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

Abstract

ObjectiveThe 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. MethodsWe 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. ResultsThere 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. ConclusionsThe 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.