A modified technique for esophagojejunostomy or esophagogastrostomy after laparoscopic gastrectomy. Surg Laparosc Endosc Percutan Tech. 2013;23:e109-e115. [PMID: 23752017 DOI: 10.1097/sle.0b013e31828e3939]

Intraoperative assessment of anastomotic blood supply using indocyanine green fluorescence imaging following esophagojejunostomy or esophagogastrostomy for gastric cancer

Objective

This retrospective study aimed to evaluate the feasibility and safety of intraoperative assessment of anastomotic blood supply in patients undergoing esophagojejunostomy or esophagogastrostomy for gastric cancer using Indocyanine Green Fluorescence Imaging (IGFI).

Materials and methods

From January 2019 to October 2021, we conducted a retrospective analysis of patients who had undergone laparoscopic gastrectomy for the treatment of gastric cancer. The patients were consecutively enrolled and categorized into two study groups: the Indocyanine Green Fluorescence Imaging (IGFI) group consisting of 86 patients, and the control group comprising 92 patients. In the IGFI group, intravenous administration of Indocyanine Green (ICG) was performed, and we utilized a fluorescence camera system to assess anastomotic blood supply both before and after the anastomosis.

Results

The demographic characteristics of patients in both groups were found to be comparable. In the IGFI group, the mean time to observe perfusion fluorescence was 26.3 ± 12.0 seconds post-ICG injection, and six patients needed to select a more proximal resection point due to insufficient fluorescence at their initial site of choice. Notably, the IGFI group exhibited a lower incidence of postoperative anastomotic leakage, with no significant disparities observed in terms of pathological outcomes, postoperative recovery, or other postoperative complication rates when compared to the control group (p > 0.05).

Conclusion

This study underscores the potential of IGFI as a dependable and pragmatic tool for the assessment of anastomotic blood supply following esophagojejunostomy or esophagogastrostomy for gastric cancer. The use of IGFI may potentially reduce the occurrence of postoperative anastomotic leakage.

Double stapling technique versus hemi-double stapling technique for esophagojejunostomy with OrVil™ after laparoscopic total gastrectomy: a single-blind, randomized clinical trial

BACKGROUND

The transorally inserted anvil (OrVil™) is frequently selected for esophagojejunostomy after laparoscopic total gastrectomy (LTG) because of its versatility. During anastomosis with OrVil™, the double stapling technique (DST) or hemi-double stapling technique (HDST) can be selected by overlapping the linear stapler and the circular stapler. However, no studies have reported the differences between the methods and their clinical significance.

METHODS

A randomized controlled clinical trial with a parallel assignment and single-blind outcomes assessment analysis was conducted. Patients with gastric cancer eligible for LTG who met the selection criteria were randomized. Preoperative characteristics and perioperative and postoperative outcomes were compared between the DST and HDST. The primary endpoint was an anastomosis-related complication, and the secondary endpoints were perioperative outcomes and postoperative complications, excluding anastomosis-related complications.

RESULTS

Thirty patients with gastric cancer were eligible and randomized. LTG and esophagojejunostomy were successfully performed in all patients, without conversion to laparotomy. Preoperative characteristics, excluding preoperative chemotherapy, were not significantly different between the two groups. One anastomotic leakage of Clavien-Dindo classification grade ≥ IIIa was observed in the DST, although no significant difference was found between the two groups (6.6% vs. 0%, P = 0.30). In the HDST, one case of anastomotic stricture required endoscopic balloon dilation. No significant differences were found in operative time, whereas the anastomosis time was significantly shorter in the HDST than in the DST (47.5 ± 15.8 vs. 38.2 ± 8.8 min, P = 0.028). Except for anastomosis-related complications, postoperative complications (P = 0.282) and postoperative hospital stay for the DST and HDST were not significantly different.

CONCLUSIONS

No superiority was found between the DST and HDST with OrVil™ in esophagojejunostomy of LTG for gastric cancer with respect to postoperative complications, whereas the HDST may be preferable in terms of the simplicity of the surgical technique.

