Palliative Resection in Noncurative Gastric Cancer Patients

Background  

Palliative resection for noncurable gastric cancer remains controversial, especially in the elderly. This retrospective study was designed to elucidate the clinicopathological factors and operative outcome in patients undergoing palliative gastric resection.     

Short-term Outcomes of Roux-en-Y Stapled Anastomosis after Distal Gastrectomy for Gastric Adenocarcinoma

Background

Since 2003, we have begun to perform gastrojejunostomy by mechanical stapling for Roux-en-Y reconstruction in distal gastrectomy. We performed a retrospective study to compare the short-term outcomes of anastomosis by mechanical stapling and hand suturing.

Methods

We evaluated the data of 701 consecutive patients of gastric adenocarcinoma who underwent conventional open distal gastrectomy with Roux-en-Y reconstruction. The data collected included details on the method used for the Roux-en-Y reconstruction, the disease stage, extent of lymph node dissection, performance rate of truncal vagotomy, operation time, operative blood loss, length of hospital stay, and postoperative complications.

Results

The operation time was significantly shorter in the group in which mechanical stapling was used for the anastomosis (MS group) than in the group in which anastomosis was performed by hand suturing (HS group; 241.1?±?56.8 vs. 166.4?±?48.3 min; p?<?0.05). Postoperatively, delayed gastric emptying occurred in 14 (1.9%) patients, including seven (4.2%) from the MS group and seven (1.3%) from the HS group (p?=?0.038).

Conclusion

There were no significant disadvantages of employing mechanical stapling for anastomosis, except for the high rate of delayed gastric emptying. More consideration therefore needs to be given to decreasing the frequency of gastric emptying disturbance post surgery using mechanical staples.     

肥胖患者的腹腔镜辅助胃癌根治术

目的探讨肥胖因素对腹腔镜辅助胃癌根治术近期疗效的影响。方法回顾性分析我科2006年3月-2011年10月412例腹腔镜辅助胃癌根治术的临床资料,其中体重指数（body mass index,BMI）92594例（肥胖组）,BMI〈25318例（非肥胖组）,比较2组患者术中情况、术后恢复、手术并发症等指标。结果肥胖组手术时间明显长于非肥胖组[（220．7±40．4）min vs．（185．5±29．1）min,t=9．365,P=0．000],术中出血量明显多于非肥胖组[（132．1±34．1）mlvs．（106．2±18．6）ml,t=9．572,P=0．000],2组肛门排气时间虽有统计学差异,但无实际临床意义[（3．6±1．0）dVB．（3．4±0．8）d,t=2．005,P=0．046]。肥胖组淋巴结清扫数目为（20．8±7．5）枚,明显少于非肥胖组（27．1±8．7）枚（t=-6．356,P=0．000）。肥胖组与非肥胖组术后并发症发生率分别为19．1％（18／94）和13．2％（42／318）,无统计学差异（χ2=2．058,P=0．151）。2组围手术期死亡率分别为2．1％（2／94）和0．3％（1／318）,无统计学差异（P=0．132）。结论肥胖会延长腹腔镜辅助胃癌根治术的手术时间,影响淋巴结清扫,但不增加术后并发症发生率,开展初期应选择BMI〈25的非肥胖病例。     

Survival of Young Patients after Gastrectomy for Gastric Cancer

It has been suggested that gastric cancer has a worse prognosis in young patients, but the data are controversial. The aim of this study was to compare the 5-year survivals after gastrectomy for gastric cancer in two groups of patients (those ≤45 years of age and those (>45 years) and to determine some of the prognostic factors. The 5-year survival was significantly better for patients ≤45 years of age. Survival was also better for young patients with a curative resection and also for those with lymph node metastases. However, survival was not significantly different for the two groups when the resection was not curative and when the lymph nodes were not involved. Survival was no different for the two groups when compared at each stage, although a multivariate analysis showed that age >45 years, moderate or poor degree of differentiation of the tumor, advanced tumors, the presence of lymph node involvement, and a noncurative resection were independent negative prognostic factors. Long-term survival after gastrectomy for gastric cancer depends on the stage of the disease; the age of the patient is not a decisive factor.     

