title: Subtotal gastrectomy for gastric cancer: long term outcomes of Billroth I reconstruction at a single European institute.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The role of Billroth I (BI) subtotal gastrectomy (SG) for gastric cancer (GC) remains controversial in Western countries. The aim of the study is to critically analyze the long term outcomes of this procedure in a large single-institution experience.
  
  
  METHODS
  Between 1990 and 2004, 158 patients underwent BI SG for GC at the Regina Elena Cancer Institute of Rome. Evaluation focused on cancer recurrence of the gastric stump, functional outcome and endoscopic findings.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Actuarial survival rate 10 years after resection in stage I-II was 70.7 per cent. After curative resection, primary cancer of the gastric stump occurred in one patient seven years after resection (0.7 per cent), whereas two patients had early recurrence (1.4 per cent) one and three years postoperatively. There were no oesophageal cancers. In survivors, Visick grades I and II achieved 95 per cent, and postoperative endoscopy showed no evidence of mucosal changes in 85 per cent of the patients. Twelve per cent of the patients took acid blocker regularly, however, the incidence of functional failure was 5 per cent.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In selected patients, Billroth I subtotal gastrectomy is a safe and effective procedure that provides long-term survival and very good functional outcome.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Santoro
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Mancini
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Carboni
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Lepiane
authors.forename: G M
authors.initials: GM
authors.lastname: Ettorre
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Santoro
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D005743:Gastrectomy / Q000379:methods*; D005763:Gastroenterostomy / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013274:Stomach Neoplasms / Q000401:mortality / Q000601:surgery*