Proximal Early Gastric Cancer Research Articles

Comparison of surgical outcomes and postoperative nutritional parameters between subtotal and proximal gastrectomy in patients with proximal early gastric cancer

Comparison of surgical outcomes and postoperative nutritional parameters between subtotal and proximal gastrectomy in patients with proximal early gastric cancer

Comparing the antireflux effect of laparoscopic proximal gastrectomy with double-flap technique reconstruction versus laparoscopic total gastrectomy with Roux-en-Y reconstruction for proximal early gastric cancer: study protocol for a multicentre, prospective, open-label, randomised controlled trial

IntroductionLaparoscopic proximal gastrectomy with double flap technique (LPG-DFT) reconstruction has been used for proximal early gastric cancer in recent years. However, its feasibility and safety remain uncertain, as only a...

Secure Robotic Transthoracic Valvuloplastic Esophagogastrostomy by Double Flap Technique in Esophagogastric Junctional Cancer Surgery.

Valvuloplastic esophagogastrostomy by the double flap technique (VPEG-DFT) after proximal gastrectomy for early proximal gastric cancer or esophagogastric junctional cancer (EGJC) is a promising procedure to prevent reflux. However, the transhiatal procedure alone for alimentary reconstruction is sometimes too complex because of the short esophageal remnant. Therefore, additional transthoracic procedures are needed in some patients with EGJC. Although additional thoracoscopic surgery has been reported, no reports to date have described robotic transthoracic VPEG-DFT after excision of EGJC. We herein describe the secure robotic techniques of transthoracic VPEG-DFT performed in 3 patients with EGJC. After completion of the abdominal procedures by robotic and extracorporeal creation of H-shaped flaps on the gastric remnant, robotic VPEG-DFT through the right thoracic approach was performed in the prone position. To accomplish VPEG-DFT in the thorax of patients in the prone position, fixation of the esophagus and stomach was performed before the rotation of the 2 organs to expose the planned anastomotic aspect. In addition, the final abdominal phase was required again to prevent a postoperative hiatal hernia. Secure techniques of right transthoracic VPEG-DFT by robotic surgery could contribute to the successful treatment of EGJC when the remnant esophagus is too short.

Laparoscopic Function-Preserving Gastrectomy for Proximal Gastric Cancer or Esophagogastric Junction Cancer: A Narrative Review.

Function-preserving procedures to maintain postoperative quality of life are an important aspect of treatment for early gastric cancer. Laparoscopic proximal gastrectomy (LPG) and laparoscopic distal gastrectomy with a small remnant stomach, namely laparoscopic subtotal gastrectomy (LsTG), are alternative function-preserving procedures for laparoscopic total gastrectomy of early proximal gastric cancer. In LPG, esophagogastrostomy with techniques to prevent reflux and double-tract and jejunal interposition including esophagojejunostomy is usually chosen for reconstruction. The double-flap technique is currently a preferred reconstruction technique in Japan as an esophagogastrostomy approach to prevent reflux esophagitis. However, standardized reconstruction methods after LPG have not yet been established. In LsTG, preservation of the esophagogastric junction and the fundus prevents reflux and malnutrition, which may maintain quality of life. However, whether LsTG is an oncologically and nutritionally acceptable procedure compared with laparoscopic total gastrectomy or LPG is a concern. In this review, we summarize the status of reconstruction in LPG and the oncological and nutritional aspects of LsTG as a function-preserving gastrectomy for early proximal gastric or esophagogastric junction cancer.

Feasibility of laparoscopic proximal gastrectomy with piggyback jejunal interposition double-tract reconstruction for proximal gastric cancer: A propensity score-matching analysis.

