食管胃结合部胃肠间质瘤手术方式及消化道重建方法选择

食管胃结合部胃肠间质瘤的主要手术方式有局部切除和近端胃切除,在满足安全手术切缘的前提下,如果齿状线可以完整保留,即可以采取局部切除。近端胃切除术后的主要消化道重建方法有食管-管状残胃吻合,其中食管-管状残胃前壁吻合防反流效果更佳;Kamikawa双浆肌层瓣成型术操作复杂,但是防反流效果可靠;间置空肠重建方法可以有效地防止反流,连续间置空肠简化了手术操作,缩短了手术时间;双通路重建是近年比较常用的方法,可以有效预防术后贫血和维生素B12缺乏。     

食管胃结合部癌的消化道重建

近端胃大部切除术后食管残胃吻合是常用的术式,但是由于手术破坏了防反流结构,造成残胃内容物反流至食管内导致反流性食管炎。管状胃消化道重建,采取食管残胃前壁吻合及幽门成型可以在残胃残端形成类似胃底结构,防反流作用明显,基本保持了胃的解剖结构,具备食物的贮存与消化功能。间置空肠可以有效防止反流,连续间置空肠具有操作简便、安全可靠等优点。天津医科大学肿瘤医院对1例食管胃结合部腺癌和1例食管胃结合部间质瘤患者实施近端胃切除术,术后分别采取了管状胃食管吻合和连续间置空肠两种消化道重建方式。患者术后恢复顺利,无相关}肖化道并发症发生。     

腹腔镜胃切除食管-空肠（残胃）吻合新技术

目的 介绍新型经口底钉座置入装置（OrVil^TM,Covidien）在腹腔镜胃切除食管-空肠或残胃管状吻合术中的应用,探讨其可行性、安全性及临床效果.方法 对5例贲门、胃体癌患者及1例贲门部间质瘤患者分别施行腹腔镜下根治性全胃切除加食管-空肠Roux-en-Y吻合术以及近端胃次全切除加食管-残胃吻合术,用新型OrVil^TM装置经口将底钉座置入食管下端,进行食管-空肠或食管-残胃吻合.结果 6例患者手术均顺利,手术时间（183.3±25.8）min,术中出血（128.3±90.2）ml;术后（4.0±1.1）d恢复胃肠功能当天,行上消化道碘剂造影提示吻合口通畅无狭窄和瘘后开始进食,术后（9.0±2.6）d出院.术后28 d随访,患者一般情况良好,无吻合口狭窄等并发症发生.结论 用OrVil^TM新型装置在食管内放置底钉座,行食管-空肠（残胃）管状吻合安全可靠,近期临床疗效佳.     

全腹腔镜近端胃切除术中行裂隙法食管胃吻合可行性及疗效分析

目的 分析裂隙法食管胃吻合用于全腹腔镜近端胃切除术的可行性及疗效。方法 回顾性分析2021年11月至2022年3月复旦大学附属华山医院连续收治的4例行全腹腔镜近端胃切除术病例的临床资料,术中消化道重建均采用裂隙法食管胃吻合,即在完成近端胃切除后,于残胃前壁纵向做一浆肌层裂隙,长约3 cm,保留黏膜完整,将食管断端与裂隙远端胃壁行端侧吻合,吻合口近端的残胃作270°折叠包绕食管下端。观察病人术中情况、围手术期并发症以及术后恢复情况,术后随访10个月。结果 所有病例均于腔内完成吻合,无中转开放手术。手术时间为（225.5±48.8）min,吻合时间为（45.0±21.2）min,术中失血（30.0±16.3）mL。术后无ClavienDindo分级Ⅱ级及以上并发症发生。住院时间为（7.0±1.4）d。内镜随访未见明显吻合口狭窄或反流。结论 裂隙法食管胃吻合是一种安全可行的胃底折叠、瓣膜成形食管胃吻合方式,降低了手术难度,可在全腹腔镜下完成,可能有助于降低吻合口狭窄发生率。     

