A novel surgical procedure of vagal nerve, lower esophageal sphincter, and pyloric sphincter-preserving nearly total gastrectomy reconstructed by single jejunal interposition, and postoperative quality of life

BACKGROUND/AIMS: For early gastric cancer total gastrectomy (TG) has so far been essentially unavoidable. We performed the nearly TG reconstructed by single jejunal interposition preservation of the vagal nerve, lower esophageal sphincter (LES) and pyloric sphincter (D1 or D2 lymph node dissection, curability A) as a function-preserving surgical technique (i.e. NTG) to improve postoperative quality of life (QOL). In this report, the application criteria and points of the technique are outlined. QOL in patients after NTG was also compared with those after TG. METHODOLOGY: Sixteen subjects who underwent NTG (12 men and 4 women subjects at age 30 to 70 years, mean 55.6 years) were interviewed to inquire about abdominal symptoms and compared with 20 patients after conventional TG (excision with D2 lymph node, radical curability A) reconstructed by single jejunal interposition without preserving the vagal nerve, LES, and pyloric sphincter (i.e. TGI; 14 men and 6 women at age 26 to 70 years, mean 54.8 years). The former was named group A and the latter group B. Included were cases with early cancer localizing at the upper third and middle stomach, 2cm or further in distance from oral-side margin of the cancer to esophagogastric mucosal junction; and 3.5cm or further in distance from anal-side margin of the cancer to the pyloric sphincter. In excision with the lymph node, hepatic and celiac branches were preserved. To preserve LES, the abdominal esophagus was completely preserved. The pyloric antrum was also preserved at 1.5cm from the pyloric sphincter. The substitute stomach was created as a 30-cm-long single jejunal segment having orthodromic peristaltic movement. RESULTS: The operative procedure in group A significantly improved postoperative gastrointestinal symptoms such as appetite loss (p=0.0004), weight loss (p=0.0369), reflux esophagitis (RE) (p=0.0163), early dumping syndrome (p=0.0163), endoscopic RE (p=0.0311), and postgastrectomy cholecystolithiasis (p=0.0163) compared with group B. Oral intake per one meal 5 years after operation compared with that before operation was better in group A than in group B (p=0.0703). Postoperative epigastric fullness was significantly detected in group A compared with group B (p=0.0072). CONCLUSIONS: The proposed surgical technique of NTG is a function-preserving surgery appropriate to improve QOL of subjects with early gastric cancer. There was a defect in this technique of postprandial feeling of epigastric fullness. We think that a gut motility improvement agent is necessary to improve postprandial epigastric fullness after NTG.     

Total gastrectomy reconstructed by interposition of a jejunal J pouch with preservation of hepatic vagus branch and lower esophageal sphincter for T2 gastric cancer without lymph node metastasis

BACKGROUND/AIMS: In order to improve postgastrectomy disorders of patients with T2 (MP or SS) gastric cancer without lymph node metastasis, which mainly locates in the middle third of stomach, we have performed a total gastrectomy preserving both hepatic vagus branches and the lower esophageal sphincter as a function-preserving surgical procedure. METHODOLOGY: In the present study, the application criteria and points of the technique are outlined, and postoperative quality of life is clinically investigated. Twenty-four subjects who underwent this surgical operation (group A; 16 men and 8 women subjects aged 46 to 73 years, mean age 62.2 years) were interviewed regarding appetite, weight loss, reflux esophagitis, dumping syndrome, and microgastria. Cholelithiasis following total gastrectomy was also checked by abdominal ultrasonography. Group A was compared with 26 cases of conventional total gastrectomy with D2 lymphadenectomy, excision of lower esophageal sphincter, total vagotomy, and single jejunal interposition (B group; 19 men and 7 women subjects aged 42 to 75 years, mean age 64.8 years). Application criteria of the technique: Included were cases with T2 cancer of N0 mainly localizing at the middle-third of the stomach which was 4 cm or further in distance from the oral-side margin of the cancer to the esophagogastric mucosa junction. Points of the technique: In lymphadenectomy, hepatic branches of the vagal nerve only preserved. To preserve lower esophageal sphincter, the abdominal esophagus was severed at the level of His angle to the longitudinal axis of the esophagus. Substitute stomach was created as a 15-cm jejunal pouch with a 5-cm-long jejunal conduit for isoperistaltic movement. RESULTS: In group A the food ingestion rate was significantly greater than that of group B (P<0.001) at 6 months and 2.0 years after operation, with no reflux esophagitis or dumping syndrome being noticed at 2.0 years after operation. In group B, loss of appetite 2.0 years after operation was significantly higher than that in group A (P<0.01). In addition, symptomatic reflux esophagitis (heartburn, dyspepsia, regurgitation) developed more significantly in group B than in group A (P<0.05). For food ingestion per time, group B was significantly delayed compared with group A (P<0.05). Body weight loss in group B was significantly higher than that in group A (P<0.01). Postgastrectomy cholelithiasis was detected significantly more in group B than in group A (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: These results suggested that the surgical technique proposed is safe and leads to a satisfactory symptomatic and nutritional result, and that this procedure is a function-preserving gastric surgery appropriate to prevent postgastrectomy disorders of subjects for T2 gastric cancer without lymph node metastasis, mainly located in the middle-third of stomach.     