The feasibility of using laparoscopic proximal gastrectomy (LPG) for the treatment of proximal early gastric cancer (EGC) has not been addressed. This study aimed to comparatively evaluate the effects on LPG with piggyback jejunal interposition double-tract reconstruction (PJIDTR) versus laparoscopic total gastrectomy (LTG) with Roux-en-Y reconstruction (overlap method) using propensity score matching for proximal EGC. We examined the clinical outcomes of LPG with PJIDTR for proximal EGC. We retrospectively collected data from patients with proximal EGC who were treated at Shanxi Cancer Hospital between January 2012 and December 2015. The complication rate, nutritional indicators, reflux oesophagitis incidence and overall survival were compared between LTG and LPG with PJIDTR. Of the 424 patients, 200 were excluded, and 50 of the remaining patients received LPG with PJIDTR. Fifty matched LTG patients were screened. The incidence of early complications was 14% in the LPG group and 16% in the LTG group (P > 0.05). At 1 year after surgery, nutrition indices in the LPG group were significantly better than those in the LTG group (P < 0.05). One year after surgery, the Visick score II rate was 2% and 4%, and the endoscopic oesophagitis rate was 4% and 6% in the LPG and LTG groups, respectively. No tumour recurrence was observed in either group. The 5-year overall survival rates of the two groups were 98% and 90% (P = 0.08). LPG with PJIDTR may be suitable for proximal EGC.

Laparoscopic Proximal Gastrectomy with Novel Valvuloplastic Esophagogastrostomy vs. Laparoscopic Total Gastrectomy for Stage I Gastric Cancer: a Propensity Score Matching Analysis

BackgroundLaparoscopic total gastrectomy for early proximal gastric cancer is widely performed. Recently, the number of laparoscopic proximal gastrectomies performed, a surgery limited to early proximal gastric cancer, has gradually increased. However, evidence for the long-term outcomes of laparoscopic total gastrectomy and laparoscopic proximal gastrectomy is insufficient. Therefore, this study aimed to clarify and compare the long-term outcomes of laparoscopic total gastrectomy and laparoscopic proximal gastrectomy with novel valvuloplastic esophagogastrostomy for treatment of clinical stage I proximal gastric cancer. MethodsThis study included 111 patients who underwent laparoscopic total gastrectomy or laparoscopic proximal gastrectomy for the treatment of upper third clinical stage I gastric cancer between April 2004 and December 2017. After adjusting for propensity score matching analysis, we compared the postoperative complications, nutritional status, and long-term outcomes between the two groups. ResultsAfter matching the inclusion criteria, 56 patients (28 in each group) were enrolled. No significant differences were noted in the postoperative complications between the two groups. While laparoscopic proximal gastrectomy was associated with lower albumin levels, lower body weight loss was seen by 1 year after surgery and higher hemoglobin levels by 1, 2, and 3 years after surgery. No significant differences were observed in the 3-year overall survival and 3-year recurrence-free survival between the laparoscopic total gastrectomy and laparoscopic proximal gastrectomy groups (P = 0.74 and 0.72, respectively). ConclusionLaparoscopic proximal gastrectomy and laparoscopic total gastrectomy for patients with upper third clinical stage I gastric cancer are feasible as regards its safety and outcomes.

Protocol for Comparing the Efficacy of Three Reconstruction Methods of the Digestive Tract (Kamikawa Versus Double-Tract Reconstruction Versus Tube-Like Stomach) After Proximal Gastrectomy.

BackgroundAppropriate gastrointestinal reconstruction after proximal gastrectomy can effectively reduce the incidence of postoperative complications in patients with proximal early gastric cancer. However, there is still great controversy about the choice of digestive tract reconstruction after proximal gastrectomy, and there is no clinical consensus on the choice of digestive tract reconstruction after proximal gastrectomy. Currently, there is a lack of large-sample, prospective, randomized controlled studies to compare the efficacy of Kamikawa, double-tract reconstruction, and tube-like stomach reconstruction after proximal gastrectomy.Methods/designThis study will investigate the efficacy of three reconstruction methods after proximal gastrectomy in a prospective, multicenter, randomized controlled trial, which will enroll 180 patients with proximal early gastric cancer. Patients will be randomly divided into three groups: Group A (Kamikawa, n = 60), Group B (double-tract reconstruction, n = 60), and Group C (tube-like stomach, n = 60). The general information, past medical history, laboratory findings, imaging findings, and surgical procedures of the patients will be recorded and analyzed. The incidence of reflux esophagitis will be recorded as the primary endpoint. The incidence of anastomotic leakage, anastomotic stenosis, operative time and intraoperative blood loss will be recorded as secondary endpoints.DiscussionThis study will establish a large-sample, prospective, randomized controlled trial to compare the efficacy of Kamikawa, double-tract reconstruction, and tube-like stomach reconstruction after proximal gastrectomy.Trial registrationThis study was approved by the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry and registered on April 30, 2021. The registration number is ChiCTR2100045975.