经腹经裂孔纵隔内食管-胃和食管-空肠双吻合新技术的应用

目的探讨经腹经裂孔行扩大近端胃或全胃切除术后,在纵隔内完成食管-胃或食管-空肠吻合的方法。方法2010年5月至2012年1月,对15例食管胃交界部腺癌患者在施行开放经腹膈肌裂孔扩大胃切除术或全胃切除术后,采用腹段食管逆向置入抵钉座、弧形吻合器切断食管、利用缝线牵出抵钉座的方法予以双吻合技术完成食管-胃或食管-空肠吻合,其中9例为近端胃大部切除行食管-管状胃端端吻合,6例为全胃切除术行食管-空肠吻合。结果全部病例吻合过程顺利,手术时间（185．5±13．1）min,吻合耗时（42．0±8．6）min,术中出血量（106．7±34．9）ml,食管切缘距肿瘤近端（4．4±1．2）cm．残端均无癌残留。无手术死亡及吻合口瘘发生,术后随访发现1例吻合口狭窄．经扩张后缓解。结论抵钉座逆向置人食管联合弧形切割闭合器双吻合技术能简单而安全地在下后纵隔完成食管-胃或食管-空肠吻合．可能成为食管胃交界处癌行扩大胃切除术后的一种较理想的吻合方式。     

腹腔镜根治性全胃或近端胃切除后食管抵钉座置入新技术

目的 探讨腹腔镜根治性全胃切除或根治性近端胃大部切除后,牵引法放置食管抵钉座行食管残胃或食管空肠吻合新技术的临床价值.方法 回顾性分析2010年3月至2011年2月我中心应用牵引法将吻合器抵钉座置入食管完成腹腔镜根治性全胃切除食管空肠吻合或根治性近端胃大部食管残胃吻合的21例胃癌患者的临床资料.手术采用五孔法,在完成胃周淋巴结清扫和食管游离后,先在超过肿瘤上方3 cm处切开食管,将带牵引线抵钉座完全置入食管近端,保留牵引线在食管切口外,然后切割缝合器横断食管,借助牵引线将抵钉座定位杆拉出,最后在腹腔镜下完成吻合.结果 21例患者均在腹腔镜下顺利完成手术,无中转开腹.15例行腹腔镜根治性全胃切除,6例行根治性近端胃大部切除.平均手术时间为(257±38) min,术中平均出血量为(119±32) ml,术后平均下床活动时间为92.5±0.5)d,术后肛门平均排气时间为(3.7±0.8)d,术后平均住院时间为(7.5±2.6)d.本组患者术后无围手术期死亡,无吻合口出血、吻合口瘘等；但3例患者术后出现并发症,其中1例为肺部感染合并胸腔积液,经积极保守治疗后痊愈；1例为吻合口狭窄,经胃镜气囊扩张治疗后症状缓解；另有1例为切口感染,经积极切开引流换药后痊愈.术后病理检查:所有患者吻合圈和标本切缘未见癌细胞.组织学类型:高分化腺癌4例,中分化腺癌8例,低分化或黏液腺癌9例.UICC分期:Ⅰ期5例,Ⅱ期10例,Ⅲ期6例.21例患者平均随访时间为(11±4)个月96～17个月),无肿瘤复发、转移.结论 牵引法放置食管抵钉座行食管残胃或食管空肠吻合安全可靠,操作简单容易掌握,为腹腔镜下消化道重建提供了一种新的技术选择.     

腹腔镜辅助近端胃切除的适应证及消化道重建技巧

近端胃切除与全胃切除相比,由于保留了胃的部分容积,对胃肠激素分泌和营养物质吸收干扰较小而具有潜在优势,被选择性地用于早期胃上部癌的治疗.腹腔镜辅助近端胃切除因考虑手术根治性和安全性等技术问题,整体而言开展并不普遍.食管-残胃吻合是近端胃切除术后最简单也是最常见的吻合方式,然而术后发生食管反流和吻合口狭窄的风险非常高.为预防近端胃切除术后反流性食管炎,外科医生开展了多种食管-空肠吻合技术,如间置空肠吻合、双通路吻合等,但是由于这些技术的复杂性,并未在腹腔镜辅助近端胃切除术中得到广泛应用.本文重点介绍腹腔镜辅助近端胃切除术中行食管-残胃吻合的一些技术要点.     