The safety of esophagojejunostomy via a transorally inserted-anvil method vs extracorporeal anastomosis using a circular stapler during total gastrectomy for Siewert type 2 adenocarcinoma of the esophagogastric junction

Background

Intracorporeal esophagojejunostomy via a transorally inserted-anvil method during laparoscopic total gastrectomy (LTG) for upper gastric cancer has been demonstrated to be feasible, but the use of this assessment exclusively for Siewert type 2 adenocarcinoma of the esophagogastric junction (AEG) has not been reported.

Methods

A total of 428 consecutive gastric-cancer patients who underwent LTG in Nanfang Hospital from January 2008 to December 2016 were reviewed. Among these patients, 98 were classified as Siewert type 2 AEG. The patients underwent intracorporeal esophagojejunostomy through either a transorally inserted-anvil method (n = 27) or extracorporeal anastomosis usinga circular stapler (n = 71). After generating propensity scores with covariates that were associated with developing anastomotic leakage, 26 patients who underwent esophagojejunostomy via the transorally inserted-anvil method (transoral group) were 1:1 matched with 26 patients who underwent the procedure via extracorporeal anastomosis using a circular stapler (extracorporeal group). The safety after 30 days post-operatively was compared between the two groups.

Results

The transoral group and extracorporeal group were balanced regarding the baseline variables. The operative time, reconstruction duration, number of dissected lymph nodes, length of the proximal resection margins, estimated blood loss, intra-operative complication rate, and post-operative recovery course were not significantly different between the two groups. The mean anvil-insertion completion time (9.7 ± 3.0 vs 13.4 ± 2.0 minutes, P < 0.001) and the median incision length (5.5 vs 7.0 cm, P < 0.001) in the transoral group were shorter than those in the extracorporeal group. The incidence of post-operative complications (26.9% vs 23.1%, P = 0.749) and the classification of complication severity (P = 0.939) were similar between the two groups.

Conclusions

Intracorporeal esophagojejunostomy through a transorally inserted-anvil method may be a potentially safe approach to simplify and optimize the procedure during LTG for Siewert type 2 AEG.

Intracorporeal Circular Stapled Esophagojejunostomy Using Conventional Purse-String Suture Instrument After Laparoscopic Total Gastrectomy

BACKGROUND

An optimal alimentary tract reconstruction technique after laparoscopic total gastrectomy (LTG) remains controversial. The authors developed a new simple technique for intracorporeal esophagojejunal anastomosis that employs a conventional purse-string suture instrument (PSI) and circular stapler.

METHODS

From May 2014 to April 2016, 41 consecutive patients with gastric cancer underwent LTG in the author's institution. Intracorporeal esophagojejunal anastomosis using the following method was attempted for all patients. After total gastrectomy was completed laparoscopically, a small vertical incision (about 40 mm) was created at the left midclavicular line and retracted by a wound retractor. An anvil of a 25 mm circular stapler was introduced into the abdominal cavity. Then a previously prepared surgical glove, which was cut open at the thumb and the little finger through which the two hand shafts of the PSI were passed separately and sealed by ties, was attached to the wound retractor to maintain airtightness, and the PSI was introduced into the abdominal cavity. The following procedure was similar to conventional open surgery except that it was performed under laparoscopic vision.

RESULTS

Intracorporeal esophagojejunal anastomosis was performed successfully for all 41 patients. No case required extension of the initial incision for difficulties during anastomosis. The mean operation time was 245 minutes, and the mean time for the purse-string suture and anvil placement was 15 minutes. Tumor-free margins were achieved in all 41 patients. There were no anastomosis-related complications or other major surgical complications.

CONCLUSIONS

With the described method, intracorporeal esophagojejunal anastomosis can be performed easily and safely.

Comparison of OrVil™ and RPD in laparoscopic total gastrectomy for gastric cancer

BACKGROUND

Laparoscopic total gastrectomy (LTG) is frequently performed for treating patients with gastric cancer; however, the absence of anastomotic techniques with greater superiority has impaired its popularization. We have compared two types of anastomotic techniques with regard to technical perspectives and clinical outcomes.