Effect of Double-Channel Anastomosis and Esophagojejunal Anastomosis on Postoperative Recovery and Complications of Laparoscopic D2 Radical Gastrectomy for Gastric Cancer.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of double-channel anastomosis versus esophagojejunostomy on postoperative recovery and complications after laparoscopic D2 radical gastrectomy for early proximal gastric cancer. The cases were collected from 100 patients with early proximal gastric cancer admitted to our hospital from January 2017 to January 2021. According to different surgical methods, they were divided into control group (total gastrectomy + esophagojejunal anastomosis) and experimental group (D2 radical resection + double-channel anastomosis). The two groups were compared in terms of clinical outcomes (operative time, intraoperative blood loss, number of lymph nodes dissected, digestive tract anastomosis time, postoperative exhaust, and hospitalization days), postoperative complications, and nutritional status; the expression of T lymphocyte subsets in peripheral blood of the two groups was detected to reflect the recovery of immune ability. There was no significant difference between the observation group and the control group in clinical operation effect indexes (P < 0.05). The incidence of complications of dumping syndrome and reflux esophagitis in the observation group was significantly lower than that in the control group (P < 0.05). In terms of postoperative nutritional status, the ratio of plasma albumin level and body weight restored to operation at 12 and 24 weeks after operation in the observation group was significantly higher than that in the control group (P < 0.05). 3 months after the operation, the levels of CD3 +, CD4 + cell subsets, and CD4+/CD8+ index reflecting the recovery of immune ability in the observation group were significantly higher than those in the observation group (P < 0.05). The application of double-channel anastomosis in laparoscopic D2 radical gastrectomy for early proximal gastric cancer has a better effect on reducing complications and promoting postoperative recovery, which is of great application value.

Laparoscopic proximal gastrectomy and lymph node resection in adenocarcinoma of the esophagogastric junction

The proportion of adenocarcinoma of the esophagogastric junction (AEG) in gastric cancer is gradually increasing. Due to the unique anatomical structure and biological characteristics of the tumor at this site, AEG has a certain degree of complexity in many aspects of diagnosis and treatment, which brings difficulties to the operation method, the selection of the resection range, the lymph node dissection and the treatment decision-making. Therefore, AEG has always been the focus of academic debate. With the development of minimally invasive surgery in recent years, laparoscopic technology has been increasingly mature and widely used in the treatment of gastrointestinal tumors. Compared with distal gastric cancer, the minimally invasive treatment of AEG is in a lagging state, and there are also a series of problems that have not yet reached a consensus. This article reviews and summarizes the recent research progress in two aspects: proximal gastrectomy for AEG and lymph node dissection. Laparoscopic-assisted proximal gastrectomy is safe for early proximal gastric cancer and has a long-term survival outcome not inferior to total gastrectomy, but the surgical indications must be strictly selected. Abdominal lymph node metastasis of AEG is mainly in group 1, 2, 3, and 7, and mediastinal lymph node metastasis is closely related to the length of the infiltrated esophagus. The abdominal transhiatal (TH) approach can obtain a sufficient number of harvested lymph node, and has good safety and efficacy, which is the first-choice of surgical approach for early AEG. The results of the CLASS-10 clinical trial can provide a higher level of evidence for laparoscopic mediastinal lymph node dissection. Laparoscopic surgery for AEG should be carried out in experienced medical center based on clinical research.

Scoring Model Based on Nodal Metastasis Prediction Suggesting an Alternative Treatment to Total Gastrectomy in Proximal Early Gastric Cancer.

PurposeTotal gastrectomy (TG) with lymph node (LN) dissection is recommended for early gastric cancer (EGC) but is not indicated for endoscopic resection (ER). We aimed to identify patients who could avoid TG by establishing a scoring system for predicting lymph node metastasis (LNM) in proximal EGCs.Materials and MethodsBetween January 2003 and December 2017, a total of 1,025 proximal EGC patients who underwent TG with LN dissection were enrolled. Patients who met the absolute ER criteria based on pathological examination were excluded. The pathological risk factors for LNM were determined using univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses. A scoring system for predicting LNM was developed and applied to the validation group.ResultsOf the 1,025 cases, 100 (9.8%) showed positive LNM. Multivariate analysis confirmed the following independent risk factors for LNM: tumor size >2 cm, submucosal invasion, lymphovascular invasion (LVI), and perineural invasion (PNI). A scoring system was created using the four aforementioned variables, and the areas under the receiver operating characteristic curves in both the training (0.85) and validation (0.84) groups indicated excellent discrimination. The probability of LNM in mucosal cancers without LVI or PNI, regardless of size, was <2.9%.ConclusionsOur scoring system involving four variables can predict the probability of LNM in proximal EGC and might be helpful in determining additional treatment plans after ER, functioning as a good indicator of the adequacy of treatments other than TG in high surgical risk patients.

