Technique and outcomes of laparoscopic-combined linear stapler and hand-sutured side-to-side esophagojejunostomy with Roux-en-Y reconstruction as a treatment modality in patients undergoing proximal gastrectomy for benign and malignant disease of the gastroesophageal junction.
BACKGROUND
Circular stapler and hand-sutured esophagojejunostomy has been the most popular technique utilized in patients undergoing proximal gastrectomy through Roux-en-Y reconstruction for disease processes of the gastroesophageal junction. In recent years, with the advent of laparoscopic bariatric surgical techniques and refined linear stapler cutters, surgeons have developed the linear stapler side-to-side technique as a valid option. The aim of this study is to describe our technique and review the outcomes using the Roux-en-Y reconstruction with linear staplers after laparoscopic proximal gastrectomy for malignant and benign disease.


METHODS
After Internal Review Board approval and with adherence to the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act guidelines, a retrospective review of a prospectively collected database was conducted. A total of 14 patients underwent proximal laparoscopic gastric resection at our institution during a 3-year period from January 2008 to January 2011. Sex, body mass index, prior surgeries, complications of the prior surgery, intraoperative complications, pathologic findings, postoperative complications, hospital stay, and outpatient follow-up were measured in the preoperative and postoperative period.


RESULTS
Our patient population consisted of 9 women and 5 men, with a mean age and body mass index of 45.42 years and 35.64 kg/m, respectively. Indications for proximal gastrectomy was in 4 patients a leak at the angle of His secondary to sleeve gastrectomy for morbid obesity, 1 patient was a stricture after a vertical banded gastroplasty, 1 patient a revision of a eroded gastric band, 1 patient a revision of a eroded mesh secondary to a hiatal hernia repair, 1 patient a conversion of a failed Nissen, 3 patients had a total gastrectomy due to a stage 2 gastric cancer, and 1 patient a gastrointestinal stromal tumor. There were no intraoperative complications. All the procedures were completed laparoscopically. The mean operative time was 137.16 minutes. The mean hospital stay was 7.6 days. One patient had a postoperative stricture at the esophagojejunal anastomosis that required multiple dilatations. All patients with gastric cancer are free of tumor recurrence.


CONCLUSIONS
The use of a laparoscopic proximal gastrectomy with Roux-en-Y reconstruction through combined side-to-side linear stapler and hand-sewn esophagojejunal anastomosis seems to be a feasible and safe approach.
Department of General Surgery, Section of Minimally Invasive and Endoscopic Surgery, Bariatric and Metabolic Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Weston, FL.
Carlos M
CM
Esquivel
Carolina
C
Ampudia
Abraham
A
Fridman
Rena
R
Moon
Samuel
S
Szomstein
Raul J
RJ
Rosenthal
D000328:Adult; D004943:Esophagogastric Junction; D004946:Esophagostomy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D005743:Gastrectomy; D015390:Gastric Bypass / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013272:Stomach Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D017792:Surgical Stapling / Q000379:methods*; D016896:Treatment Outcome