgical treatment for early proximal gastric cancer. The widespread adoption and standardization of this surgical procedure as the primary treatment for the abovementioned cancer has been hampered by the lack of consensus on the optimal reconstruction method after proximal gastrectomy. In addition, the oncological safety of proximal gastrectomy for advanced gastric disease remains unclear. We reviewed the English-language literature to clarify the current status of laparoscopic proximal gastrectomy in proximal gastric cancer. Japanese gastric cancer guidelines have suggested three types of reconstructions for proximal gastrectomy, namely, esophagogastrostomy, double-tract reconstruction, and jejunal interposition. Optimal reconstruction methods remain to be determined because of the lack of adequately performed and well-designed randomized controlled trials. The technical complexity and challenging implementation of reconstruction procedures have resulted in several complications with anastomoses. Multicenter randomized controlled trials are necessary to evaluate the various reconstruction methods and the oncological safety of laparoscopic proximal gastrectomy for advanced gastric disease.

Extreme dilatation of the interposed jejunal pouch after proximal gastrectomy associated with portal venous gas: A case report

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Dilatation of the interposed jejunal pouch developed after proximal gastrectomy.

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Shock state with portal venous gas was restored after conservative therapy.

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The pouch dilatation recurred soon after resuming oral ingestion.

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Resection of the pouch with R-Y esophagojejunostomy relieved the patient.

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Surgical intervention should be considered for refractory pouch dilatation.

Introduction

The jejunal pouch interposition (JPI) after proximal gastrectomy (PG) was proposed as a reconstructive procedure to provide a gastric reservoir substitute and prevent postgastrectomy syndrome. However, food residue remaining in some of the pouches resulted in the adverse effect of abdominal bloating, thereby body weight loss. Here, we report a rare case with an extreme dilation of the interposed jejunal pouch (JP) 8 years after PG, requiring pouch resection.

Presentation of case

A 65-year-old-man who had undergone PG with an inverted U-shaped JPI for early gastric cancer 8 years previously, suffered from shock after right hip joint implantation. Abdominal enhanced CT scan revealed an extremely dilated JP accompanied by portal venous gas. After 5 months of conservative therapy, he underwent resection of the JP and gastric remnant with Roux-en-Y esophagojejunostomy reconstruction. After the operation, the patient has remained in good health for over 3 years.

Discussion and conclusion

Long-term operative outcome following pouch operation for gastric cancer still remains controversial. Surgical intervention should be considered when we encounter patients who have refractory pouch dilatation after surgery for gastric cancer.

J-pouch versus Roux-en-Y reconstruction after gastrectomy: functional assessment and quality of life (randomized trial)

Purpose

The aim of this study was to evaluate the quality of life and functional emptying of J-pouch versus Roux-en-Y reconstruction after total gastrectomy for malignancy.

Methods

This study was designed as a prospective, nonblinded, randomized, parallel clinical trial (Trial Number: MN Ostrava, 200604). With informed consent, patients undergoing gastrectomy for malignancy were randomized to J-pouch or Roux-en-Y reconstruction. The time taken for a test semisolid meal labeled with ^99mTc-sulfur colloid to exit the reconstructed parts was measured by dynamic scintigraphy 1 year after resection. Quality of life was measured using the Eypasch questionnaire at the same time as functional emptying assessment. This trial was investigator-initiated.

Results

In all, 72 patients were included into the study. The time taken for the test meal to exit the postgastrectomy reconstruction was 16.5±10.0 minutes (mean ± standard deviation) in the Roux-en-Y group and 89.4±37.8 minutes in the “J-pouch” group; the difference was statistically significant (P<0.001). Emptying of the J-pouch appeared to be a linear decreasing function compared to the exponential pattern seen in the Roux-en-Y group. The quality of life measurement showed scores of 106±18.8 points (mean ± standard deviation) in the Roux-en-Y group compared to 122±22.5 points in the J-pouch group; the difference was statistically significant (P=0.0016). There were no important adverse events.

Conclusion

After total gastrectomy, a J-pouch reconstruction empties more slowly and is associated with higher quality of life compared to Roux-en-Y reconstruction. Whether these two observations have a direct causative link remains unanswered.