腹腔镜下经膈肌裂孔食管胃切除治疗食管胃交界癌55例

目的 探讨腹腔镜下经膈肌裂孔食管胃切除术治疗食管胃交界癌的安全性和可行性.方法 回顾性分析2008年2月至2010年5月接受腹腔镜下经膈肌裂孔食管胃切除术治疗的55例食管胃交界癌患者的临床资料.结果 本组患者中Siewert Ⅱ型者36例,Siewert Ⅲ型者19例;行近端胃大部切除35例,全胃切除术20例;行D2淋巴结清扫53例,姑息性切除2例;行下纵隔食管旁淋巴结清扫或活检33例.5例患者中转开腹,其余50例顺利完成腹腔镜手术,手术时间（236.2±35.5） min,出血量（60.6±33.9） ml,清扫淋巴结（21.2±10.4）枚,食管切缘距肿瘤近端平均（3.5±0.7） cm.无围手术期死亡病例,无吻合口狭窄或瘘发生.术中纵隔淋巴结清扫过程中11例患者出现胸膜破裂,其中6例于术中及时修补,4例于手术结束前修补,1例于术后行胸腔穿刺,均顺利恢复.术后肺部感染3例,切口感染1例.结论 腹腔镜下经膈肌裂孔食管胃切除治疗食管胃交界癌安全可行.     

腹腔镜下经膈肌裂孔食管胃切除治疗食管胃交界癌55例

目的 探讨腹腔镜下经膈肌裂孔食管胃切除术治疗食管胃交界癌的安全性和可行性.方法 回顾性分析2008年2月至2010年5月接受腹腔镜下经膈肌裂孔食管胃切除术治疗的55例食管胃交界癌患者的临床资料.结果 本组患者中Siewert Ⅱ型者36例,Siewert Ⅲ型者19例;行近端胃大部切除35例,全胃切除术20例;行D2淋巴结清扫53例,姑息性切除2例;行下纵隔食管旁淋巴结清扫或活检33例.5例患者中转开腹,其余50例顺利完成腹腔镜手术,手术时间(236.2±35.5) min,出血量(60.6±33.9) ml,清扫淋巴结(21.2±10.4)枚,食管切缘距肿瘤近端平均(3.5±0.7) cm.无围手术期死亡病例,无吻合口狭窄或瘘发生.术中纵隔淋巴结清扫过程中11例患者出现胸膜破裂,其中6例于术中及时修补,4例于手术结束前修补,1例于术后行胸腔穿刺,均顺利恢复.术后肺部感染3例,切口感染1例.结论 腹腔镜下经膈肌裂孔食管胃切除治疗食管胃交界癌安全可行.     

反穿刺器技术在腹腔镜食管胃交界部腺癌中的应用

目的探讨反穿刺器(reverse puncture device,RPD)在腹腔镜食管-空肠吻合中的应用,探讨其可行性、安全性及临床效果。方法回顾性分析2011年3月至2012年12月接受腹腔镜下经膈肌裂孔全胃切除术治疗20例食管胃交界部腺癌病人的临床资料。所有病人均在腹腔镜下切开食管前壁,置入 RPD,完成食管-空肠吻合。结果本组20例病人均在腹腔镜下顺利完成手术,手术时间为(189.8±44.1)min,抵钉座放置时间为(15.6±3.5)min,吻合耗时(58.7±9.3)min,术中出血量为(275.6±36.1)ml,排气时间为(2.9±0.7)d,下床时间为(3.8±0.8)d,术后引流量为(252.8±31.0)ml,住院时间为(10.3±1.6)d。食管切缘距肿瘤近端(4.2± 1.0)cm,残端均无癌残留。围手术期无死亡病例,未发生吻合口瘘、吻合口狭窄、腹腔感染等并发症。20例病人均获随访,随访时间12~ 15 个 月。术后1个月和3个月反流性疾病问卷表(reflux diagnostic questionnaire, RDQ)评分分别为(9.8±3.6)分和(9.1±2.9)分。随访期间发现1例病人吻合口狭窄,经扩张后缓解。结论抵钉座逆向置入食管能简单而安全地在下后纵隔完成食管-空肠吻合,可能成为食管胃交界部腺癌行全胃切除术后的一种较理想的吻合方式。     

Safe laparoscopic resection of a gastric gastrointestinal stromal tumor close to the esophagogastric junction

Laparoscopic gastrectomy is commonly performed for gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs). Partial gastrectomy is usually achieved with a wedge resection to preserve gastric function; however, performing a wedge resection to excise a large tumor located close to the esophagogastric junction (EGJ) can result in deformation of the stomach and/or the stenosis of the EGJ if the gastric wall resection is excessive. We describe our procedure, in which the whole layer of the gastric wall was cut, maintaining a sufficient margin and confirming the distance between the tumor and the EGJ, by endoscopy and laparoscopy. The defect in the gastric wall was closed using linear staplers by hanging up the stay sutures. Five patients with GIST close to EGJ underwent this procedure, followed by a good postoperative course. Thus, we consider our procedure to be safe and effective for gastric GISTs close to the EGJ.     

