Uncut Esophagojejunostomy with Double Jejunal Pouch: An Alternative Reconstruction Method that Improves the Quality of Life of Patients after Total Gastrectomy

Clinical comparison of total gastrectomy with single-vessel transection Roux-en-Y reconstruction vs total gastrectomy with conventional Roux-en-Y reconstruction for proximal gastric cancer

PURPOSE

This study aimed to investigate the clinical benefits of single-vessel transection Roux-en-Y (SR-Y) reconstruction after total gastrectomy.

METHODS

A total of 194 patients with proximal gastric cancer were prospectively recruited at Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center between January 2021 and September 2022. This study included 97 patients who underwent conventional Roux-en-Y reconstruction and 97 patients who underwent SR-Y reconstruction. Clinicopathologic characteristics, surgical outcomes, and postoperative complications were compared between the conventional and single-vessel transection groups.

RESULTS

There were no significant differences in baseline characteristics between the 2 groups in terms of age (P = .882), gender (P = .595), body mass index (P = .683), tumor location (P = .568), TNM stage (P = .122), tumor size (P = .927), anemia (P = .756), neoadjuvant chemotherapy (P = .730), and surgical approach (P = .592). However, compared with the conventional group, the single-vessel transection group had a shorter operation time (162.5 ± 37.6 vs 178.5 ± 48.3 min, respectively; P = .011) and less intraoperative bleeding (167.2 ± 91.8 vs 207.8 ± 167.5 mL, respectively; P = .037) after complete reservation of the terminal jejunal vascular arches. Nevertheless, there were no significant differences in tensions in the jejunal mesentery, durations of peritoneal drainage, postoperative hospital stay durations, the number of lymph node dissections, and early complications between the 2 groups.

CONCLUSION

SR-Y reconstruction can simplify surgical procedures, reduce operating time, and minimize intraoperative bleeding without increasing tensions in the jejunal mesentery or short-term complications. It is feasible and safe and worth further promotion in clinical practice.

Uncut interposed jejunum pouch versus esophago-gastrostomy and double anastomoses of jejunum to the esophagus and residual stomach: An innovative method of digestive tract reconstruction following proximal gastrectomy

AIM

An innovative method of digestive tract reconstruction following proximal gastrectomy, the uncut interposed jejunum pouch, esophagus and residual stomach double anastomosis(Uncut-D), was established in recent years. In order to fully clarify the superiority of the procedure, this study has conducted a systematic analysis and thorough discussion.

METHODS

118 patients with adenocarcinoma of the esophagogastric junction who underwent proximal gastrectomy were enrolled in this study. According to the methods of digestive tract reconstruction, these patients were divided into three groups: Uncut-D(n = 43), esophagogastrostomy (EG, n = 36), jejunal interposition (JI, n = 39).The preoperative indicators, surgical complications and related indicators of postoperative quality of life were analyzed.

RESULTS

There were no significant differences in preoperative data among all groups (P > 0.05); The digestive tract reconstruction time in Uncut-D group was more than that in EG group, and less than that in JI group (P < 0.05). The incidence of esophageal anastomotic stenosis in Uncut-D group was significantly lower than that in EG group (P < 0.05); In Uncut-D group, the incidence of reflux esophagitis, postoperative nutrition index(PNI), weight recovery and Visick classification were significantly better than those in EG group (P < 0.05), furthermore, the incidence of delayed gastric emptying,PNI and weight recovery were better than those in JI group (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

The Uncut-D procedure gave full play to jejunal continuity and the advantages of pouch, and played a valuable role in gastric and cardiac replacement, which significantly reduced long-term complications, improved postoperative nutritional status of patients and long-term quality of life.

Addition of Jejunal Lateral Anastomosis is Not Necessary for Gastric-Jejunum Pouch Anastomosis following Distal Gastrectomy: A Propensity-Score Matching Analysis

PURPOSE

To make a propensity-score matching analysis on the clinical application of gastric-jejunum pouch anastomosis (GJPA) and continuous jejunal pouch and residual stomach anastomosis combined with jejunal lateral anastomosis (Contin-L).