Indication of Proximal Gastrectomy for Advanced Proximal Gastric Cancer Based on Lymph Node Metastasis at the Distal Part of the Stomach.

To suggest the possible indication of proximal gastrectomy for advanced gastric cancer located at the upper third of the stomach. Proximal gastrectomy has been an alternative surgical procedure for early proximal gastric cancer due to its benefits for quality of life while maintaining oncological outcomes. However, the oncological safety of proximal gastrectomy for advanced tumors remains unclear. We retrospectively reviewed data from 878 patients who underwent radical total gastrectomy from 2003 to 2018 for pathologic T2-T4 gastric cancer in the upper third of the stomach. We identified risk factors for lymph node metastasis at the distal part of the stomach, which was not dissected in proximal gastrectomy. Subsequently, we evaluated the metastasis rate and therapeutic value index of lymph nodes at the distal part of the stomach in patients with none of these risk factors. Multivariable analysis revealed that esophagogastric junction (EGJ)-tumor epicenter distance >30 mm, tumor size >70 mm, macroscopic type IV tumor, and serosal invasion were risk factors for lymph node metastasis at the distal stomach. In patients without risk factors, the therapeutic value index for any lymph nodes at the distal stomach was 0.8, suggesting that lymph node dissection could be omitted in these patients. EGJ-tumor epicenter distance ≤ 30 mm, tumor size ≤ 70 mm, not a macroscopic type IV tumor, and no serosal invasion could be an indication of proximal gastrectomy for advanced gastric cancer located at the upper third of the stomach.

Proximal gastrectomy with double-tract reconstruction versus total gastrectomy for proximal early gastric cancer: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background:The incidence of proximal gastric cancer in the gastric fundus, cardia, and other parts is increasing rapidly. The purpose of this study was to systematically compare the short-term and long-term clinical effects of proximal gastrectomy with double tract reconstruction (PG-DTR) to total gastrectomy (TG) for proximal early gastric cancer (EGC).Methods:A systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted through searching the literature in PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, EMBASE, CNKI, WAN FANG, and VIP databases. All clinical controlled trials and randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of PG-DTR and PG were included. Simultaneously, the relevant data were extracted, and the software RevMan version 5.1 was used for the meta-analysis.Results:Eight studies with a total of 753 patients were eligible for the meta-analysis. There were no significant differences in the operation time, intraoperative blood loss, postoperative hospital stay, early complications (anastomotic fistula and anastomotic bleeding), late complications (reflux symptoms and anastomotic stenosis), and 5-year survival rate between PG-DTR and TG. However, the levels of partial nutritional indicators (vitamin B12 supplements and vitamin B12 deficiency) were significantly higher in the PG-DTR group than in the TG group.Conclusion:This study showed ample evidence to suggest that PG-DTR improved the postoperative nutritional status without compromising patient safety while providing the same surgical characteristics and postoperative morbidity as TG.

A novel method for π-shaped esophagojejunostomy and double-tract reconstruction (DTR) as an alternative in totally laparoscopic or robotic proximal gastrectomy for treating upper third proximal early gastric cancer.