A simple and safe anastomosis in pancreaticogastrostomy using mattress sutures

When a suture does not trap a sufficient volume of pancreatic parenchyma in the conventional pancreatic anastomosis, laceration may be caused by even modest tension. Therefore, we used mattress sutures with gastric wall, which works protectively. An opening was made on the posterior wall of the stomach. By using a 3-0 polypropylene monofilament thread with a straightened needle at each end, the proximal gastric wall, the pancreas, and the distal gastric wall were sutured sequentially to accomplish anastomosis in a U-like fashion. After 2 to 4 additional sutures were completed, the pancreatic stump was invaginated into the stomach and all sutures are tied. Mattress sutures were made on the pancreas, which was held between the superior and inferior walls of the stomach. Postoperative amylase levels in the drainage fluid decreased significantly and none of the 17 patients developed pancreatic fistula formation. The technique is simple and shortens the time required for anastomosis.     

A novel laparoscopic procedure for treating proximal early gastric cancer: laparoscopy-assisted pylorus-preserving nearly total gastrectomy

Purpose

Pylorus-preserving nearly total gastrectomy (PPNTG) is a function-preserving gastrectomy for treating proximal early gastric cancer that prevents rapid gastric emptying and reflux. In this report, we present a surgical technique for performing laparoscopy-assisted PPNTG (LAPPNTG).

Methods

The resection of the stomach was similar to that during conventional total gastrectomy, with the key difference being that the pyloric cuff was preserved to a length of 3–4 cm. Compared with standard total gastrectomy, the lymph node dissection along the right gastric vessels and the infrapyloric vessels were omitted. Reconstruction was performed with a jejunal interposition that was 30 cm in length, with preservation of the marginal vessels in a retrocolic fashion.

Results

Thirteen patients with cT1 cN0 proximal gastric cancer underwent LAPPNTG at our institution. The median length of the operation and estimated blood loss were 329 min and 138 ml, respectively. All resected specimens had tumor-free margins, and the median number of removed lymph nodes was 40. There were no serious postoperative complications and no patients underwent conversion to laparotomy.

Conclusions

Performing LAPPNTG with a jejunal interposition is feasible and might be an appropriate treatment for proximal early gastric cancer.     

Surgical options in the treatment of GIST of the upper portion of the stomach. Report of two cases

Gastrointestinal stromal tumors are rare neoplasms arising from mesenchymal precursor cells of the gastrointestinal tract that may differentiate towards the interstitial cells of Cajal, pacemaker cells regulating autonomous motility of G.I. tract. Grading of GIST has been proven to be as difficult as their classification. Two thirds of GISTs are located in the stomach, 20-50% in the small bowel (one third in the duodenum), and 5-15% in colon and rectum; GISTs, however, may rarely be found also in the oesophagus, omentum, mesentery or the retroperitoneum. The distribuition of these tumors in the stomach is: pars media, 40%; antrum, 25%; pylorus, 20%; in less than 15%, GISTs location is next to the EGJ, in the cardia and in the iundus. The upper gastric third location of GISTs is not common, so their surgical management has been not yet well investigated. Total gastrectomy is considered the therapy of choice for the GIST located next to the EGJ, but wedge resection could be considered a surgical option in selected cases. The Authors describe 2 cases of GIST located just under the upper portion of the stomach and discuss about the different surgical options for GISTs of this region.     

Radical surgical treatment of early cancer of the stomach

Results of radical surgical treatment of 86 patients with early cancer of the stomach are analyzed. Among revealed macroscopic types of early cancer of the stomach (B0), type I (elevated) was seen in 26 (31%) patients, type IIa (superficial raised) - in 8 (9%), type IIb (superficial plane) - in 7 (8%), type IIc (superficial excavated) - in 20 (23%), type III (ulcerated) - in 25 (29%) patients. Adenocarcinoma was the prevalent tumor - 84 (98%) patients, in 1 (1%) case undifferentiated cancer was revealed and in 1 (1%) - carcinoid tumor. Tumor invasion was limited by mucosa in 49 (57%) patients, in submucosa - in 37 (43%). Metastases to lymph nodes were diagnosed in 4 (5%) patients. Subtotal proximal resection performed in 6 patients, subtotal distal resection - in 60, gastrectomy - in 20 patients. Lymphadenectomy corresponded to D1 in 30 cases, to D2 - in 51, to D3 - in 5 cases. Complications after surgery were seen in 21 (24%) patients. Cancer in the gastric stump was diagnosed in 3 (4%) patients 2, 4 and 6 years after primary subtotal distal resection of the stomach with D1 lymphadenectomy. All these patients underwent extirpation of gastric stump. Radical surgery for early cancer of the stomach must include extended lymphadenectomy D2 or more.     

