The benefits of R anastomotic technique for Billroth-II reconstruction with Braun anastomosis during totally laparoscopic distal gastrectomy: a propensity score matching analysis

BACKGROUND

Currently, there is no consensus on the most appropriate anastomotic site, anastomotic line, and direction for Billroth-II reconstruction with Braun anastomosis (B-II-B anastomosis) during totally laparoscopic distal gastrectomy (TLDG). Herein, the authors presented a novel anastomotic technique called R anastomosis for B-II-B anastomosis and compared it with the conventional B-II-B anastomosis technique to assess its feasibility, safety, and effectiveness.

METHODS

Between March 2019 and September 2022 in our centre, R anastomosis was performed on 123 patients undergoing TLDG for distal gastric cancer. A retrospective review of a prospectively collected database identified patients who underwent TLDG between January 2010 and September 2022. Patients who underwent R anastomosis were matched in a 1:1 ratio with patients who underwent conventional anastomosis using a propensity score based on age, sex, preoperative BMI, American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) score, and the history of abdominal surgery. Surgical and postoperative outcomes and clinicopathological data were analyzed for both groups.

RESULTS

During the study period, 246 patients were included, 123 in each group. No intraoperative complications associated with digestive tract reconstruction and no cases of conversion to open surgery were reported in either group; furthermore, no incidences of perioperative mortality were noted in either group. The R group had a significantly reduced anastomotic time compared to the control group (30 ± 4.1 vs. 36 ± 5.3 min, P < 0.001). Perioperatively, the incidences of Clavien-Dindo grade II or higher complications were 6.5% (8/123) and 12.2% (15/123) in the R and control groups with no significant difference between the two groups. Postoperative gastric emptying dysfunction was found in five and one patient in the control and R groups, respectively.

CONCLUSION

R anastomosis is a safe and effective technique for B-II-B anastomosis following TLDG. This novel technique enhances the convenience of performing anastomosis and can reduce postoperative gastric emptying dysfunction.

Endoscopic nasogastric tube insertion for treatment of benign afferent loop obstruction after radical gastrectomy for gastric cancer: A 16-year retrospective single-center study

Afferent loop obstruction is an uncommon complication associated with Billroth-II distal gastrectomy. Inappropriate treatment may result in life-threatening events as perforation and peritonitis. For the benign afferent loop obstruction, Braun or Roux-en-Y reconstruction has been reported as the choice. However, the edematous afferent loop may result in anastomotic fistula. In this study, a less invasive technique was described for treatment of benign afferent loop obstruction. The aim of this study was to investigate the effectiveness and safety of endoscopic nasogastric tube insertion for treatment of benign afferent loop obstruction.We conducted a retrospective review of the data of 2548 gastric cancer patients who underwent distal gastrectomy from January 2002 to January 2018. Patients who developed benign afferent loop obstruction were treated by this procedure. Outcomes were recorded. Follow-up was scheduled at 3, 6, and 12 months after the treatment.Twenty-six patients (1.0%) developed afferent loop obstruction. The median age, consisting of 19 men and 7 women, was 60 years (range 36-69 years). Of these 26 patients, 23 underwent the endoscopic treatment. The obstructive symptoms had a rapid relief in all the 23 patients. No one died due to this procedure. However, 2 patients underwent surgical treatment due to intestinal obstruction because of adhesion at >4 and 7 months after the endoscopic drainage, respectively.Endoscopic nasogastric tube insertion is an effective and safe procedure for treatment of benign afferent loop obstruction. In addition, it could be considered as the first step in treatment, especially in high-surgical-risk patients.