METHODS

We reviewed 43 patients with gastric cancer who underwent LTG. Two types of anastomotic techniques have been applied after LTG-the trans-orally inserted anvil (OrVil™) and the reverse puncture device (RPD). Data on the type of anastomosis, blood loss, operation time, anastomosis time, location of tumors, distance between the top border of tumors and top resection margin, diameter of tumor, length of postoperative hospital stay, early and late postoperative complications, and total cost of surgical consumables were obtained by reviewing patient medical records and analyzed thereafter.

RESULTS

We included 32 men and 11 women (mean age 61 years). The loss to follow-up rate was 13.2%. The median survival time for the OrVil™ and RPD groups was 23 and 22 months, respectively. The total rate of complications was 9.3%. The difference in the anastomosis times between the groups was statistically significant. OrVil™ required more time than RPD and cost more than RPD.

CONCLUSIONS

Both the OrVil™ and RPD techniques showed good safety and applicability in LTG. RPD showed an advantage with regard to lesser operative complexity and lower cost.

Review of Pure Endoscopic Full-Thickness Resection of the Upper Gastrointestinal Tract

Natural-orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery (NOTES) using flexible endoscopy has attracted attention as a minimally invasive surgical method that does not cause an operative wound on the body surface. However, minimizing the number of devices involved in endoscopic, compared to laparoscopic, surgeries has remained a challenge, causing endoscopic surgeries to gradually be phased out of use. If a flexible endoscopic full-thickness suturing device and a counter-traction device were developed to expand the surgical field for gastrointestinal-tract collapse, then endoscopic full-thickness resection using NOTES, which is seen as an extension of endoscopic submucosal dissection for full-thickness excision of tumors involving the gastrointestinal-tract wall, might become an extremely minimally invasive surgical method that could be used to resect only full-thickness lesions approached by the shortest distance via the mouth. It is expected that gastroenterological endoscopists will use this surgery if device development is advanced. This extremely minimally invasive surgery would have an immeasurable impact with regard to mitigating the burden on patients and reducing healthcare costs. Development of a new surgical method using a multipurpose flexible endoscope is therefore considered a socially urgent issue.

Technique of Roux-en-Y reconstruction using overlap method after laparoscopic total gastrectomy for gastric cancer: 100 consecutively successful cases

BACKGROUND

We have established a standard procedure for Roux-en-Y (RY) reconstruction in laparoscopic total gastrectomy (LTG) using esophagojejunostomy by the overlap method (OL). We report on our RY reconstruction technique and special approaches, and evaluate the usefulness of our reconstruction method based on the surgical results of 100 patients we have experienced to date.

METHODS

We performed LTG in 100 patients with gastric cancer. After total gastrectomy using five ports, the resected stomach was extracted through a small laparotomy. Through that, we performed sacrifice of the jejunum, Y limb anastomosis, creation of the lifted jejunum. As the OL, a side-to-side anastomosis of the lifted jejunum to the esophageal stump was laparoscopically performed using a linear stapler in an isoperistaltic direction, and the entry hole was closed with full-thickness suturing. The lifted jejunum was fixed with suture to the duodenal stump at a location where the esophagojejunostomy site was made linear, and the duodenal stump was buried. The mesenteric gap was laparoscopically closed with suture.

RESULTS

The median operative time in 100 patients undergoing LTG was 385 min, the median blood loss was 65 mL, and the median time required for the OL was 32 min. The mean hospitalization period was 10 days, and postoperative complications included bleeding requiring reoperation in one patient; other complications such as pancreatic fistula in five patients (5 %) were treated conservatively. No complication associated with anastomosis occurred.

CONCLUSION

In RY reconstruction using the OL, there were no complications associated with the anastomosis site in 100 consecutive patients, such as anastomotic leak or stenosis, indicating that it is a very useful and safe reconstruction method.

Short-term outcomes of intracorporeal esophagojejunostomy using the transorally inserted anvil versus extracorporeal circular anastomosis during laparoscopic total gastrectomy for gastric cancer: a propensity score matching analysis

BACKGROUND

To assess the short-term outcomes of intracorporeal Roux-en-Y esophagojejunostomy using the transorally inserted anvil (OrVil) compared with extracorporeal circular Roux-en-Y anastomosis during laparoscopic total gastrectomy (LTG) for gastric cancer.