Esophagogastrostomy Plus Gastrojejunostomy: A Novel Reconstruction Procedure after Curative Resection for Proximal Gastric Cancer

Objective

The choice of surgical strategy for patients with proximal gastric cancer remains controversial. In this study, we recommend that a new reconstruction procedure be performed following proximal gastrectomy.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective study involving 71 patients who underwent gastrectomy for proximal gastric cancer. Clinicopathological features, postoperative complications, nutritional status, and overall survival (OS) rate were compared among three different reconstruction approaches.

Results

There were 34 cases of proximal gastrectomy followed by esophagogastrostomy reconstruction (EG), 16 cases of total gastrectomy and Roux-en Y reconstruction (RY) and 21 cases of proximal gastrectomy followed by esophagogastrostomy plus gastrojejunostomy reconstruction (EGJ). Though the clinicopathological features, the nutritional status and OS rate were similar among the three groups of patients, the incidence of reflux esophagitis was significantly higher in the EG group (35.3 %) than the RY (6.2 %) and EGJ (9.6 %) groups(P?<?0.05). Few EGJ patients suffered from either reflux esophagitis or anastomotic stenosis.

Conclusions

The EGJ reconstruction method helps to resolve the syndrome of reflux esophagitis. Our data indicates that it is a simple, safe, and effective reconstruction procedure for PGC.     

Function-Preserving Gastrectomy for Early Gastric Cancer

The number of early gastric cancer (EGC) cases has been increasing because of improved diagnostic procedures. Applications of function-preserving gastric cancer surgery may therefore also be increasing because of its low incidence of lymph node metastasis, excellent survival rates, and the possibility of less-invasive procedures such as laparoscopic gastrectomy being used in combination. Pylorus-preserving gastrectomy (PPG) with radical lymph node dissection is one such function-preserving procedure that has been applied for EGC, with the indications, limitations, and survival benefits of PPG already reported in several retrospective studies. Laparoscopy-assisted proximal gastrectomy has also been applied for EGC of the upper third of the stomach, although this procedure can be associated with the 2 major problems of reflux esophagitis and carcinoma arising in the gastric stump. In the patient with EGC in the upper third of the stomach, laparoscopy-assisted subtotal gastrectomy with a preserved very small stomach may provide a better quality of life for the patients and fewer postoperative complications. Finally, the laparoscopy endoscopy cooperative surgery procedure combines endoscopic submucosal dissection with laparoscopic gastric wall resection, which prevents excessive resection and deformation of the stomach after surgery and was recently applied for EGC cases without possibility of lymph node metastasis. Function-preserving laparoscopic gastrectomy is recommended for the treatment of EGC if the indication followed by accurate diagnosis is strictly confirmed. Preservation of remnant stomach sometimes causes severe postoperative dysfunctions such as delayed gastric retention in PPG, esophageal reflux in PG, and gastric stump carcinoma in the remnant stomach. Moreover, these techniques present technical difficulties to the surgeon. Although many retrospective studies showed the functional benefit or oncological safety of function-preserving gastrectomy, further prospective studies using large case series are necessary.     

Definition of carcinoma of the gastric cardia

Summary This study concerns the definition of carcinoma of the gastric cardia. The topography of the esophagogastric mucosal junction (mucosal EGJ) was investigated with an endoscope in 182 patients who were free of hiatal hernias, ulcers, and neoplasms in the esophagus and stomach. The relationship between the EGJ and the cardiac gland area was then examined histologically in 56 resected specimens containing intact EGJs and cardia gland areas. Furthermore the cancerous center was determined; the shortest distance between the cancerous center and the EGJ and the amount of esophageal invasion were measured in 102 resected carcinomas located close to the junction; the carcinomas contained the EGJ and were good enough for pathohistological examination. The EGJ was located 0.5–1.0 cm proximal to the His angle (the gastric cardia) in radiological and endoscopic examinations. Histologically the cardiac gland area was found to straddle the EGJ at a range of about 1 cm proximal and 2 cm distal to the junction. Among the upper stomach carcinomas, most of the tumors (87.5%) whose center was located within 2 cm from the EGJ invaded the esophagus. In conclusion, carcinoma of the gastric cardia is defined as a lesion with its center located within 1 cm proximal and 2 cm distal to the EGJ.