This study evaluated the impact of a new intracorporeal π-shaped esophagojejunostomy (EJS) and double-tract reconstruction (DTR) in totally laparoscopic and totally robotic proximal gastrectomy (TLPG or TRPG) for treating upper third early gastric cancer (U-EGC) in terms of intraoperative and short-term postoperative outcomes. Early proximal gastric cancer patients were identified based on a prospectively established database. From January 2017 to December 2018, these patients underwent intracorporeal π-shaped EJS and DTR after totally laparoscopic (n = 8) or robotic (n = 4) proximal gastrectomy (PG). We recorded and analyzed the baseline characteristics and surgical outcomes, including postoperative complications for these patients. No severe postoperative complications were observed following the operational procedures. Twelve patients (seven male and five female) diagnosed with cardia cancer (Siewert II and III) were enrolled, of which eight underwent the totally laparoscopic proximal gastrectomy (TLPG), and four underwent the totally robotic proximal gastrectomy (TRPG). The mean operative time, blood loss, day of the start of the diet, and postoperative hospital stay was 235.54 ± 20.79min, 50.65 ± 35.44mL, 3.85 ± 0.65days, and 12.45 ± 3.24days, respectively. All patients presented with a diagnosis of stage I gastric cancer. The mean number of lymph node dissections and the maximum tumor diameter was 13.91 ± 4.63 and 2.18 ± 0.73cm, respectively. After the operational procedure, using the iodoethylene contrast reagent, we observed that a large proportion of iodoethylene contrast agents entered the jejunum directly, and a small proportion entered the jejunum through the duodenum. Surgeons followed up with ten patients for more than 12months and the remaining two patients for more than 24months. None of the patients showed any signs of anastomotic stenosis or reflux esophagitis or anemia symptoms. This study presents a novel method for π-shaped EJS and DTR as an alternative in TLPG or TRPG for treating proximal early gastric cancer, and it offers better short-term postoperative and intraoperative surgical outcomes.

Short-term and long-term comparisons of laparoscopy-assisted proximal gastrectomy with esophagogastrostomy by the double-flap technique and laparoscopy-assisted total gastrectomy for proximal gastric cancer.

BackgroundAlthough proximal gastrectomy (PG) is a recognized surgical procedure for early proximal gastric cancer, total gastrectomy (TG) is sometimes selected due to concern about severe gastroesophageal reflux. Esophagogastrostomy by the double-flap technique (DFT) is an anti-reflux reconstruction after PG, and its short-term effectiveness has been reported. However, little is known about the long-term effects on nutritional status and quality of life (QOL).MethodsGastric cancer patients who underwent laparoscopy-assisted PG (LAPG) with DFT or laparoscopy-assisted TG (LATG) between April 2011 and March 2014 were retrospectively analyzed. Body weight (BW), body mass index (BMI), and prognostic nutritional index (PNI) were reviewed to assess nutritional status, and the Postgastrectomy Syndrome Assessment Scale (PGSAS)-45 was used to assess QOL.ResultsA total of 36 patients (LATG: 17, LAPG: 19) were enrolled. Four of 17 LATG patients (24%) were diagnosed with Stage ≥II after surgery, and half received S-1 adjuvant chemotherapy. BW and PNI were better maintained in LAPG than in LATG patients until 1-year follow-up. Seven of 16 LATG patients (44%) were categorized as “underweight (BMI<18.5 kg/m2)” at 1-year follow-up, compared to three of 18 LAPG patients (17%; p = 0.0836). The PGSAS-45 showed no significant difference in all QOL categories except for decreased BW (p = 0.0132). Multivariate analysis showed that LATG was the only potential risk factor for severe BW loss (odds ratio: 3.03, p = 0.0722).ConclusionsLAPG with DFT was superior to LATG in postoperative nutritional maintenance, and can be the first option for early proximal gastric cancer.

Laparoscopic Proximal Gastrectomy with Jejunal Interposition for Early Proximal Gastric Cancer.

Proximal gastrectomy has been more advantageous than total gastrectomy in early cancer in the upper third of the stomach. Jejunal interposition is a novel reconstruction technique to prevent reflux esophagitis and anastomotic stricture in proximal gastrectomy. The combination of these two procedures via laparoscopic approach is not yet widespread. Therefore, this study is to evaluate the feasibility and safety of this surgery. This is a retrospective study on eight patients with laparoscopic proximal gastrectomy and jejunal interposition for early proximal gastric cancer. Patients were followed up at 1, 3, and 6months and then at 6-month intervals to investigate complications, recurrence, metastasis, and survival. All cases were adenocarcinoma in the early stage (cT1N0M0). The median (range) operating time and postoperative hospital stay were 145min (120-210) and 7days (6-9), respectively. No complication (including reflux esophagitis and anastomotic stricture) occurred. All patients were alive without any recurrence or metastasis during the median follow-up of 28months (ranged 6-40months). Laparoscopic proximal gastrectomy with jejunal interposition for early gastric cancer is safe and feasible with good long-term outcomes. Further large studies are required to evaluate the safety and efficacy of this procedure.