Restoration of gastrointestinal motility ameliorates nutritional deficiencies and body weight loss of patients who undergo laparoscopy-assisted proximal gastrectomy

BACKGROUND

Esophagogastrostomy after proximal gastrectomy (PG) is a simple and safe reconstruction, but it leads to a high incidence of reflux esophagitis and impairs postoperative quality of life. We have already reported gastric tube (GT) reconstruction after PG and performed it on more than 100 patients. No studies have reported long-term outcomes after PG-GT. The aim of this study was to investigate long-term outcomes, including nutrition indices, such as body weight, serum albumin, total protein, hemoglobin, and ferritin after PG, and observe recovery of upper gastrointestinal tract motility.

METHODS

We analyzed body weight loss and laboratory findings at our outpatient clinic at 1, 6, 12, 24, 36, 48, and 60 months postoperatively. Manometric recording was carried out at 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 years after surgery.

RESULTS

The percentage change in body weight in the PG-GT group was significantly larger than that in the PG-JI and TG-RY groups at 2.5, 3, 4, and 5 years after surgery. The levels of hemoglobin and ferritin in the PG-GT and PG-JI groups were significantly higher than those in the TG-RY group at all time points except 6 months after surgery. In the fasted state, the phase III originated at the gastric tube was propagated to the duodenum 3 years after surgery. In the fed state, phasic contractions of the duodenum were in harmony with gastric tube contractions 3 years after surgery.

CONCLUSIONS

PG-GT is the least invasive procedure, and restoration of gastrointestinal motilities in the gastric tube and duodenum may ameliorate body weight loss and nutritional status, including anemia, in patients after PG.

Function-preserving gastrectomy for gastric cancer in Japan

Surgery used to be the only therapy for gastric cancer, and since its ability to cure gastric cancer was the focus of attention, less attention was paid to function-preserving surgery in gastric cancer, though it was studied for gastroduodenal ulcer. Maki et al developed pylorus-preserving gastrectomy for gastric ulcer in 1967. At the same time, the definition of early gastric cancer (EGC) was being considered, histopathological investigations of EGC were carried out, and the validity of modified surgery was sustained. After the development of H2-blockers, the number of operations for gastroduodenal ulcers decreased, and the number of EGC patients increased simultaneously. As a result, the indications for pylorus-preserving gastrectomy for EGC in the middle third of the stomach extended, and various alterations were added. Since then, many kinds of function-preserving gastrectomies have been performed and studied in other fields of gastric cancer, and proximal gastrectomy, jejunal pouch interposition, segmental gastrectomy, and local resection have been performed. On the other hand, from the overall perspective, it can be said that endoscopic resection, which was launched at almost the same time, is the ultimate function-preserving surgery under the current circumstances. The current function-preserving gastrectomies that are often performed and studied are pylorus-preserving gastrectomy and proximal gastrectomy. The reasons for this are that these procedures that can be performed with systemic lymph node dissection, and they include three important elements: (1) reduction of the extent of gastrectomy; (2) preservation of the pylorus; and (3) preservation of the vagal nerve. In addition, these operations are more likely to be performed with a laparoscopic approach as minimally invasive surgery. Of the above-mentioned three elements, reduction of the extent of gastrectomy is the most important in our view. Therefore, we should try to reduce the extent of gastrectomy if curability of the gastric cancer can still be achieved. However, if we preserve a wider residual stomach in function-preserving gastrectomy, we should pay attention to the development of metachronous gastric cancer.

Reconstruction with Jejunal Pouch after Gastrectomy for Gastric Cancer

The construction of a gastric substitute pouch after gastrectomy for gastric cancer has been proposed to help ameliorate postprandial symptoms and nutritional performance. Adequate reconstruction after gastrectomy is an important issue, because postoperative patient quality of life (QOL) primarily depends on the reconstruction method. To this end, jejunal pouch (JP) reconstructions were developed to improve the patient's eating capacity and QOL by creating large reservoirs with improved reflux barriers to prevent esophagitis and residual gastritis. It is important that such reconstructions also preserve blood and extrinsic neural integrity for maintaining pouch function, because JP motility is associated directly with QOL. Some problems remain to be resolved with the JP reconstructions method including gastrointestinal motility, which plays a major role in food transfer, digestion, and absorption of nutrients. Further studies including basic research and larger prospective randomized control trials are also needed to obtain definitive results. With persistent innovations in surgical techniques, JP after gastrectomy could become a safe and preferable reconstructive modality to improve patient QOL after gastrectomy.