METHODS

From January 2011-April 2014, a total of 165 consecutive patients with gastric cancer underwent either intracorporeal Roux-en-Y esophagojejunostomy (n = 25) using the Orvil or extracorporeal circular anastomosis (n = 140) during LTG. After generating propensity scores with six covariates, including gender, age, body mass index (BMI), Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status, tumor location, and tumor size, 25 patients undergoing the OrVil method (intracorporeal group) were one-to-one matched with 25 patients undergoing the extracorporeal method (extracorporeal group). The short-term outcomes were compared between the two groups.

RESULTS

Both groups were balanced regarding baseline variables. The total operative time was not significantly different between the two groups (216.5 ± 24.9 min versus 224.0 ± 30.5 min, P = 0.344), whereas either the duration of anvil insertion (9.9 ± 2.4 min versus 12.9 ± 2.0 min, P < 0.001) or reconstruction completion (44.4 ± 9.4 min versus 50.1 ± 5.4 min, P = 0.012) in the intracorporeal group was less. The mean length of minilaparotomy in the intracorporeal group was shorter (5.6 ± 0.4 cm versus 7.2 ± 1.7 cm, P < 0.001). No significant differences were observed in intraoperative complication rate, estimated blood loss, length of proximal margin, or postoperative recovery course (including the time to first flatus, liquid resumption, liquid, and soft diet) between the two groups. No patients suffered from anastomosis-related complications. The overall morbidity rates of 28.0% in the intracorporeal group and 32.0% in the extracorporeal group were comparable (P = 0.758).

CONCLUSIONS

Intracorporeal Roux-en-Y esophagojejunostomy using the transorally inserted anvil system may be a safe procedure during LTG for gastric cancer. However, a longer follow-up in a well-designed randomized controlled trial is necessary to more thoroughly evaluate this technique.

Esophagojejunostomy after laparoscopic total gastrectomy by OrVilTM or hemi-double stapling technique

AIM: To investigate the feasibility, advantages and disadvantages of two types of anvil insertion techniques for esophagojejunostomy after laparoscopic total gastrectomy.

METHODS: This was an open-label prospective cohort study. Laparoscopy-assisted radical total gastrectomy with D2 lymph node dissection was performed in 84 patients with primary non-metastatic gastric cancer confirmed by pre-operative histological examination. Overweight patients were excluded, as well as patients with peritoneal dissemination and invasion of adjacent organs. After total gastrectomy, all patients were randomized into two groups. Patients in Group I underwent esophagojejunostomy using a transorally-inserted anvil (OrVil^TM), while patients in Group II underwent esophagojejunostomy using the hemi-double stapling technique (HDST). Both types of esophagojejunostomy were performed under laparoscopy. Patients’ baseline characteristics, preoperative characteristics, perioperative characteristics, short-term postoperative outcomes and operation cost were compared between the two groups. The primary endpoint was evaluation of the surgical outcome (operating time, time of digestive tract reconstruction and time of anvil insertion) and the medical cost of each operation (operation cost and total cost of hospitalization). The secondary endpoints were time to solid diet, post-surgical hospitalization time, time to defecation, time to ambulation and intra-operative blood loss. In addition, complications were assessed and compared.

RESULTS: Laparoscopic total gastrectomy and esophagojejunostomy were successfully performed in all 84 patients, without conversion to laparotomy. There were no significant differences in the operative time and time for total gastrectomy between the two groups (287.8 ± 38.4 min vs 271.8 ± 46.1 min, P = 0.09, and 147.7 ± 31.6 min vs 159.8 ± 33.8 min, P = 0.09, respectively). The time for digestive tract reconstruction and for anvil insertion were significantly decreased in Group II compared with Group I (47.8 ± 12.1 min vs 55.4 ± 15.7 min, P = 0.01, and 12.6 ± 4.7 min vs 18.7 ± 7.5 min, P = 0.001, respectively). Intra-operative blood loss (96.4 ± 32.7 mL vs 88.2 ± 36.9 mL, P = 0.28), time to defecation (3.5 ± 0.9 d vs 3.2 ± 1.1 d, P = 0.12), time to ambulation (3.9 ± 0.7 d vs 3.6 ± 1.1 d, P = 0.12), time to solid diet (7.6 ± 1.4 d vs 8.0 ± 2.7 d, P = 0.31) and total hospitalization (10.6 ± 2.6 d vs 10.8 ± 3.5 d, P = 0.80) were similar between the two groups. In addition, the total costs of hospitalization were similar between the two groups (73848.7 ± 11781.0 RMB vs 70870.3 ± 14003.5 RMB, P = 0.296), but operation cost was significantly higher in Group I compared with Group II (32401.9 ± 1981.6 RMB vs 26961.9 ± 2293.8 RMB, P < 0.001).