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Definition des Kardiacarcinoms

Zusammenfassung Diese Untersuchung befaßt sich mit der Definition von Carcinomen der Kardia. An 182 Patienten, die weder Hiatushernien, Ulcera noch Neoplasien des Oesophagus bzw. des Magens aufwiesen, wurde die Lage des Übergangs von der Oesophagus- zur Magenmucosa (esophagogastric mucosal junction, EGJ) endoskopisch untersucht. Dann wurde die Beziehung zwischen EGJ und dem Drüsengebiet der Kardia histologisch anhand von 56 Resektaten mit intaktem EGJ und Kardiadrüsenzone untersucht. Außerdem wurde an 102 resezierten Carcinomen mit Sitz in der Nähe des gastrooesophagealen Übergangs die kürzeste Ent fernung zwischen Carcinomzentrum und EGJ und das Ausmaß der Oesophagusinfiltration bestimmt; die Proben schlossen den EGJ ein und konnten pathohistologisch beurteilt werden. Bei der radiologischen und endoskopischen Untersuchung fand sind der EGJ 0,5–1,0 cm vom His-Winkel entfernt. Die histologische Untersuchung zeigte, daß die Kardiadrüsenzone sich vom EGJ etwa 1 cm nach proximal und 2 cm nach distal erstreckt. Die meisten Tumoren des oberen Magens (87,5%), deren Zentrum innerhalb von 2 cm vom EGJ entfernt lag, infiltrierten in den Oesophagus. Ein Kardiacarcinom ist demzufolge als Läsion zu definieren, deren Zentrum innerhalb von 1 cm proximal und 2 cm distal des EGJ liegt.

     

Laparoscopic gastric tailoring for huge subcardial gastrointestinal stromal tumor.

BACKGROUND: A 67-year-old woman with a gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) of the stomach presented to our outpatient clinic. Preoperative computed tomographic scans and endoscopic examination revealed a spherical submucosal tumor (7.7 x 6.1 x 6 cm) in the posterior wall of the stomach less than 1cm away from the cardia, on the small curvature side. METHODS: The tumor, which endosonographically had a volume of 282 cm(3), was completely resected by a full-thickness laparoscopic wedge excision without discontinuous gastric resection. The whole procedure was performed using 4 working ports (one 12-mm and three 5-mm ports) and 1 camera port (12 mm). Because the resection margins were tumor free on frozen sections and the distance between the resection margin and cardia was wide enough not to compromise food passage, there was no need for total gastrectomy or upper discontinuous gastric resection. The patient was discharged on the fourth postoperative day after an uneventful clinical course. RESULTS: Histological examination revealed a malignant gastrointestinal stroma tumor of the stomach. The patient was therefore enrolled for Imatinib adjuvant therapy. Careful and long-term follow-up of 21 months showed no signs of local or distant tumor recurrence. However, further follow-up is needed to monitor for signs of possible recurrence or distant metastases. CONCLUSION: The described technique prevented proximal gastric resection and a risk of anastomosis without compromising the food passage and radicality.     

Modified segmental gastrectomy combined with vagotomy for a gastric ulcer near the gastro-esophageal junction

To avoid proximal gastrectomy which destroys the gastroesophageal closing mechanism, modified segmental gastrectomy with vagotomy was performed on 3 patients with gastric ulcers located in the stomach near the gastro-esophageal junction. These were all patients in whom a proximal gastrectomy would usually have been performed. The proximal line of resection did not encroach upon the mucosal rosette being within 1 cm of it following the margin of the ulcer. In each patient, the modified segmental resection of the upper stomach consisted of the surgical removal of a continuous strip of tissue including the ulcer and ulcer-bearing area along the wall followed by an end to end gastro-gastrostomy. In the 10 years following surgery, there have been no signs of reflux esophagitis, stricture, or recurrent ulcers in any of the 3 patients. This modified segmental gastrectomy with vagotomy is therefore recommended for gastric ulcers located near the gastro-esophageal junction.