Postoperative evaluation of the jejunal pouch reconstruction following proximal and distal gastrectomy for cancer

BACKGROUND/AIMS: To evaluate the efficacy of the jejunal pouch reconstruction following subtotal proximal and distal gastrectomy, a retrospective study examining the postoperative condition of patients who underwent different methods of reconstruction after gastrectomy for cancer was undertaken. METHODOLOGY: Various parameters indicative of postoperative function were evaluated at one year postoperatively, and two major groups were examined. The "proximal gastrectomy" group was composed of patients who underwent either 1) proximal gastrectomy with an interposed jejunal pouch (PG-pouch), 2) proximal gastrectomy with simple jejunal interposition (PG-inter), or 3) total gastrectomy with simple jejunal interposition (TG). The "distal gastrectomy" group was composed of patients who underwent either 4) distal gastrectomy with an interposed jejunal pouch (DG-pouch), 5) distal gastrectomy with simple jejunal interposition (DG-inter), or 6) distal gastrectomy with Billroth 1 reconstruction (B-1). RESULTS: Volume of meal intake was better preserved and the incidence of abdominal symptoms were less frequent in the PG-pouch and DG-pouch groups. In the PG-inter, DG-inter and DG-pouch groups, none of the patients experienced heartburn or had endoscopic findings consistent with reflux esophagitis, while 2 patients (20.0%) in the PG-pouch group complained of heartburn with evidence of reflux esophagitis on endoscopy. Increase in blood acetaminophen level was milder in both the PG-pouch and DG-pouch groups, signifying improved gastric emptying. CONCLUSIONS: The jejunal pouch interposition following proximal and distal gastrectomy seems to confer clinical benefit in terms of postoperative function, especially in the form of meal intake, abdominal symptoms, and gastric emptying. The side effect of an improved reservoir may be the incidence of reflux esophagitis seen in 2 patients in the PG-pouch group.     

Jejunal pouch interposition with an antiperistaltic conduit as a pyloric ring substitute after standard distal gastrectomy: a comparison with the use of an isoperistaltic conduit

BACKGROUND/AIMS: We performed jejunal pouch interposition with a short antiperistaltic conduit as a pylorus substitute after gastrectomy for gastric cancer and compared the outcome with an isoperistaltic conduit. METHODOLOGY: After a standard distal gastrectomy and lymph node dissection, a 15-cm-long pouch was formed using 3 linear staples (Endo-GIA) and interposed between the residual stomach and duodenum. The distal jejunal limb was made into a 3-cm-long isoperistaltic conduit in the isoperistaltic group (n = 17), and the proximal jejunal limb was made into a 3-cm-long antiperistaltic conduit in the antiperistaltic group (n = 8). Postoperatively, the patients were interviewed periodically to document any complaints. A dual-phase, dual-isotope radionuclide gastro-pouch-emptying study was performed 1 and 6 months after surgery. RESULTS: None of the patients developed postoperative complications and showed discomforts of dumping, stasis or reflux esophagitis. The dietary volume and body weight of patients gradually increased in both groups after 6 months. The combined radioisotope retention rate for the pouch and residual stomach was 31% for liquid food and 35% for solid food in the isoperistaltic group after 120 min, and 41% and 57%, respectively, in the antiperistaltic group. The pattern and emptying rate for solid food in the antiperistaltic group were more similar to those in healthy individuals than in the isoperistaltic group. CONCLUSIONS: The gastro-pouch-emptying test in the antiperistaltic group demonstrated acceptable emptying for a pyloric ring substitute. A reasonably good quality of life has been obtained for patients having an antiperistaltic jejunal conduit.     