Tissue engineering of the stomach

Tissue engineering combines engineering principles with the biological sciences to create functional replacement tissues. The underlying principle of tissue engineering is that isolated cells combined with biomaterials can form new tissues and organs in vitro and in vivo. This review focuses on stomach tissue engineering, which is a promising approach to the treatment of gastric cancer, the fourth most common malignancy in the world and the second-leading cause of cancer mortality worldwide. Although gastrectomy is a reliable intervention to achieve complete removal of cancer lesions, the limited capacity for food intake after resection results in lower quality of life for patients. To address this issue, we have developed a tissue-engineered stomach to increase the capacity for food intake by creating a new food reservoir. We have transplanted this neo-stomach as a substitute for the original native stomach in a rat model and confirmed functional adaptation. Furthermore, we have demonstrated the feasibility of transplanting a tissue-engineered gastric wall patch in a rat model to alleviate the complications after resection of a large area of the gastric wall. Although progress has been achieved, significant challenges remain to bring this approach to clinical practice. Here, we summarize our work and present the state of the art in stomach tissue engineering.

Postoperative long-term evaluation of interposition reconstruction compared with Roux-en-Y after total gastrectomy in gastric cancer: prospective randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND

The postoperative clinical superiority of the interposition of jejunum reconstruction (INT) to Roux-en-Y reconstruction (RY) after total gastrectomy has not been clarified. Postoperative quality of life (QOL) was evaluated between the 2 methods by a multi-institutional prospective randomized trial.

METHODS

A total of 103 patients with gastric cancer were prospectively randomly divided into groups for RY (n = 51) or INT reconstruction (n = 52) after total gastrectomy. They were stratified by sex, age, institute, histology, and degree of lymph node dissection. Postoperatively, body mass index (BMI) and nutritional conditions were measured serially, and QOL and postoperative squalor scores were evaluated at 3, 12, and 60 months and compared between the 2 groups.

RESULTS

After removing patients who did not complete the follow-up survey or censured cases, 24 patients in the RY group and 18 patients in the INT group were clinically available and their postoperative status was assessed. QOL scores were increased and complication scores were improved in the postoperative periods (P < .01). Postoperative BMI significantly deteriorated compared with preoperative BMI in each group. The postoperative QOL and complication scores at 60 months after surgery were significantly better than those at 3 months after surgery in each group (P < .01). However, there was no significant difference of QOL scores and postoperative complication scores between the 2 reconstruction groups. The nutritional condition in the INT group was nearly the same as that in the RY group.

CONCLUSIONS

Although our patient sample was small and patients who did not complete the follow-up survey were present, we could not identify any clinical difference between INT and RY after total gastrectomy 60 months after surgery. The safer and simpler RY method may be a more suitable reconstruction method than INT after total gastrectomy.

Mosapride citrate improves postoperative ileus of patients with colectomy

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Postoperative ileus is a transient bowel dysmotility that occurs following many types of operations and is a common complication of gastrointestinal surgery. Mosapride citrate is an agonist of the 5-hydroxytryptamine 4 receptor and accelerates upper gut motility. No study has evaluated its effect on gastrointestinal motility after surgery. The aim of this study was to investigate whether mosapride citrate reduces the duration of postoperative ileus.

METHODS

Thirty patients with colon cancer who underwent colectomy were divided into two groups: the mosapride group and the control group. The mosapride group received mosapride 15 mg by mouth with a minimal amount of water three times a day, starting on postoperative day 1. The control group received only a minimal amount of water on the same schedule. Patients were allowed to resume oral feeding on postoperative day 4. Postoperative time to first flatus and defecation were evaluated, and the amount of food intake was observed. Gastrointestinal motility was recorded on postoperative day 8.

RESULTS

The appearance ratio of interdigestive migrating contractions and the motility index at the antrum and duodenum were significantly higher in the mosapride group than in the control group. The time to first flatus and defecation were significantly shorter in the mosapride group than in the control group. The amount of food intake on postoperative days 6 and 7 was significantly larger in the mosapride group than in the control group.

CONCLUSION

Mosapride citrate reduces the duration of postoperative ileus and may improve outcomes after gastrointestinal surgery.