Behavioral Outcomes Following Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy Performed After Failed Laparoscopic Adjustable Gastric Banding

A healthy diet and good eating behaviors are essential components of long-term success in weight maintenance after bariatric surgery. Although rates of revised bariatric surgery have increased, data on subsequent behavioral outcomes are sparse. The aim of our study was to investigate behavioral outcomes following revised laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (R-LSG) that was indicated for failed laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding and compare with outcomes following primary laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (P-LSG). Twelve patients who underwent R-LSG and 25 patients who underwent P-LSG between 2007 and 2009 in our medical center completed a questionnaire that assessed weight loss, eating behaviors, physical activity, food tolerance, and satisfaction. The average time elapsed since the operation was 18 months for both groups. In the R-LSG group, more patients reported non-normative eating patterns and less healthy food selection than in the P-LSG group. Food tolerance and satisfaction were also lower after R-LSG. Engagement in regular physical activity increased from 0 to 16.7 % in the R-LSG group and from 8 to 33 % in the P-LSG group. After R-LSG, 58 % reported eating at scheduled times, compared with 85 % after P-LSG. Levels of healthy food selection, food tolerance, normative eating patterns, and physical activity were lower in the R-LSG group than in the P-LSG group. This study highlights the need to develop pre- and post-surgery treatment that would promote better behavioral outcomes in the growing number of individuals undergoing repeat bariatric surgery.     

Laparoscopy-assisted Gastrectomy for Early Gastric Cancer in Young and Elderly Patients

Open gastric surgery in elderly patients is associated with higher morbidity and mortality rates than those reported among younger individuals. Therefore, minimally invasive surgery may have a larger impact on the elderly compared to the younger age group. The objective of this study was to evaluate the experience of laparoscopy-assisted distal gastrectomy (LADG) in patients with early gastric cancer and compare the results in patients 70 years of age and older to those in patients younger than 70 years of age. From January 1998 to October 2004, a total of 103 patients underwent LADG. Of these patients, 30 who were older than 70 years were compared with 73 who were younger. Preoperative co-morbidity, operative results, postoperative outcomes, and survival were analyzed. Furthermore, as a standard control of this study, we reviewed 54 distal gastrectomy cases with open surgery (open distal gastrectomy; ODG) in the same term with the same background factors, categorized into elder (n = 16) and younger (n = 38). The mean age of the elderly patients was 75 years in the LADG group. A significantly higher proportion of elderly patients had concurrent diseases in both groups. Blood loss was significantly less in the elderly than in younger patients undergoing LADG, and it was less in the LADG group than in the ODG group. The overall 5-year survival rates in the LADG group were not significantly different between elderly and younger patients. Laparoscopy-assisted distal gastrectomy is a safe and effective treatment for early gastric cancer in the elderly. Therefore, chronological age alone should not be considered a contraindication in selecting patients for LADG.     

Factors Influencing Lymph Node Recovery from the Operative Specimen after Gastrectomy for Gastric Adenocarcinoma

Background  Regional lymph node metastases are an important predictor of survival for patients with resectable adenocarcinoma of the stomach. Currently, the number of lymph nodes examined is frequently less than requirements for accurate staging. Clinical factors associated with lymph node recovery are understood poorly. Methods  We performed a retrospective chart review of 99 consecutive patients who underwent gastrectomy for gastric adenocarcinoma distal to the gastroesophageal junction to determine clinical variables associated lymph node recovery. Results  Ninety-nine patients underwent gastrectomy for gastric adenocarcinoma at our two hospitals. More than 15 lymph nodes were examined in 64% of specimens. Univariate analysis showed an association between the number of lymph nodes recovered and the number of positive nodes, lymphadenectomy extent, hospital, surgeon, and pathology technician (p < 0.001). Multivariate analysis identified the pathology technician as the most important healthcare-related variable contributing to the variation of lymph node recovery, using fixed- (p < 0.001) and random-effects models. Conclusions  This study suggests that the pathology technician is an important healthcare-related factor influencing lymph node recovery after gastrectomy. In identifying potential areas benefiting from a systems improvements approach, focus on the technical aspects of specimen processing may be of benefit in maximizing the number of lymph nodes recovered. Presented in part at the 61st Annual Society of Surgical Oncology Cancer Symposium, Chicago, IL, USA, March 13–16, 2008     

Surgical Outcomes of Gastrectomy for Elderly Patients with Gastric Cancer

Background

This study was designed to determine the surgical outcomes of gastric cancer in elderly patients. This information can help establish appropriate treatment for these patients.