Jejunal interposition helps prevent reflux gastritis

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Jejunal interposition after distal gastrectomy is reported to prevent both duodenogastric reflux and rapid gastric emptying. However, comparing primary reconstruction with this procedure and Billroth-I in terms of clinical evaluation by the same surgeon is rare. In this study, the benefit of this procedure was retrospectively evaluated as compared to the Billroth-I method. METHODOLOGY: Of 30 patients with early gastric cancer located at the middle third of the stomach, 15 underwent distal gastrectomy with jejunal interposition and the other 15 underwent Billroth-I gastrectomy by the same surgeon. Isoperistaltic jejunal interposition measuring 10-12 cm was used. All the anastomoses without jejunojejunostomy were performed using auto-suture staplers. Assessment of postoperative symptoms and functions was performed one year after surgery. RESULTS: The mean operation time was significantly longer after jejunal interposition (p < 0.01). No serious complications occurred in either group, and the hospital stay after operation was also similar. There were no significant differences in terms of postoperative symptoms, food intake, and recovery of body weight. The incidence of bile regurgitation and reflux gastritis was very low or zero in the jejunal interposition group, which indicated differences (p < 0.05, p < 0.01, respectively). Reflux esophagitis was not found in jejunal interposition, but two patients after Billroth I showed grade B esophagitis. As regards gastric emptying, the retention capacity was very poor and there was no significant difference between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: Jejunal interposition after distal gastrectomy was superior to the Billroth-I procedure in terms of reflux gastritis prevention. However, dumping syndrome and rapid gastric emptying were not prevented.     

Esophagogastrostomy reconstruction after limited proximal gastrectomy

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Recent advances in diagnostic techniques have led to the detection of an increasing number of early gastric cancers in the upper third of the stomach. The objective of this study was to determine the most appropriate surgical treatment for these cancers. METHODOLOGY: The clinicopathologic characteristics of 35 patients with early gastric cancer in the upper third of the stomach who underwent three different types of gastrectomies were reviewed retrospectively from hospital records between January 1992 and August 1999. RESULTS: Patients undergoing limited proximal gastrectomy with esophagogastrostomy reconstruction had shorter operation times and less blood loss than those for patients undergoing total gastrectomy or proximal gastrectomy with jejunal interposition. No lymph node metastasis was identified in any of these patients. Heartburn due to reflux esophagitis was seen in a few patients of each group, but they were successfully treated by antacids. The extreme reduction in food intake volume was more frequently experienced in patients with total gastrectomy than those with both proximal gastrectomies. When mortality due to other disease was excluded, all patients survived without recurrence. CONCLUSIONS: A limited proximal gastrectomy with esophagogastrostomy reconstruction decreased surgical risk and realized preservation of maximal function.     

Results of follow-up endoscopy in patients who underwent proximal gastrectomy with jejunal interposition for gastric cancer

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The present study evaluates the findings of long-term follow-up endoscopy in patients who underwent proximal gastrectomy with jejunal interposition for gastric cancer. METHODOLOGY: A total of 55 patients (45 males, 10 females; 32 to 79 years; mean, 55.9 years), who underwent proximal gastrectomy with jejunal interposition, were enrolled in the present study. We reviewed the findings of follow-up endoscopy of all patients with particular reference to the development of esophagitis, jejunitis, jejunal ulcer and secondary tumors. RESULTS: We found reflux esophagitis in 6 patients (10.9%) between 12 and 35 months with an average of 22 months after surgery. Jejunitis was discovered in 5 patients (9.0%) between 6 and 96 months with an average of 29 months after surgery. Jejunal ulcer was revealed in 6 patients (10.9%) between 6 and 75 months with an average of 37 months after surgery. Tumors of the remnant stomach, early gastric cancer and gastric adenoma, were identified in 2 patients (3.6%) at 24 months and 69 months, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Jejunal interposition combined with proximal gastrectomy does not always prevent complications related to regurgitation of gastric content, and may not be a suitable treatment in view of postoperative endoscopic surveillance. Further studies are required to identify an appropriate surgical approach to proximal gastrectomy for gastric cancer.     