A new pouch reconstruction method after total gastrectomy (pouch-double tract method) improved the postoperative quality of life of patients with gastric cancer

PURPOSE

Many reconstruction methods after total gastrectomy (TG) lead patients to dumping syndrome, reflux esophagitis, and poor postoperative quality of life (QOL). To improve patients' postoperative QOL after TG, we introduce a new reconstruction method named "pouch-double tract" (PDT).

METHODS

A prospective randomized study was performed between 2005 and 2007 in 29 patients who were diagnosed as stage I or II gastric cancers preoperatively. Patients were followed until the end of 2009. Conventional Roux-en-Y reconstruction (RY) was performed in 15 patients, and PDT was used in 14 patients. Postoperative patients' nutritional assessments and patients' QOL were compared between the groups.

RESULTS

PDT did not increase morbidity or mortality compared with RY. Patients in the PDT group did not complain of dumping and showed better postoperative food intake. Body weight recovered better in PDT than in RY.

CONCLUSION

PDT is safe and associated with better nutritional status compared with the RY.

Early dumping syndrome and reflux esophagitis prevention with pouch reconstruction

BACKGROUND

Total gastrectomy causes numerous disorders, such as reflux esophagitis, dumping syndrome, malabsorption, and malnutrition. To minimize the consequences, different variants of reconstruction are performed. The aim of our study is the comparison of two reconstructive methods: the standard Roux-en-Y and a new modality of pouch interposition, preduodenal-pouch interposition. This study aims to investigate the advantage of bile reflux prevention and to reduce symptoms of dumping syndrome after 3- and 6-mo follow-up.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A total of 60 patients were divided in two groups: (A) 30 patients with Roux-en-Y reconstruction, and (B) 30 patients with the preduodenal-pouch (PDP) type of reconstruction. Endoscopic examination and endoluminal jejunal limb pressure measurements were performed. Scintigraphic measurements of half-emptying time were performed to evaluate meal elimination in the context of reflux esophagitis and early dumping syndrome. The Japan Society of Gastrointestinal Surgery has provided guidelines with which to classify the symptoms of early dumping syndrome. Patients were followed up for periods of 3 and 6 mo after the surgery.

RESULTS

Our study groups did not differ with regard to the level of reflux esophagitis (P = 0.688). Average values of pressure at 10 and 15 cm below the esophago-jejunal junction were significantly lower in the PDP group (P < 0.001). Elimination of the test meal between two groups was not significant (P = 0.222). Evaluation of early dumping syndrome symptoms revealed a significant reduction among PDP patients after 3 and 6 mo.

CONCLUSION

Our study showed significant superiority of the new pouch reconstruction over the standard Roux-en-Y approach in the treatment of early dumping syndrome.

The effect of traditional Japanese medicine (Kampo) on gastrointestinal function

Traditional Japanese medicine (Kampo) is used to treat various disorders of the gastrointestinal tract in Japan, where it is fully integrated into the modern healthcare system. Recently, scientific research on herbal medicine in Japan has been reported in English journals. The objective of the current review is to introduce two traditional Japanese medicines and to provide evidenced-based information regarding their use. Daikenchuto, which consists of three different herbs, is the most frequently prescribed traditional Japanese medicine in Japan. Daikenchuto stimulates gastrointestinal motility though a neural reflex involving presynaptic cholinergic and 5-HT3 receptors. Daikenchuto improves postoperative bowel motility and postoperative ileus. Furthermore, it is reported to cause an increase in gastrointestinal hormones (motilin, vasoactive intestinal peptide, and calcitonin gene-related peptide) and intestinal blood flow. Rikkunshito, a traditional Japanese medicine consisting of eight herbs, is thought to stimulate gastrointestinal motility and ghrelin secretion. Rikkunshito is effective for improving the symptoms of functional dyspepsia, gastroesophageal reflux disease, and cisplatin-induced anorexia and vomiting. Traditional Japanese medicine has the potential to be used successfully in the treatment of gastrointestinal disorders. Details regarding the physiological and clinical effects of traditional Japanese medicine must be further examined in order to become more widely accepted in other countries.

Reconstruction after gastrectomy: which technique is best?