Methods

A total of 1,193 patients with gastric cancer who underwent gastrectomy between 1995 and 2010 were enrolled in this retrospective study. The clinicopathologic features of 104 elderly patients (aged ≥80 years) were compared with those of 1,089 nonelderly patients.

Results

(1) Tumors located in the lower-third of the stomach, differentiated cancer, and surgery with limited lymph node dissection were more common in elderly patients. However, there was no difference in the proportion of laparoscopic gastrectomy between elderly and nonelderly patients. (2) Although surgical complication rates were similar in the two groups, the operative mortality rate was higher in elderly patients (1.9 %) than in nonelderly patients (0.7 %). (3) Elderly patients had a significantly poorer overall survival rate, whereas the disease-specific survival rates of the two groups were similar. Limited lymph node dissection did not influence the disease-specific survival rate of elderly patients. (4) The median life expectancy of elderly gastric cancer survivors was 9.8 years in patients aged 80–84 years and 6.0 years in those ≥85 years. The patients with limited lymph node dissection had slightly better prognosis.

Conclusions

The treatment results in elderly patients were comparable to those in nonelderly patients. These findings suggest that R0 resection with at least limited lymph node dissection according to Japanese guidelines should be considered, even for elderly patients.     

Transient Liver Dysfunction after Laparoscopic Gastrectomy for Gastric Cancer Patients

Introduction The effect of laparoscopic surgery under CO₂ pneumoperitoneum on liver function is not clear. The aim of this study was to clarify whether laparoscopy-assisted distal gastrectomy (LADG) is associated with changes in liver function compared with open distal gastrectomy (ODG). Methods A total of 205 patients who underwent LADG (n = 147) or ODG (n = 58) between January 1994 and April 2004 were included in this study. Liver function tests—aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), albumin, total bilirubin—were examined before surgery and at 1, 3, and 7 days after surgery. The postoperative clinical course was compared between the two groups. Results AST levels on day 1 and ALT levels on days 1 and 3 were significantly higher in the LADG group. Albumin levels showed a marked decrease after operation in both groups, but the level recovered more rapidly in the LADG group than in the ODG group, showing significant differences on days 3 and 7. The total bilirubin levels remained unchanged from baseline. The postoperative complication rate was similar in the two groups, although 3 LADG patients among the 27 patients with liver disease suffered severe enteritis. Conclusions Transient liver dysfunction was documented in patients after laparoscopic gastrectomy under CO₂ pneumoperitoneum.     

Nutritional Assessment of Patients After Pylorus-Preserving Gastrectomy for Early Gastric Cancer

The aim of this study was to evaluate the nutritional advantages of pylorus-preserving gastrectomy (PPG) in comparison with distal gastrectomy with Billroth I anastomosis (DG) in early gastric cancer (EGC). Between 2005 and 2007, 24 patients underwent PPG and 30 underwent DG. Subjective global assessment, objective data assessment, and endoscopic findings of the remnant stomach were compared between the two groups. Two years after surgery, the patients’ body weights recovered to 97% in PPG, but they continued to decrease in DG. Postoperative blood lymphocyte counts remained low in DG, but recovered to preoperative levels 6 months after surgery in PPG. Food residue in the gastric remnant was frequently observed in PPG (71.4%) than in DG (15.8%, P = 0.001). In nutritional aspect, PPG may be a more ideal operation than DG. However, food residue in the gastric remnant should be considered in PPG.     

Gastric Stenosis After Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy in Morbidly Obese Patients

Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) is an effective bariatric procedure. The objective of this study is to describe a series of patients who were subjected to LSG and then developed gastric stenosis, with an emphasis on their treatment and a discussion of the possible underlying mechanisms. From January 2006 to October 2012, 717 patients with morbid obesity underwent LSG in our institution. Out of 717 patients, 571 (79.6 %) were women. The mean age was 36.9 years with a BMI of 37.3 kg/m². Five patients (0.69 %) developed gastric stenosis. Treatment of the stenosis was endoscopic dilatations; however, one patient required a conversion to laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass. Stenosis after LSG is rare but requires early diagnosis and treatment.