Transgastric endoluminal gastrojejunostomy: technical development from bench to animal study (with video).
BACKGROUND
Gastrojejunal anastomosis is commonly performed for palliative management of malignant gastric outlet obstruction and bariatric surgery. Natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery revolutionized the surgical approach to intra-abdominal surgery. This study explored the possibility of performing gastrojejunostomy (GJ) by using a hybrid natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery approach.


OBJECTIVE
To develop a surgical technique for the performance of transgastric endoscopic GJ (TGEJ) in a porcine model.


METHODS
Prospective series of animal experiments.


METHODS
University hospital animal laboratory.


METHODS
Thirteen female domestic pigs.


METHODS
With the animals under general anesthesia, the endoscope is passed through the gastrotomy and a segment of small bowel is retrieved into the stomach. An enterotomy is then created, and an EndoGIA stapler is introduced through an intragastric port and passed between the small bowel and stomach wall. A GJ is formed after firing of the EndoGIA stapler. The pigs are allowed to resume their diet 1 day after the operation and are allowed to survive for 2 weeks before they are euthanized. The patency of the GJ is confirmed with a repeat endoscopy, contrast study, and postmortem examination.


RESULTS
A total of 13 TEGJs were performed, 11 of which were successful. The mean operative time was 53.6 +/- 45.7 minutes. The mean time for gastrotomy was 4.7 minutes, and that for GJ was 42.5 minutes. One TEGJ was converted to open surgery because of malpositioning of the intragastric port, and the other failed because the enterotomy was too extensive. Ten of 11 pigs survived for 2 weeks, and endoscopic examination with contrast study confirmed that all the gastrojejunostomies were patent. On postmortem examination, the average size of the GJ was 30 mm.


CONCLUSIONS
The length between duodenojejunal flexure and the site chosen to perform the GJ could not be determined.


CONCLUSIONS
TEGJ is technically feasible with a patent and sizable anastomosis.
Chiu
Philip Wai Yan
PW
Department of Surgery, Institute of Digestive Disease, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin NT, People's Republic of China.
Wai Ng
Enders Kwok
EK
Teoh
Anthony Yun Bun
AY
Lam
Candice Chuen Hing
CC
Lau
James Yun Wong
JY
Sung
Joseph Jao Yiu
JJ
D000818:Animals; D050110:Bariatric Surgery / Q000379:methods; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D005260:Female; D015390:Gastric Bypass / Q000379:methods*; D017219:Gastric Outlet Obstruction / Q000601:surgery; D005773:Gastroscopy / Q000379:methods*; D019060:Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods; D009767:Obesity, Morbid / Q000601:surgery; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D017792:Surgical Stapling; D034421:Sus scrofa; D014741:Video Recording