Long-term outcomes of postgastrectomy syndrome after total laparoscopic distal gastrectomy using the augmented rectangle technique

BACKGROUND For total laparoscopic distal gastrectomies for gastric cancer,the reconstruction method is critical to the clinical outcome of the procedure.However,which reconstruction technique is optimal remains controversial.We originally reported the augmented rectangle technique(ART)as a reconstruction option for total laparoscopic Billroth I reconstructions.Still,little is known about its effect on long-term outcomes,specifically the incidence of postgastrectomy syndrome and its impact on quality of life.AIM To analyze postgastrectomy syndrome and quality of life after ART using the Postgastrectomy Syndrome Assessment Scale-37(PGSAS-37)questionnaire.METHODS At Juntendo University,a total of 94 patients who underwent ART for Billroth I reconstruction with total laparoscopic distal gastrectomies for gastric cancer between July 2016 and March 2020 completed the PGSAS-37 questionnaire.Multidimensional analysis was performed,comparing those 94 ART cases from our institution(ART group)to 909 distal gastrectomy cases with a Billroth I reconstruction from other Japanese institutions who also completed the PGSAS-37 as part of a larger national database(PGSAS group).RESULTS Patients in the ART group had significantly better total symptom scores in all the symptom subscales(i.e.,esophageal reflux,abdominal pain,meal-related distress,indigestion,diarrhea,constipation,and dumping).The loss of body weight was marginally greater for those in the ART group than in the PGSAS group(-9.3%vs-7.9%,P=0.054).The ART group scored significantly lower in their dissatisfaction of ongoing symptoms,during meals,and with daily life.CONCLUSION ART for Billroth I reconstruction provided beneficial long-term results for postgastrectomy syndrome and quality of life in patients undergoing total laparoscopic distal gastrectomies for gastric cancer.

Laparoscopic gastric surgery for cancer: Where do we stand?

Gastric cancer poses a significant public health problem, especially in the Far East, due to its high incidence in these areas. Surgical treatment and guidelines have been markedly different in the West, but nowadays this debate is apparently coming to an end. Laparoscopic surgery has been employed in the surgical treatment of gastric cancer for two decades now, but with controversies about the extent of resection and lymphadenectomy. Despite these difficulties, the apparent advantages of the laparoscopic approach helped its implementation in early stage and distal gastric cancer, with an increase on the uptake for distal gastrectomy for more advanced disease and total gastrectomy. Nevertheless, there is no conclusive evidence about the laparoscopic approach yet. In this review article we present and analyse the current status of laparoscopic surgery in the treatment of gastric cancer.

Laparoscopy-assisted D2 radical distal gastrectomy for advanced gastric cancer： initial experience

Background Laparoscopy-assisted radical gastrectomy is gaining acceptance for treating early gastric cancer. However, few reports concerning the effectiveness of laparoscopy-assisted D2 radical distal gastrectomy （LADG） for advanced gastric cancer or data comparing the results obtained after open distal gastrectomy （ODG） are yet available. The aim of this study was to evaluate the method, feasibility and clinical result of LADG for advanced gastric cancer. Methods A retrospective study was performed comparing LADG and ODG for advanced gastric cancer. Seventy-eight patients who underwent LADG were compared with 90 patients who underwent ODG in terms of pathologic findings, operative outcome, and complications. Results There was no conversion to open surgery in the LADG group and no postoperative mortality of any patients. There were no significant differences between LADG and ODG in operative time （（245±35） vs （220±620） minutes）, complication rate （7.7% vs 10.0%）, and number of lymph nodes （23.5±6.0 vs 21.0±7.5）, while the blood loss was less after LADG （（110±25） vs （196±30） ml, P 〈0.05）. The time to postoperative flatus and postoperative hospital stay were shorter after LADG （（73.0±8.5） vs （102.0±10.5） hours, and （8.6±1.2） vs （12.1 ±2.5） days, P 〈0.05, respectively）. Conclusion LADG for advanced gastric cancer is feasible, safe, and minimally invasive.