Influences of three types of digestive tract reconstruction on quality of life after total gastrectomy

Abstract

Objective To compare the short-term quality of life after total gastrectomy in patients with gastric cancer with three recontructive methods of stamoch storage function. Methods Totally 62 cases underwent jejunal interposition afar total gastrectomy from March 2000 to December 2007. Patients were divided into three groups according to the procedures: functional jejunal interposition (FJI-type) group ( n = 23 ), modified jejunal interposition ( Ⅲ -type) group ( n = 20), and P-type jejunal interposition (P-type) group (n = 19). In each group,the patients' general conditions, the nutritional status at month 3 and 12, and gastrointestinal symptoms were evaluated. Results The durations of procedures were significantly different among three groups (P ＜0. 01 ). The intraoperative bleeding volume, postoperative complications, and food intake of each meal at month 3 were not significantly different ( P ＞ 0. 05 ). Compared with the data at month 3, the levels of hemoglobin and serum calcium at month 12 were significantly higher in all three groups (P ＜ 0. 01 ). Compared to the level at month 3, the level of serum albumin at month 12 significantly increased in FJI-type group (P ＜ 0. 05 ) but showed not significant difference in Ⅲ-type group and P-type group ( P ＞ 0. 05 ). The incidence of reflux esophagitis in three groups and the comparative parameters among the three groups at month 12 were not significantly different ( P ＞ 0. 05 ). Conclusions The jejunal interpositions after total gastrectomy will not increase the complexity and risk of the surgical procedure. In fact, they can reduce the reflux esophagitis and improve quality of life by keeping the storage function and restoring food passage through the duodenum. FJI-type is simpler than the other two types, and P-type is preferred for operations that need to open the pectoral cavity. Key words: Gastric cancer; Total gastrectomy; Digestive tract reconstruction; Quality of life