Several reconstruction techniques are possible after gastrectomy. The best reconstruction is one, that maintains satisfactory nutritional status and quality of life while keeping postoperative morbidity as low as possible. The aim of this study was to describe the different reconstruction techniques that can be proposed after distal and total gastrectomy, heeding to the French guidelines on the use of mechanical sutures in these indications. We then conducted a review of randomized trials dealing with reconstruction techniques after distal and total gastrectomy. After distal gastrectomy, Roux-en-Y reconstruction seems superior to Billroth I and Billroth II reconstructions in terms of functional outcomes and long-term endoscopic results and should be chosen in patients with benign disease or superficial tumors. Otherwise, Billroth II should be preferred over Billroth I reconstruction because of lower postoperative morbidity and better oncologic margins. After total gastrectomy, Roux-en-Y reconstruction remains the easiest solution, with satisfactory functional results. Addition of a pouch reservoir after Roux-en-Y reconstruction seems to improve short-term functional outcome after total gastrectomy with better potential for nutritional intake. In the long-term, quality of life seems better mainly in patients with small-resected tumors associated with a good prognosis.

Pouch vs. no pouch following total gastrectomy: meta-analysis and systematic review

OBJECTIVES

Whether reconstruction after total gastrectomy for gastric malignancies should be done with or without a pouch is a controversial issue in clinical research. There is still no consensus on the reconstruction technique of choice. The aim of this report was to assess the value of pouch formation as a gastric substitute after total gastrectomy compared with reconstruction techniques without a pouch.

METHODS

A systematic literature search of the Medline database and the Cochrane Library was carried out and a meta-analysis executed according to the Quality of Reporting Meta-Analyses (QUOROM) statement. Only randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing reconstruction techniques with and without a pouch were eligible for inclusion. All trials were independently assessed by two authors. Data on perioperative parameters, postgastrectomy symptoms, eating capability, body weight, and quality of life were extracted from the RCTs for meta-analysis using random-effects models for the calculation of pooled estimates of treatment effects.

RESULTS

Nine RCTs comparing Roux-en-Y reconstructions with and without pouch and four RCTs comparing jejunal interpositions with and without a pouch were included. The results of the meta-analyses show that additional pouch formation does not significantly increase morbidity or mortality and does not considerably extend the operating time or the hospital stay. Patients with a pouch complained significantly less of dumping and heartburn and showed a significantly better food intake postoperatively. Quality of life was significantly improved in patients with a pouch compared with patients without a pouch. This difference even increased over time from 6 to 12 and 24 months postoperatively.

CONCLUSIONS

This meta-analysis highlights some clinical advantages of pouch reconstruction after total gastrectomy.

Comparing aboral versus oral pouch with preserved duodenal passage after total gastrectomy: does the position of the gastric substitute reservoir count?

BACKGROUND

Total gastrectomy results in a significant weight loss, different postgastrectomy symptoms, and a reduction in quality of life. Elaborate surgical reconstruction methods are evaluated to improve results. The present study compares two types of reconstructions--an aboral pouch with preserved duodenal passage and an oral pouch with preserved duodenal passage--differing only in the site of the pouch.

METHODS

Twenty-eight patients entered the study. Primary outcome measures--body weight, body mass index, and quality of life, and secondary outcome measures--serum nutritional parameters, scintigraphic small-intestinal passage, and lipid and carbohydrate absorption were measured 6, 12, and 24 months after surgery.

RESULTS

No significant differences were found in anthropometric parameters or in quality of life between the groups. Regarding the secondary outcome measures, albumin levels were higher in the oral pouch group, while protein and immunoglobulin-A levels were higher in the aboral pouch group.

CONCLUSION

The site of the reservoir does not significantly influence the outcome after total gastrectomy and reconstruction with a preserved duodenal passage.

Postprandial hyperglycemia after a gastrectomy and the prediabetic state: a comparison between a distal and total gastrectomy

PURPOSE

Postprandial hyperglycemia is recognized as an important risk factor for developing type 2 diabetes; it is also common in patients after a gastrectomy and is likely to become exacerbated after a total gastrectomy rather than after a distal gastrectomy. In this study, we investigated the glucose and insulin responses after oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT), and compared the incidence of postchallenge hyperglycemia after OGTT in patients after a distal and total gastrectomy.

METHODS

Forty-six patients, including 18 patients after a distal gastrectomy and 28 after a total gastrectomy, underwent a 75-g OGTT, and the plasma concentrations of glucose and insulin were measured after OGTT.