CONCLUSION: Anvil insertion was faster and easier using the HDST technique compared with OrVil^TM, and was more cost-effective. There was no significant difference in safety.

An automatically contamination-avoiding technique for intracorporeal esophagojejunostomy using a transorally inserted anvil during laparoscopic total gastrectomy for gastric cancer

Background

Intracorporeal Roux-en-Y esophagojejunostomy during laparoscopic total gastrectomy for gastric cancer remains a challenging manipulation due to the uncontrolled direction of the jejunal side or unintended embedded tissues, although several methods have been introduced. In this study, we simplified the procedure based on a surgical string fixing technique using a transorally inserted anvil (OrVil™; Covidien Ltd., Mansfield, MA, USA).

Methods

From March 2012 to September 2013, 14 consecutive patients underwent simplified intracorporeal Roux-en-Y esophagojejunostomy using OrVil™ during laparoscopic total gastrectomy for gastric cancer at our hospital. Clinicopathologic characteristics and surgical outcomes of these patients were retrospectively analyzed.

Results

All of the procedures were successful completed with no complication or conversion to open surgery. The mean overall operative time was 193.8 ± 41.8 min, whereas the mean reconstruction time was 32.6 ± 4.6 min. The mean estimated blood loss was 105.7 ± 65.4 ml. The mean diameter of anastomosis measured by upper gastrointestinal contrast X-ray test at 1 month after operation was 2.3 cm. During a median follow-up period of 12 months, neither local recurrence nor anastomosis-related morbidity was observed.

Conclusions

Our preliminary results suggested that this automatically contamination-avoiding technique based on a surgical-string-fixing strategy using OrVil™ during laparoscopic total gastrectomy for gastric cancer might be feasible and safe and provide a simple solution for intracorporeal Roux-en-Y esophagojejunostomy.

Comparison of the major postoperative complications between laparoscopic distal and total gastrectomies for gastric cancer using Clavien-Dindo classification

BACKGROUND

Laparoscopy-assisted total gastrectomy (LATG) has not been as popular as laparoscopy-assisted distal gastrectomy (LADG) because of its undetermined safety and postoperative complications compared with LADG. Therefore, LATG requires further study.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A total of 663 patients who underwent LADG or LATG for gastric cancer in a single institution from April 2004 to April 2014 were included. The clinicopathologic characteristics and risk factors related to major complications (Clavien-Dindo grade ≥ IIIa) were analyzed between the LADG (n = 569) and LATG groups (n = 94).

RESULTS

The incidence of major postoperative complications was significantly higher for LATG (LADG vs. LATG: 8.1 vs. 18.1 %, P = 0.002). Although postoperative bleeding was not different between the groups (3.2 vs. 3.2 %, P = 0.991), the incidence of bowel leakage was significantly higher for LATG (2.6 vs. 6.8 %, P = 0.028). Leakage from the anastomosis site was more frequent following LATG (5.3 %) compared with LADG (0.5 %) (P < 0.001). Leakage from the duodenal stump tended to be more frequent, though not significant, for LADG (2.0 vs. 1.1 %, P = 0.602). Advanced gastric cancer, LATG, and longer operation time were significant factors that affected the incidence of postoperative complications in a univariate analysis. In multivariate analysis, there were no independent risk factors, but LATG was nearly a significant, independent risk factor (odds ratio 1.89; 95 % CI 0.965-3.71, P = 0.063).

