Evaluation of J-pouch reconstruction after total gastrectomy: rho-double tract vs. J-pouch double tract

A Comparative Study of Double-Tract Reconstruction and Roux-en-Y After Gastrectomy for Gastric Cancer

BACKGROUND

The meta-analysis was performed to compare surgical and functional results of double-tract (DT) and Roux-en-Y (RY) reconstruction, applied in both partial and total gastrectomy.

METHODS

PubMed, Ovid, Web of Science, Wiley, EBSCO, and the Cochrane Library Central were searched for studies comparing DT and RY after partial or total gastrectomy. Surgical, nutritional, and long-term outcomes were collected and analyzed.

RESULTS

A total of 595 patients from 8 studies were included. Operative time, time to first flatus, length of hospital stays, complications, postoperative nutritional variables, and functional result were similar between 2 groups. Group DT had significantly less blood loss, shorter time to oral intake and less loss of body weight at 2 years after operation.

CONCLUSIONS

DT reconstruction is comparable with RY after gastrectomy in safety, surgical outcomes including reflux symptom and postoperative recovery and shows better food intake and body weight maintenance.

Jejunal pouch reconstruction after total gastrectomy is associated with better short-term absorption capacity and quality of life in early-stage gastric cancer patients

Background

No consensus exists regarding the best reconstruction style after total gastrectomy (TG). Roux-en-Y oesophagojejunostomy is a simple option for gastrointestinal tract reconstruction. Recently, jejunal pouch reconstruction has been suggested as an appropriate approach. We compared the postoperative outcomes of the two surgical approaches using a well-characterized cohort of gastric carcinoma patients.

Methods

A total of 60 patients who underwent TG were divided into two groups according to the reconstruction style. Both groups were compared regarding patient characteristics, perioperative data and quality of life (QoL), which was assessed using the Spitzer QoL index (QLI) and Visick grade. The incidence of long-term surgery-related complications, including reflux oesophagitis, dumping syndrome, and retention syndrome, was also compared to evaluate postoperative restoration.

Results

Both study groups were comparable with respect to general patient characteristics. No mortality or no significant differences in surgery-related data were found except in the operation time. Compared to Orr Roux-en-Y reconstruction, pouch reconstruction was associated with a longer procedure time, a lower incidence of dumping/retention syndrome and better QoL parameters (p < 0.05).

Conclusion

In this study, jejunal pouch reconstruction after TG was superior to the traditional Roux-n-Y oesophagojejunostomy with respect to improved dietary intake and QoL.

Long-Term Consequences of Total Gastrectomy: Quality of Life, Nutritional Status, Bacterial Overgrowth and Adaptive Changes in Esophagojejunostomic Mucosa

OBJECTIVES

The aim of the study was to evaluate long-term quality of life and adaptive changes in the mucosa of the proximal section of the small intestine used for esophagojejunostomy reconstruction in stomach cancer patients after total gastrectomy.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Thirty-one patients who had undergone stomach cancer-related total gastrectomy were included in the study, which spanned a period of 48 to 127 months (79.6 months on the average) after the surgery. The analysis included: a) evaluation of selected biochemical parameters; b) microbiological evaluation of esophagojejunostomic area; c) evaluation of adaptive changes in esophagojejunostomic mucosa using light and electron microscopy; d) quality of life evaluation with a Troidl questionnaire.

RESULTS

Quality of life was subjectively rated as good or very good by almost all subjects. The analyzed biochemical parameters were within the range of normal values in all the subjects with the exception of mild abnormalities in alkaline phosphatase and vitamin B12 levels in some patients. Microbiological examination of mucosal specimens from below the esophagojejunostomy revealed significant bacterial flora overgrowth in all the patients, with streptococci being the most abundant species. Light and electron microscopy examination of the epithelium confirmed it was normal and characteristic of a healthy small intestine.

CONCLUSIONS

Long-term quality of life in patients after complete stomach resection is considered good or very good, irrespective of the reconstruction method used, and the esophagojejunostomic mucosa of the reconstructed area is normal and typical for a healthy small intestine.

Laparoscopic double-tract reconstruction after total gastrectomy for postoperative duodenal surveillance: Case series

Introduction

When gastric cancer or carcinoid patients have coexisting diseases such as duodenal adenoma, FAP, or Crohn's disease, periodic observation of the duodenum is necessary.

Methods

Between August 2013 and April 2015, we performed four consecutive laparoscopic total gastrectomies with double tract reconstruction for duodenal surveillance. Three of the patients were diagnosed with gastric cancer, while the remaining patient was diagnosed with gastric carcinoid.

Results

No deaths occurred, and three of the patients showed no early complications. One patient with Crohn's disease developed anastomotic leakage, but it was successfully managed conservatively. On endoscopy three to seven months later, we were able to observe the duodenum via jejunal anastomosis in all of the patients.