RESULTS

Glucose peaked at 30 min in the distal gastrectomy patients and 60 min in the total gastrectomy patients, and there were significant differences in the 1-h plasma glucose (PG) and 1.5-h PG levels between the distal and total gastrectomy patients. Insulin peaked at 60 min in both the distal and total gastrectomy patients, and there were significant differences in insulin levels at 60 min between the distal and total gastrectomy patients. The incidence of postchallenge hyperglycemia in the patients after a total gastrectomy (57.1%) was higher than in those after distal gastrectomy (27.8%). Moreover, significant positive correlations were found between 1-h PG and hemoglobin antigen HbA1c after a total gastrectomy but not after a distal gastrectomy.

CONCLUSIONS

These results suggest that postchallenge hyperglycemia after OGTT may become more exacerbated after a total gastrectomy than after a distal gastrectomy. Postprandial hyperglycemia, especially after a total gastrectomy, may therefore be involved in the development of diabetes.

[Searching for the optimal reconstructive methods following total gastrectomy]

Three prospective randomised studies and a clinical experiment were performed to study postoperative weight, body mass index, nutritional and immunological laboratory parameters, gut motility, lipid and carbohydrate absorption, quality of life and gastrointestinal hormone production after total gastrectomy with different reconstructions. The first trial compared Roux-en-Y to a newly introduced aboral pouch construction, while the second study compared these two methods and the aboral pouch reconstruction with a preserved duodenal passage version. Improved lipid absorption and quality of life was detected for the aboral pouch reconstruction. In addition to these, the duodenal passage preserving version resulted in a better iron metabolism, too. The third study compared the aboral pouch to conventional oral pouch, both with duodenal passage preserving versions. No significant difference was detected between these two groups. In the fourth study, a clinical experiment was performed examining pre- and postprandial glucose, insulin, cholecystokinin and somatostatin levels in patients recruited from the first two randomised trials. Significant differences were demonstrated between the various reconstruction types: the duodenal passage preserving reconstruction provided close to physiological cholecystokinin and somatostatin productions, while with duodenal exclusion these levels were abnormally raised.

Clinical results of various reconstructions employed after total gastrectomy

Methods of restoring continuity after total gastrectomy, particularly those creating a "reservoir," have led to many publications over the last 20 years. These publications are herein reviewed in an attempt to answer questions regarding the clinical value of a jejunal "reservoir". The conclusion we reached from this review was that such a reconstruction does reduce unpleasant symptoms, aids weight maintenance, and is a valuable operative approach.

Gastrointestinal motility after digestive surgery

Gastrointestinal (GI) motility dysfunction is a common complication of any abdominal surgical procedure. During fasting, the upper GI tract undergoes a cyclic change in motor activity, called the interdigestive migrating motor contraction (IMC). The IMC is divided into four phases, with phase III having the most characteristic activity. After digestive surgery, GI motility dysfunction shows a lack of a fed response, less phase II activity, more frequent phase III activity of the IMC, and some phase III activity migrating orally. Postoperative symptoms have been related to motor disturbances, such as interrupted or retrograde phase III or low postprandial activity. The causes of GI disorder are autonomic nervous dysfunction and GI hormone disruptions. The administration of a motilin agonist can induce earlier phase III contractions in the stomach after pancreatoduodenectomy. For nervous dysfunction, an inhibitory sympathetic reflux is likely to be important in postoperative motility disorders. Until recently, treatment for gut dysmotility has consisted of nasogastric suction, intravenous fluids, and observation; however, more effective treatment methods are being reported. Recent discoveries have the potential to decrease postoperative gut dysmotility remarkably after surgery.

Beneficial effects of jejunal continuity and duodenal food passage after total gastrectomy: a retrospective study of 704 patients

AIM

To evaluate effects of reconstruction procedures on post-operative outcomes and nutritional status after total gastrectomy.

METHODS

The study group comprised 704 consecutive patients with gastric cancer who underwent total gastrectomy between December 1985 and December 2003. Six alimentary reconstruction procedures were performed, including jejunal continuity [Braun, modified Braun I and II and functional jejunal interposition (FJI)] and jejunum transection ["P" Roux-en-Y and "P" jejunal interposition (PJI)]. The duodenal food passage was maintained only by FJI and PJI. We evaluated the time interval to restore food intake after surgery and the incidence of complications and nutritional status for 12 months.