Anti-reflux pouch-esophagostomy after proximal gastrectomy with jejunal pouch interposition reconstruction

Reflux esophagitis is a serious postoperative complication for patients undergoing gastrectomy. We designed a new jejunal pouch-esophagostomy to prevent reflux after proximal gastrectomy. After proximal gastrectomy, ajejunal segment about 17 cm long was folded. Side-to-side jejuno-jejunostomy was made using a linear stapler with 100-mm staples along the length at the anti-mesenteric side. A 10-cm-longjejunal pouch with a 7-cm-long apical bridge was made. Esophago-jejuno end-to-side anastomosis (pouch-esophagostomy) was made with circular stapler at the right anterior wall the apical bridge. We add "partial posterior fundoplication" like wrapping using the apical bridge of the jejunal pouch. Patients with this new anti-reflux anastomosis showed no reflux on barium meal study even in the right anterior oblique deep Trendelenburg's position. Jejunal pouch reconstruction with partial posterior wrapping provides a satisfactory result with regard to preventing reflux esophagitis.     

Esophagogastrectomy without pyloroplasty

There is no consensus on the need for pyloroplasty after esophagectomy or proximal gastrectomy with an esophagogastrostomy and vagotomy. Arguments for routine pyloroplasty include prevention of postoperative delayed gastric emptying. Arguments against include prevention of postoperative dumping syndrome and bile reflux esophagitis. The purpose of this study was to assess clinical outcomes of patients undergoing esophagogastrectomy without routine pyloroplasty. All patients undergoing esophagogastrectomy or proximal gastrectomy with esophagogastrostomy from October 1996 to September 2002, inclusive were reviewed for age, gender, diagnosis, type of resection, pathology, short-term complications, long-term complications, remedial procedures performed, and postoperative gastric emptying scintigraphy. 58 patients were studied. Postoperative mortality was 6.9%, and anastomotic leak rate 12.1%. Eleven patients (19%) had symptomatic gastroparesis, two required pyloric balloon dilation and one a pyloroplasty. No patients complained of dumping symptoms; reflux requiring medical intervention occurred in seven (12.1%), and anastomotic stricture requiring dilation occurred in five (8.6%). Omitting a pyloroplasty does not lead to a high frequency of symptomatic delayed gastric emptying. Maintaining the pylorus may protect patients from dumping syndrome, and bile reflux esophagitis with its potential noxious effects on the remaining esophageal mucosa.     

Evaluation of reconstruction after proximal gastrectomy: prospective comparative study of jejunal interposition and jejunal pouch interposition

BACKGROUND/AIMS: To prevent various distresses after proximal gastrectomy, reconstruction by interposed jejunal pouch has been advocated as an organ-preserving surgical strategy to ensure favorable quality of life for the patients. METHODOLOGY: Proximal gastrectomy was performed in 9 patients with gastric cancer in the upper third of the stomach. Four patients were randomly selected for reconstruction by jejunal pouch interposition (JPI group), while 5 had reconstruction by jejunal interposition (JI group). The patients who underwent JPI and JI were followed up to evaluate resumption of normal diet, change in body weight, and clinical symptoms. RESULTS: The JPI group showed a significant dietary advantage. Three months after surgery, JPI patients could eat more than 80% of the volume of their preoperative meals, whereas JI patients ate less than 50%. The percentage of postoperative body weight loss was higher in the JI group than in the JPI group because the volume of the remnant stomach was more adequate in the latter. Moreover, it was easier to enter the remnant stomach and duodenum for endoscopic fiberscopy in the JPI group for the treatment of hepato-biliary pancreatic disease. CONCLUSIONS: JPI is an effective method for preservation of gastric function after proximal gastrectomy.     