Discussion

Roux-en-Y reconstruction is one of the options after laparoscopic total gastrectomy. However, given that periodical endoscopic examinations of the duodenum are strongly recommended after surgery, double-tract reconstruction may be preferable in these patients.

Conclusion

Although more detailed data are required, double-tract reconstruction may be the best choice for patients requiring total gastrectomy with regular check-up of the duodenum.

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When gastric cancer patients have coexisting duodenal diseases, periodic observation of the duodenum is necessary.

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Given that postoperative endoscopic examinations of the duodenum are needed after total gastrectomy, double-tract reconstruction may be preferable.

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This is the first report of total gastrectomy with double-tract reconstruction in gastric cancer patients with FAP.

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Double-tract reconstruction following total gastrectomy may be technically feasible for duodenal surveillance.

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.

[Surgical treatment of gastric carcinoma]

The gastric cancer is the most common cancer in Korea. The only treatment modality showing improved survival for gastric cancer is curative surgical resection, which comprises the resection of stomach, proper lymphadenectomy, and reconstruction. However, specific surgical procedures should be decided according to the location of the cancer, advancement of the tumor, and patients condition. Surgical treatment for gastric cancer has been developed toward two directions that are minimal invasive surgery for early gastric cancer and multi-disciplinary approach for advanced gastric cancer. Laparoscopic surgery for early gastric cancer has been accepted for minimally invasive surgery. Moreover, the advancement of diagnostic tools to assess biological aggressiveness of the tumor enables physicians to perform endoscopic resection or minimized resection for early gastric cancer. Recently, surgeons try to extend the application of laparoscopic gastric resection and D2 lymphadenectomy to advanced gastric cancer. However, technical and oncological evidences based on clinical trials should be filed up before adopting it as a standard therapy. In case of advanced gastric cancer, in addition to radical surgery, various treatment modalities including chemotherapy, radiation, and molecular target therapy also have been applied in many clinical trials. However, it should be stressed that a prerequisite for precise evaluation of the efficacy of these combined treatment modalities would be the standardization of surgical procedure.

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.

Comparative study on three types of alimentary reconstruction after total gastrectomy

BACKGROUND

More than 70 alimentary reconstruction procedures after total gastrectomy have been proposed to reduce the postoperative syndromes such as dumping syndrome, reflux esophagitis, and malnutrition. However, the optimal alimentary reconstruction method is still a matter of debate. The aim of the current study was to investigate the rationality of different alimentary tract reconstruction methods after total gastrectomy for gastric malignancy.

METHODS

Three types of digestive reconstruction methods were performed after total gastrectomy in 285 cases of gastric malignancy from May 1996 to December 2006, including Orr-type Roux-en-Y reconstruction (Orr-type), P-type Roux-en-Y reconstruction (P-type), and Moynihan-type reconstruction (Moynihan-type) methods. The operative time, early postoperative complications and mortality, food intake, alimentary symptoms, Visick scores, nutritional status at 1 and 3years after surgery, and cumulative survival at 1, 3, and 5years were comparatively analyzed.

RESULTS

There were no significant differences among the three methods in early postoperative complications and mortality, postoperative food intake and nutritional status (hemoglobin, total proteins and albumin), and incidence of diarrhea and dumping syndrome at 1 and 3years (p > 0.05). The overall 1-, 3-, and 5-year cumulative survival rate were 75.30%, 39.86%, and 21.48%, respectively, without significant differences among the three groups (p > 0.05). However, the average operative time used in the Orr-type reconstruction method (2.9 +/- 0.1h) was comparatively shorter than that used in the P-type (3.4 +/- 0.2h) and the Moynihan-type (3.2 +/- 0.1h). The incidences of reflux esophagitis after the gastric reconstruction with the Moynihan-type method at 1 and 3years (72% and 65%) were significantly higher than that with the Orr-type (3% and 0%) and P-type (5% and 0%; p < 0.01). Constituent ratio of Visick scores I-II of the Moynihan-type method at 1 and 3years (54% and 73%) were smaller than that of the Orr-type (94% and 96%) and the P-type (93% and 96%) methods (p < 0.01).

CONCLUSION

Orr-type Roux-en-Y reconstruction method can avoid reflux esophagitis, and the procedure is simpler than the other two methods. Therefore, Orr-type Roux-en-Y reconstruction can be recommended as an adoptable method of digestive reconstruction after total gastrectomy for gastric cancer.

[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.