A meta-analysis of comparison of proximal gastrectomy with double-tract reconstruction and total gastrectomy for proximal early gastric cancer

BackgroundIn theory, proximal gastrectomy with double-tract reconstruction (PG-DT) was superior to total gastrectomy (TG) in hematologic and nutritional outcomes. However, its clinical effects in proximal early gastric cancer (EGC) have been controversial.MethodsThe purpose of this study was to investigate the outcomes of laparoscopic proximal gastrectomy with double-tract reconstruction (LPG-DT) for proximal EGC. For this systematic review and meta-analysis, we searched for articles published before December of 2018 in the following databases: PubMed, Web of Science, EBSCO, Medline, and Cochrane Library.ResultsThe results showed no significant difference in the anastomotic stenosis (OR = 0.91, 95%CI = 0.33–2.50, p = 0.85) and reflux esophagitis (OR = 1.87, 95%CI = 0.62–5.65, p = 0.27) between LPG-DT and laparoscopic total gastrectomy (LTG). The vitamin B12 supplementation rate in the LPG-DT group was lower than the LTG group (OR = 0.06, 95%Cl = 0.01–0.59, p = 0.02).ConclusionsDue to comparable clinical effect, PG-DT is comparable to TG for patients with proximal EGC. In addition, LPG-DT not only appears superior to TG in terms of preventing vitamin B12 deficiency, but also does not increase the risk of anastomotic stricture and reflux esophagitis.

Impact of double-flap technique for reconstruction after proximal gastrectomy.

134 Background: Proximal gastrectomy (PG) has been performed for proximal early gastric cancer as a minimally invasive procedure. In PG, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) becomes problem, thus several techniques have been reported to reduce GERD. So far, we have mainly performed the method of anastomosis based on double stapling technique (DST) using a trans-oral anvil delivery system for reconstruction after PG. For preventing GERD, we recently introduced double-flap technique (DFT) reported to be more physiological anti-reflux reconstruction which can prevent GERD. So, this study shows superiority of DFT compared to DST. Methods: Patients who have undergone PG for proximal gastric cancer during Jan. 2012 to Jul. 2017 in our hospital were reviewed as candidates. Operation time, blood loss, postoperative anastomotic complication, postoperative hospital stay, postoperative reflux symptom or endoscopic findings, intake of proton pump inhibitor (PPI) at 1 year after the operation, and postoperative nutritional status were retrospectively investigated. Results: DFT was performed in 26 patients whereas DST was performed in 38 patients. Average operation time and postoperative hospital stay was not significant in both groups (DFT group; 275.8±41.4 minutes, 13.6±8.9 days, DST group; 252.2±82.9 minutes, 15.2±7.2 days, respectively). As for postoperative complications higher than Clavien-Dindo Grade III, one case of suture failure was observed in DFT group. Postoperative reflux symptoms and endoscopic findings of gastroesophageal reflux were significantly frequent in DST group compared to DFT group (Reflux symptoms, DFT group : DST group = 0 : 7(p = 0.03), Endoscopic findings, DFT group : DST group = 1 : 11(p &lt; 0.01) , respectively). There were significantly more cases of PPI taking one year after the operation in DST group(DFT group : DST group = 8 : 28 (p &lt; 0.01) ). Average weight loss at one year after the operation and serum level of albumin of in DFT group were 6.0±4.7kg and 4.11±0.29 g/dL, respectively and DST group were 7.6±5.3kg and 3.95±0.39 g/dL, respectively and there were no significance between two groups. Conclusions: DFT is superior to DST as a reconstruction method after PG in terms of suppressing GERD.

Multicenter prospective randomized controlled trial of comparing laparoscopic proximal gastrectomy and laparoscopic total gastrectomy for upper third early gastric cancer (KLASS-05).