Serious complications after a proximal gastrectomy with a jejunal pouch interposition for gastric cancer

Proximal gastrectomy with jejunal interposition is a common surgical method in Japan, because the procedure has been shown to give a better post-operative quality of life. Some complications are associated with it. However, esophageal candidiasis and linear marginal ulcer along the gastrojejunal anastomosis after the surgical method has never previously been reported. We herein report a case of a patient who developed serious complications after proximal gastrectomy with jejunal interposition. A 68-year-old man underwent proximal gastrectomy with a jejunal pouch interposition for reconstruction for type 1 gastric cancer. Twenty-three months after the procedure, he complained of dysphagia and epigastric pain. Esophagogastroduodenoscopy showed esophageal candidiasis. The patient improved symptomatically following antifungal medication with fluconazole. Eleven months later, the patient developed severe pneumonia. In subsequent days, a melena episode occurred. Esophagogastroduodenoscopy revealed a linear marginal ulcer along three-fourths of the gastrojejunal anastomosis. The ulcer was drug resistant. The patient died of respiratory failure. Jejunal pouch interposition after a proximal gastrectomy can be associated with significant complications. Further studies are required to identify the best condition of the procedure.     

Effects of mosapride citrate on patients after vagal nerve, lower esophageal sphincter, and pyloric sphincter-preserving nearly total gastrectomy reconstructed by jejunal J pouch interposition, and postoperative quality of life

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Vagal nerve and pylorus-preserving nearly total gastrectomy reconstructed by interposition of a jejunal J pouch (hereinafter called NTGP) is a function-preserving operation for early gastric cancer. However, some patients after NTGP have suffered from postprandial food stasis in the substitute stomach, and postprandial stasis leads to abdominal symptoms. To clarify the clinical effect of mosapride citrate (hereinafter called MS) for prevention of food stasis in the substitute stomach for patients after NTGP, we studied the clinical effects of MS before and after administration of MS. METHODOLOGY: In a total of 24 patients (18 males, 6 females; aged 44-70 years, average 58.1 years) during 5 years after NTGP for early gastric cancer (D1 lymph node dissection, curability A), the relationship between their postoperative quality of life (QOL) and emptying function of the substitute stomach (hereinafter called EFS) was compared using a radioisotope method before MS therapy and after MS therapy at an oral dose of 15mg/day for 3 months. RESULTS: The interviews showd that after MS therapy, patients had more evident appetite and ate more food with a slight increase in body weight (0.52Kg) compared with patients before MS therapy. Before and after MS therapy, patients had no early dumping symtoms, while patients after MS therapy clearly had fewer symptoms such as reflux esophagitis, nausea, and abdominal pain compared with before MS therapy. After MS therapy, patients also had significantly decreased abdominal fullness compared with before MS therapy (p = 0.0046). Endoscopically, we found reflux esophagitis in 4 patients before MS therapy but in no patients after MS therapy. All patients before MS therapy showed residual contents in the substitute stomach, but only 10 patients after MS therapy showed residual contents in the substitute stomach. There was a significant difference between before and after MS therapy (p = 0.0016). Regarding EFS, the time to 50% residual rate before MS therapy (98.7 +/- 13.0 min) was significantly slower than that after MS therapy (83.2 +/- 13.8 min) (p = 0.0134). After MS therapy (37.0 +/- 4.9%), the residual rates at 120 minutes were significantly decreased compared with patients before MS therapy (44.8 +/- 5.3%) (p = 0.0028). Patients after MS therapy clearly had improved stasis of substitute stomach compared with before MS therapy. CONCLUSIONS: It was considered that MS therapy subsequently improves abdominal fullness due to the postprandial food stasis in the substitute stomach, contributing to the improvement of QOL of patients after NTGP.     

胃癌病人全胃切除、代胃及人工幽门括约肌重建术的远期疗效观察

目的 观察胃癌病人行全胃切除、代胃及人工幽门括约肌重建术的远期疗效。方法 连续5年对应用此法治疗的106例胃癌患者的营养状况、生存率、术后并发症发生率以及术后生活质量等情况进行定期随访。结果 本组患者5年生存率42．5％，碱性反流性食管炎的发生率为0．9％，术后5年胆石症发生率为5．66％，生活质量优良率为89．6％。结论 全胃切除、代胃及人工幽门括约肌重建术治疗进展期胃癌有较好的远期疗效。     

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 functionpreserving 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 functionpreserving gastrectomy, we should pay attention to the development of metachronous gastric cancer.     