RESULTS

Patients who received jejunum transection required 7.8+/-2.5 days and 11.9+/-4.9 days to restore liquid and semi-liquid food intake, respectively, which reduced to 3.9+/-2.1 days for liquid and 7.9+/-3.9 days for semi-liquid food intake by jejunum continuity. The incidence rates of reflux esophagitis and Roux-en-Y syndrome in patients receiving jejunum transection were 23.5% and 42.4%, respectively, which were decreased to 9.35% and 14.7%, respectively, by jejunal continuity. Furthermore, prognostic nutrition index score of patients receiving the procedures maintaining duodenal food passage (52.9+/-10.9) was higher than that of patients without the duodenal food passage (46.7+/-8.2).

CONCLUSION

Jejunal continuity and duodenal food passage showed beneficial effects on clinical outcomes after surgery. Among these six procedures, FJI was the only procedure to combine the benefits of jejunal continuity and maintaining the duodenal food passage, indicating that FJI has potential clinical application to improve the quality of patient's life after total gastrectomy.

Motility of the pouch correlates with quality of life after total gastrectomy

BACKGROUND

Jejunal pouch reconstruction is used to provide reservoir function after total gastrectomy, but controversy remains regarding pouch functions and quality of life (QOL). In this study, pouch motility was studied in conjunction with postoperative QOL.

METHODS

Pouch motility of 23 patients with jejunal pouch interposition after total gastrectomy was examined by manometry under fasting conditions and by an emptying test using dual-scintigraphy under postprandial conditions. Residual food was graded by endoscopic examinations. QOL was evaluated using the Gastrointestinal Quality of Life Index, and a stasis- or dumping-related symptom score.

RESULTS

The pouch showed interdigestive contractile activity. Bursts of contractile activity occurred frequently and were long-lasting compared with the migrating motor complex phase III of the control jejunum. The percentage of time of contractile bursts correlated with postprandial pouch emptying (liquid: R(2) = 0.229, P < .03; solid: R(2) = 0.243, P < .02). Patients with little or no residual food had more percentage of time of contractile bursts than those with moderate residual food (P < .01). The percentage of time of contractile bursts was correlated with the Gastrointestinal Quality of Life Index score (R(2) = 0.262, P < .02), stasis-related symptoms (R(2) = 0.279, P < .01), and dumping-related symptoms (R(2) = 0.218, P < .03).

CONCLUSIONS

An interposed jejunum pouch showed bursts of contractile activity that affected postoperative gastrointestinal function and patient QOL.

Dai-kenchu-to, a Chinese herbal medicine, improves stasis of patients with total gastrectomy and jejunal pouch interposition

BACKGROUND

Intestinal motility after gastric surgery frequently is disturbed and results in postoperative intestinal symptoms and poor quality of life (QOL). The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of Dai-kenchu-to on intestinal motility and postoperative QOL of patients.

METHODS

Seventeen patients who underwent total gastrectomy with jejunal pouch interposition for gastric cancer in the Department of Surgery of Osaka University Medical Hospital were enrolled. The patients were assigned randomly to the cross-over study with or without 15 g/d of Dai-kenchu-to. Questionnaires and emptying tests using (111)In-labeled liquid and (99m)Tc-labeled solid test meal were performed at the end of each treatment period. A manometric study was performed in 6 patients to measure contractile activity with or without Dai-kenchu-to.

RESULTS

Stasis-related symptoms were reduced significantly by Dai-kenchu-to (P = .032). In the emptying test, Dai-kenchu-to accelerated emptying of both liquid (P < .01) and solid (P = .015) meals from the pouch. The pouch showed bursts of contractions, which were increased significantly by oral intake of Dai-kenchu-to (P = .028).

CONCLUSIONS

Dai-kenchu-to increased intestinal motility and decreased postoperative symptoms of patients with total gastrectomy with jejunal pouch interposition.

Small intestinal motility

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

To review recently published studies presenting novel and relevant information on small intestinal motility in humans and animals.

RECENT FINDINGS

The reviewed studies covered a variety of topics with several themes emerging. The relation between bacterial overgrowth and altered intestinal motility gathers support in a variety of conditions including portal hypertension and senescence. The mechanisms of postoperative ileus are becoming better understood. Cannabinoids play an important role in ileus and this further highlights the importance of these compounds in intestinal motility. Luminal impedance appears to be an important tool for investigation of intestinal flow.

SUMMARY

Small intestinal motility remains an understudied area. Recent publications have shed additional light on myogenic, neural, and hormonal control mechanisms. Novel investigative techniques will likely further improve our understanding.