TPS184 Background: Proximal gastrectomy (PG) is rarely performed for upper third early gastric cancer (EGC) because of postoperative reflux esophagitis. Recently, PG with double tract reconstruction was introduced and reported to have a reflux of approximately the same frequency as total gastrectomy (TG) with esophagojejunostomy. PG has several theoretical advantages over TG but has not yet been proven in randomized controlled trial. This study aimed to provide scientific evidence of laparoscopic PG with double tract reconstruction as a standard procedure for proximal EGC. Methods: The present trial is multicenter, prospective, randomized, controlled trial with superiority design. A total of 138 patients with upper third cT1N0M0 gastric adenocarcinoma are randomized to laparoscopic PG with double tract reconstruction and laparoscopic TG with esophagojejunostomy. Patients are enrolled for two years and followed up for two years. Primary co-endpoints are hemoglobin change and vitamin B12 cumulative supplement quantity after 2 years of operation. We used the alpha-split method to set the hemoglobin to 4% and vitamin B12 to 1% for alpha. The sample size needed was 62 patients for each arm. Accounting for 10% follow-up loss, the enrollment of 69 patients in each group was required. Secondary endpoints are prevalence rate of postoperative reflux esophagitis, morbidity and mortality, quality of life 2-year after operations, relapse-free survival, and overall survival. Nineteen investigators from 10 institutes participated in this trial. The first patient was enrolled on October 27, 2016 and we completed the patient enrollment on September 17, 2018. Clinical trial information: NCT02892643.

Metastatic patterns and surgical methods for lymph nodes No. 5 and No. 6 in proximal gastric cancer.

ObjectiveThe current surgical treatment guidelines for early proximal gastric cancer (PGC) still lack agreement. Lymphadenectomy of lymph nodes No. 5 and No. 6 is the major difference between total and proximal gastrectomy. We elucidated the appropriate surgical procedure for PGC by investigating the pathological characteristics and prognostic significance of lymph nodes No. 5 and No. 6.MethodsIn total, 333 PGC patients who underwent total gastrectomy were enrolled in this study. We investigated their clinicopathological characteristics and the metastatic patterns of the lymph nodes. Patients with metastasis in lymph nodes No. 5 and No. 6 were combined into one group and we compared the difference in survival between those with and without metastasis in lymph nodes No. 5, 6 (lymph nodes No. 5 and No. 6 in any group of metastasis) for different subgroups.ResultsThe metastatic rates for lymph nodes No. 5 and No. 6 in PGC were 9.91% and 16.11%, respectively. The metastatic rate for both lymph nodes No. 5, 6 was 20.42%. Multivariate analysis showed that positive metastasis in lymph node No. 4, depth of invasion, and tumor size were independently correlated with the presence of metastasis in lymph nodes No. 5, 6.ConclusionsWhen lymph node No. 4 is positive (intraoperative pathology) or tumor size ≥5 cm or T4 stage, lymphadenectomy should be performed for lymph nodes No. 5 and No. 6, and total gastrectomy is recommended.

Outcomes of laparoscopic proximal gastrectomy with jejunal interposition for proximal early gastric cancer

Abstract Introduction: Proximal gastrectomy is one of the modified surgical approaches for early gastric cancer located in the upper stomach instead of total gastrectomy. The preserving stomach helps for storage, digestion, and absorption of food and prevents anemia. Proximal gastrectomy with jejunal interinterposition has been reported to prevent and diminuate postoperative complications, such as reflux esophagitis and anastomotic stricture. Laparoscopic proximal gastrectomy (LPG) with jejunal interposition has been reported in the world with promising results. Aim of this study is to evaluate the feasibility and results of LPG with jejunal interposition for proximal early gastric cancer. Material and Methods: Descriptive prospective study ofconsecutive cases of laparoscopic proximal gastrectomy for early gastric cancer located in the upper stomach was conducted at Department of Digestive Surgery of Cho Ray hospital from 1/2015 to 6/2018, . Results: Of 8 cases of LPG for early gastric cancer located in the upper stomach was enrolled. Patients mean age was 55,5. Male/female ratio was 3/1. Tumor located at cardia in 7 cases and in fundus in 1 case. All the tumors were adenocarcinoma at cT1N0M0 stage. Mean operative time was 150 minutes. There was no intraoperative accident. Mean harvested lymph nodes were 5. There was no lymph node metastasis. No morbidity was noted. Mean postoperative hospital stay was 7 days. All patients tolerated well with food and have no regurgitation. With mean follow-up period of 28 months, there was no recurrence and mortality. Conclusion: Our initial case series demonstrated that LPG with jejunal interposition is a feasible, safe procedure and offering good functional and oncological outcomes. Futher follow-up time and more data should be needed to evaluate the effectiveness of this operation.