CONCLUSION

More major complications were observed for LATG, particularly with esophagojejunostomy. These results show that LATG is more invasive than LADG in terms of the postoperative morbidity. More caution and experience are needed when performing LATG.

The overlap method is a safe and feasible for esophagojejunostomy after laparoscopic-assisted total gastrectomy

Background

Laparoscopic procedures are increasingly being applied to gastric cancer surgery, including total gastrectomy for tumors located in the upper gastric body. Even for expert surgeons, esophagojejunostomy after laparoscopy-assisted total gastrectomy (LATG) can be technically challenging. We perform the overlap method of esophagojejunostomy after LATG for gastric cancer. However, technical questions remain. Is the overlap method safer and more useful than other anastomosis techniques, such as methods using a circular stapler? In addition, while we perform this overlap reconstruction after LATG in a deep and narrow operative field, can the overlap method be performed safely regardless of body habitus? This study aimed to evaluate these issues retrospectively and to review the literature.

Methods

From October 2005 to August 2013, we performed LATG with lymph-node dissection and Roux-en-Y reconstruction using the overlap method in 77 patients with gastric cancer. This study examined pre-, intra- and postoperative data.

Results

Mean operation time, time to perform anastomosis, and estimated blood loss were 391.4 min, 36.3 min, and 146.9 ml, respectively. There were no deaths, and morbidity rate was 13%, including one patient (1%) who developed anastomotic stenosis. Mean postoperative hospitalization was 13.4 days. Surgical outcomes did not differ significantly by body mass index.

Conclusions

First, the overlap method for esophagojejunostomy after LATG is safe and useful. Second, this method can be performed irrespective of the body type of the patient. In particular, in a deep and narrow operative field, the overlap method is more versatile than other anastomosis methods. We believe that the overlap method can become a standard reconstruction technique for esophagojejunostomy after LATG.

Novel method for esophagojejunal anastomosis after laparoscopic total gastrectomy: Semi-end-to-end anastomosis

AIM: To test a new safe and simple technique for circular-stapled esophagojejunostomy in laparoscopic total gastrectomy (LATG).

METHODS: We selected 26 patients with gastric cancer who underwent LATG and Roux-en-Y gastrointestinal reconstruction with semi-end-to-end esophagojejunal anastomosis.

RESULTS: LATG with semi-end-to-end esophagojejunal anastomosis was successfully performed in all 26 patients. The average operation time was 257 ± 36 min, with an average anastomosis time of 51 ± 17 min and an average intraoperative blood loss of 88 ± 46 mL. The average postoperative hospital stay was 8 ± 3 d. There were no complications and no mortality in this series.

CONCLUSION: The application of semi-end-to-end esophagojejunal anastomosis after LATG is a safe and feasible procedure, which can be easily performed and has a short operation time in terms of anastomosis.

A safe anastomotic technique of using the transorally inserted anvil (OrVil) in Roux-en-Y reconstruction after laparoscopy-assisted total gastrectomy for proximal malignant tumors of the stomach

Background

To explore the safety and feasibility of the transorally inserted anvil (OrVil™) in laparoscopy-assisted total gastrectomy for gastric cancer.

Methods

From December 2010 to June 2011, a total of 28 patients underwent laparoscopy-assisted total gastrectomy with a Roux-en-Y-esophagojejunostomy anastomosis with OrVil™. Perioperative treatments, intraoperative data, postoperative complications and hospital length of stay were evaluated.

Results

There were no conversions to the open gastrectomy. The mean operation time was 143 minutes and the mean blood loss was 70 ml. Patients resumed an oral liquid diet on postoperative days 4 to 5. Two patients (7%) who suffered postoperative aspiration pneumonia were cured by conservative treatment. The median hospital length of stay was 9.6 days (8 to 11 days), with no inhospital mortalities. The median follow-up time was 14.8 months (12 to 18 months), and postoperative endoscopic examination revealed no anastomosis stenosis in patients who had dysphagia.

Conclusion

The use of the OrVil™ is technically feasible and relatively safe for Roux-en-Y reconstruction after laparoscopy-assisted total gastrectomy.