title: Modified overlap method using knotless barbed sutures (MOBS) for intracorporeal esophagojejunostomy after totally laparoscopic gastrectomy.
abstract: Compared to end-to-side anastomosis with a circular stapler, the overlap method is favored for intracorporeal esophagojejunostomy because it facilitates handling of the stapler, even in narrow spaces, and wider anastomosis. However, it associates with technical difficulties during anastomosis, including difficult traction on the esophageal stump that necessitates stay sutures. Here, we introduce a new modified overlap method that employs knotless barbed sutures (MOBS) and report the outcomes of our case series.
  
  
  
  All consecutive patients who underwent intracorporeal esophagojejunostomy in 2015-2016 were included. All patients underwent surgery as follows: After esophageal transection with a linear stapler, two V-loc 90 sutures (Covidien, Mansfield, MA, USA) were sutured in the center of the stapled line. The opening was made between the two threads, and the intraluminal space was identified. The jejunum was ascended toward the esophageal stump by inserting a 45-mm-long linear staple. The anastomosis was made at the space between the right and left crura. After firing the linear stapler, the entry hole was closed bidirectionally using the pre-sutured threads.
  
  
  
  Forty patients underwent MOBS (27 by laparoscopy; 13 by robot). Mean total operative and MOBS procedural times were 180.6 and 22.4 min, respectively. Mean hospital stay was 6.9 days. Two patients had major complications (5.0 %). There were no anastomosis-related complications. Laparoscopy and robot subgroups did not differ in mean MOBS procedural times (22.2 vs. 22.7 min, p = 0.787).
  
  
  
  MOBS is a safe and feasible method that is a good option for intracorporeal esophagojejunostomy after laparoscopic gastrectomy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Ajou University School of Medicine, 206 Worldcup-ro, Yeongtong-gu, Suwon, 443-749, Korea.
authors.forename: Sang-Yong
authors.initials: SY
authors.lastname: Son
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Ajou University School of Medicine, 206 Worldcup-ro, Yeongtong-gu, Suwon, 443-749, Korea.
authors.forename: Long-Hai
authors.initials: LH
authors.lastname: Cui
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Ajou University School of Medicine, 206 Worldcup-ro, Yeongtong-gu, Suwon, 443-749, Korea.
authors.forename: Ho-Jung
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Shin
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Ajou University School of Medicine, 206 Worldcup-ro, Yeongtong-gu, Suwon, 443-749, Korea.
authors.forename: Cheulsu
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Byun
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Ajou University School of Medicine, 206 Worldcup-ro, Yeongtong-gu, Suwon, 443-749, Korea.
authors.forename: Hoon
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Hur
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Ajou University School of Medicine, 206 Worldcup-ro, Yeongtong-gu, Suwon, 443-749, Korea. hansu@ajou.ac.kr.
authors.forename: Sang-Uk
authors.initials: SU
authors.lastname: Han
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Ajou University School of Medicine, 206 Worldcup-ro, Yeongtong-gu, Suwon, 443-749, Korea.
authors.forename: Yong Kwan
authors.initials: YK
authors.lastname: Cho
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000714:Anastomosis, Surgical / Q000379:methods*; D004944:Esophagoplasty / Q000379:methods; D004947:Esophagus / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D005743:Gastrectomy / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D007422:Intestines / Q000601:surgery; D007582:Jejunostomy / Q000379:methods; D007583:Jejunum / Q000601:surgery; D010535:Laparoscopy / Q000379:methods; D007902:Length of Stay; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D065287:Robotic Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods; D013274:Stomach Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D017792:Surgical Stapling / Q000379:methods; D013536:Suture Techniques; D013537:Sutures
keywords: Esophagojejunostomy; Gastric cancer; Laparoscopic surgery