Functional outcomes according to the size of the gastric remnant and type of reconstruction following open and laparoscopic proximal gastrectomy for gastric cancer

Background/Aims: We compared functional outcomes between different types of reconstruction following open or laparoscopic 1/2- or 2/3-proximal gastrectomy for gastric cancer. Methodology: Resection and reconstruction were performed by one of the following 6 methods, depending on the depth of cancer invasion and the date of the procedure relative to introduction of laparoscopic proximal gastrectomy: open proximal 2/3-gastrectomy with jejunal interposition (2/3PG-int, n=7), open proximal 1/2-gastrectomy with jejunal interposition (1/2PG-int, n=5), laparoscopic proximal 1/2-gastrectomy followed by double tract reconstructions with small (3cm) jejunogastrostomy (L1/2 PG-DT(S), n=19) and laparoscopic proximal 1/2-gastrectomy followed by double tract reconstructions with large (6cm) jejunogastrostomy (L1/2PG-DT(L), n=10). Open total gastrectomy with jejunal interposition (TG, n=12) and laparoscopic total gastrectomy with Roux-en-Y reconstruction (LTG, n=14) represented control procedures. Results: Comparison of postoperative/preoperative body weight ratios and food intake ratios revealed better preservation among patients with a larger remnant stomach and with easy flow of food into the remnant stomach (the 1/2PG-int and L1/2PG-DT(L) groups). Conclusions: Better functional outcomes were observed in patients with a large remnant stomach and with easy flow of food into the remnant stomach regardless of whether they underwent open or laparoscopic procedures.     

Physiological studies on nitric oxide in the lower esophageal sphincter of patients with reflux esophagitis

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Nitric oxide has recently been shown to be a neurotransmitter in the non-adrenergic non-cholinergic inhibitory nerves in the digestive tract. To clarify the significance of nitric oxide in the lower esophageal sphincter of patients with reflux esophagitis, we have investigated enteric nerve responses in lower esophageal sphincter specimens obtained from the patients with gastric cancer who had reflux esophagitis, using the normal lower esophageal sphincter as a control. METHODOLOGY: Lower esophageal sphincter specimens were obtained from 6 patients who had gastric cancer with reflux esophagitis, and normal lower esophageal sphincter specimens were obtained from 12 patients who had gastric cancer without gastroesophageal reflux disease. A mechanograph was used to evaluate in vitro lower esophageal sphincter muscle responses to electrical field stimulation of the adrenergic and cholinergic nerves before and after treatment with various autonomic nerve blockers, and NG-nitro-L-arginine and L-arginine. RESULTS: 1) Cholinergic nerves were more dominant in the normal lower esophageal sphincter than in the lower esophageal sphincter with reflux esophagitis (p < 0.01); 2) non-adrenergic non-cholinergic inhibitory nerves were significantly found to act more on the lower esophageal sphincter with reflux esophagitis than those in the normal lower esophageal sphincter (p < 0.01); 3) nitric oxide mediates the relaxation reaction via non-adrenergic non-cholinergic inhibitory nerves in the normal lower esophageal sphincter and the lower esophageal sphincter with reflux esophagitis; 4) The relaxation reaction of nitric oxide was observed in the normal lower esophageal sphincter and increased in the lower esophageal sphincter with reflux esophagitis. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that the cholinergic and non-adrenergic non-cholinergic inhibitory nerves play important roles in regulating contraction and relaxation of the human lower esophageal sphincter, and nitric oxide plays an important role in non-adrenergic non-cholinergic inhibitory nerves of the human lower esophageal sphincter. In addition, a decrease of the action of cholinergic nerves and an increase of the action of non-adrenergic non-cholinergic inhibitory nerves by nitric oxide may be largely related to the low lower esophageal sphincter pressure observed in the patients with reflux esophagitis.     

Postgastrectomy syndromes--diagnosis and treatment

The stomach has a variety of functions that are lost with gastrectomy. Since nowadays a significant number of patients are long-term survivors, consequences of this loss need to be considered by gastroenterologists and surgeons alike. Abnormal transit, disturbed general nutrition and micronutrient deficiencies are the most common problems. The main resulting symptoms are early and late dumping, reflux esophagitis, weight loss, anemia, and osteopathy. It is not definitively clear if pouch reconstruction can really improve the situation. Dietary measures, rarely re-operation, and in particular adequate follow-up of metabolic and nutrition parameters with consequent substitution are the main therapeutic necessities.     