Comparing reconstruction with ileocecal graft to jejunal interposition pouch after total gastrectomy in rats

After total gastrectomy, the ileocecal graft may act as a reservoir and protect against reflux but give rise to transposition of the ileum and cause possible changes in bile acid metabolism and nutrition. This study compared the ileocecal graft and jejunal pouch. Male Wistar rats weighing 265 +/- 22 g were submitted to sham operation (S), ileocecal interposition graft (IIG), and jejunal pouch interposition graft (JP) after total gastrectomy. Eight weeks later, the esophagus was examined for evidence of esophagitis. Nutritional biochemistry and weight profile were documented preoperatively and 8 weeks after surgery. The oral glucose tolerance test was performed. Thirty-three rats were operated on and 30 survived for 8 weeks. Esophagitis occurred in seven JP rats. Body weight was significantly higher in IIG than in JP rats (p < .05). Normal glucose tolerance to intragastric glucose load was observed in sham and operated rats. JP rats had a significant decrease in serum albumin, glucose, transferrin, hemoglobin, iron, folate, and calcium, compared to sham (p < .05). Cobalamine was significantly lower in IIG rats than in JP rats (p < .05). In the IIG and JP groups, serum/hepatic total bile acid did not differ significantly from preoperative and sham values. In conclusion, the IIG interposition graft in rats prevented esophagitis, preserved nutrition, and did not interfere with enterohepatic total bile acid circulation.

Total gastrectomy with substitution of stomach by jejunal pouch with and without duodenal passage: study in rats

PURPOSE: A comparison was done between the F. Paulino jejunal pouch (FP) and a jejunal pouch (JP) as esophagus-duodenum interpositional graft, for replacing the stomach after total gastrectomy. It was investigated the effect of the two procedures on esophagus histology, nutritional state and serum gastrin in rats. METHODS: Male Wistar rats weighing 282±17g were randomly submitted to sham operation (S), FP and JP after total gastrectomy. After eight weeks the rats were killed with overdose of anesthetic and tissue was taken from the distal esophagus for histology. Serum levels of total proteins, albumin, iron, transferring, folate, cobalamine, calcium, as well as serum gastrin were determined. Survival was considered. RESULTS: Fourty six rats were operated and thirty survived for eight weeks. Five (33.3%) died after FP and 11 (52.3%) after JP (p<0.05). Postoperative esophagitis occurred in 6 JP rats. At 8th week, no difference was observed on body weight when compared FP and JP rats (p>0.05). The JP rats had a significant decrease in serum albumin, glucose, transferrin, iron, folate and calcium, compared to sham (p<0.05). Serum gastrin, iron and calcium were significantly higher in JP rats than in FP rats (p<0.05). In FP rats, transferrin and cobalamine showed significant decrease comparing the preoperative with 8th week levels (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: F. Paulino pouch in rats had lower mortality than JP, and esophagitis was not detected in it. JP rats had serum gastrin, iron and calcium unaffected, possibly because of preservation of duodenal passage.

Techniques of reconstruction after total gastrectomy for cancer

BACKGROUND

Jejunal pouch formation and restoration of duodenal transit have been suggested for reconstruction after total gastrectomy. Opinions about the clinical value vary.

METHODS

The literature was searched for prospective randomized trials comparing reconstructive procedures after total gastrectomy for malignancy. Reports with at least an English or German abstract were included. Immediate results were evaluated in terms of postoperative deaths and complications. Long-term outcome was analysed using trends in bodyweight and quality of life.

RESULTS

A total of 19 randomized trials including 866 patients was identified. The operative risk of total gastrectomy was low, with a median mortality rate of 0 (range 0-22) per cent, irrespective of the method of reconstruction. Neither gastric substitution nor restoration of duodenal transit was associated with significant procedure-related complications. Results for specific reconstructions varied considerably within and between individual trials. Jejunal pouch reconstruction, but not restoration of duodenal passage, was associated with improved food intake and a tendency for weight gain in the early postoperative months. A favourable perception of quality of life persisted in the long term in some studies.

CONCLUSION

Preservation of duodenal transit offers little clinical benefit. Construction of a small-bowel reservoir after total gastrectomy should be considered to improve early postoperative eating capacity, bodyweight and quality of life.

Total gastrectomy: options for the restoration of gastrointestinal continuity

Total gastric resection and the subsequent selection of the optimum procedure for reconstruction of the oesophageal-intestinal tract is a highly debated topic. Many different types of reconstruction have been proposed, but attempts to objectively validate the potential advantages of these techniques of have not produced any definitive conclusions. The main aim of reconstruction should be to maintain the nutritional status and quality of life of the patient, with the additional goal of achieving similar function to normal gut. In this review, we discuss the prospectively randomised studies of gastrointestinal reconstruction that were done between 1987 and 2002.

Aboral pouch with preserved duodenal passage--new reconstruction method after total gastrectomy

A new reconstruction method--the aboral pouch with preserved duodenal passage--has been introduced after total gastrectomy. After removal of the stomach, preparation of the Roux loop and construction of the esophago-jejunostomy, a jejuno-duodenostomy is performed approximately 50 cm away from the esophageal anastomosis between the Roux limb and the duodenal stump. Right below this second anastomosis, the Roux limb is closed with a stapling device to provide a unidirectional food passage through the duodenum. The aboral pouch is constructed as a side-to-side anastomosis between the Roux limb under the stapled segment and the aboral end of the Y limb. The advantages of the reservoir-constructing methods and the interposition methods are combined in this new reconstruction type. Our experiences of 17 cases having undergone this reconstruction method are presented.