METHODS

The clinic data of 287 patients who received distal gastrectomy from January 2015 to January 2019 were collected retrospectively. The enrolled patients were divided into the GJPA group and the Contin-L group according to the reconstruction method used. Clinical data and operation complications were analyzed.

RESULTS

Compared with Contin-L group, the duration of digestive tract reconstruction in the GJPA group was shorter, and the overall cost in the GJPA group was lower. No obvious intergroup differences were found in other intraoperative data, early surgical outcomes, incidence rates of reflux gastritis, anastomotic ulcer, postoperative nutritional and hematological indicators. The postoperative subjective feelings in the GJPA group were similar with those in the Contin-L groups.

CONCLUSION

Addition of jejunal lateral anastomosis is not necessary for GJPA following distal gastrectomy.

Continuous Jejunal Pouch and Residual Stomach Anastomosis Combined with Jejunal Lateral Anastomosis: An Improved Method of Gastrointestinal Reconstruction following Distal Gastrectomy

AIM

Currently, there is no optimal digestive tract reconstruction technique well recognized by scholars after distal gastrectomy. A new reconstruction method, which was modified from the classic Roux-en-Y procedure, the continuous jejunal pouch and residual stomach anastomosis combined with jejunal lateral anastomosis (Contin-L), was established. In order to fully clarify the superiority of this procedure, this study has conducted a systematic analysis and prepared a summary of the clinical data of patients who underwent distal gastrectomy for gastric cancer.

METHODS

From June 2013 to March 2016, we enrolled 198 patients with gastric cancer who underwent radical D2 distal gastrectomy. According to the reconstruction methods, these patients were divided into three groups: Contin-L (n = 74), Billroth II (n = 59), and Roux-en-Y (n = 65) groups. The operation time for reconstruction, complications, prognostic nutritional index (PNI), and the Visick grading were analyzed.

RESULTS

Regarding long-term complications, such as reflux gastritis, the Contin-L procedure showed significantly better results than Billroth II (p < 0.0001). Regarding the long-term postoperative nutritional status, such as the PNI and body weight recovery, the Contin-L procedure displayed significantly better results than Billroth II and Roux-en-Y (p < 0.05). Postoperative subjective feelings evaluated by Visick grading were significantly more improved in the Contin-L than in the Billroth II and Roux-en-Y groups (p ≤ 0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

The Contin-L procedure gave full play to the advantages of jejunal continuity, and pouch and lateral anastomoses, which significantly reduced short- and long-term complications, and improved the long-term patient quality of life following the surgical procedure.

Functional jejunal interposition versus Roux-en-Y anastomosis after total gastrectomy for gastric cancer: A prospective randomized clinical trial

BACKGROUND

Nutritional status and quality of life deteriorate significantly after total gastrectomy for patients with gastric cancer. The numerous types of reconstruction proposed by medical researchers around the world have limited effect. This prospective, randomized clinical trial compared functional jejunal interposition with Roux-en-Y anastomosis to identify the optimal reconstruction procedure.

METHODS

This was a multi-center, prospective, randomized control trial. The enrolled patients were randomly assigned into the functional jejunal interposition group and the Roux-en-Y group. All patients were followed up at regular intervals after surgery. The endpoints were postoperative nutritional status, quality of life, and long-term postoperative complications.

RESULTS

A total of 113 patients were enrolled from August 2012 to September 2017. Until March 2018, the median follow-up period was 18 months. At 12 months after surgery, food intake per meal (P = 0.021), Prognosis Nutritional Index (P = 0.015), weight loss (P = 0.019), and Gastrointestinal Symptom Rating Scale score (P = 0.015) of the functional jejunal interposition group were significantly worse than those of the Roux-en-Y group. There was no significant difference in operative time, intraoperative blood loss, perioperative complications, time of first flatus and defecation after surgery, postoperative plasma nutritional parameters, Visick score, Eastern Cooperative Group physical condition score, and survival rate.

CONCLUSION

For patients with long-term survival after total gastrectomy for gastric cancer, the Roux-en-Y anastomosis is a better choice compared with functional jejunal interposition.