Role of pyloroplasty after proximal gastrectomy for cancer

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The necessity of pyloroplasty as a drainage procedure after proximal gastrectomy remains controversial in terms of the postoperative quality of life. The aim of this retrospective study was to evaluate whether pyloroplasty is necessary after proximal gastrectomy. METHODOLOGY: Thirty-five patients who underwent proximal gastrectomy with jejunal interposition between 1993 and 2000 were studied. They were divided into two groups: Group A, jejunal interposition without pyloroplasty (n=17); Group B, jejunal interposition with pyloroplasty (n=18). The subjects were interviewed and examined to assess their symptoms, food intake and body weight at 6, 12, and 24 months after the operation. Endoscopy and a radioisotope gastric emptying test were performed one year postoperatively. RESULTS: A low incidence of epigastric fullness, nausea, and vomiting and a high frequency of patients with greater than 80% of pre-illness food intake were found in Group B. A high recovery of bodyweight was also achieved in Group B. On the other hand, a high incidence of reflux gastritis or bile regurgitation was found in Group B. Gastric emptying was significantly delayed in Group A. CONCLUSIONS: Pyloroplasty as a drainage procedure after proximal gastrectomy is necessary in terms of the clinical symptoms, dietary intake, recovery of body weight, or gastric emptying.     

Suture line recurrence in the jejunal pouch after curative proximal gastrectomy for gastric cancer: report of two cases

We report two patients with suture line recurrence in the jejunal pouch after curative proximal gastrectomy for gastric cancer. The first patient was a 60-year-old asymptomatic woman with gastric cancer (T2N0M0) after curative proximal gastrectomy with jejunal pouch interposition. She had to undergo a second resection for suture line recurrence in the jejunal pouch 12 months later. On examination of the resected specimen, histological examination revealed a moderately differentiated adenocarcinoma, which was similar to that of the primary tumor. The second patient was a 74-year-old man who was also diagnosed as having locoregional recurrences in the jejunal pouch after a curative proximal gastrectomy with an S-shaped pouch for gastric cancer (T2N0M0). Histological examination of the resected specimen revealed moderately differentiated adenocarcinoma, which had a similar histopathology to that of the primary tumor. During the first procedure, the jejunal pouch was formed using several disposable devices and the end-to-side esophagojejunostomy was performed with another circular stapler to avoid contamination through surgical instruments. Exfoliated cancer cells that may have detached from the primary tumor during the surgical procedures could have contributed to local recurrence along the longitudinal suture line of the pouch.     

Application of mechanical dilatation of the pyloric sphincter in esophagectomy for esophageal carcinoma

The objective of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of additional intraoperative mechanical dilatation of the pyloric sphincter in order to prevent early postoperative gastric retention after esophagectomy using the stomach as substitute for esophageal carcinoma patients. Between October 2001 and May 2002, 32 consecutive esophageal carcinoma patients were treated with esophagectomy combined with additional intraoperative mechanical dilatation of pyloric sphincter (trial group). Another 30 patients underwent esophagectomy without additional intraoperative mechanical dilatation of the pyloric sphincter (control group). Both groups were compared in the following aspects: amount of postoperative GI drainage, time of flatus, intrathoracic gastric fluid retention and other surgical related complications. The amount of GI drainage in the trial group was significantly less than that in the control group (p < 0.05), and time of anal exsufflation was 1 to 2 days. X-ray demonstrated only 0 to 25% of intrathoracic gastric fluid retention and no related complications such as anastomotic leakage, so the patients in the trial group suffered less gastric reflux. Additional intraoperative mechanical dilatation of the pyloric sphincter in radical esophagectomy can accelerate gastric emptying, the recovery of gastric-intestinal function and obviously decrease the occurrence of early postoperative gastric retention and related complications. This method does have the advantages of ease of performance, confirmed effectiveness and safety. It can be utilized in radical esophagectomy through any approach of thoracotomy.