Proximal gastrectomy and jejunal pouch interposition: evaluation of postoperative symptoms and gastrointestinal...

Reflux esophagitis, dumping syndrome and malnutrition are included in the postgastrectomy complications. To prevent or minimize such sequelae, proximal gastrectomy with an interposed jejunal pouch has been advocated as an organ-preserving surgical strategy to improve quality of life for the patients. Proximal gastrectomy was performed in 44 patients with tumors in the upper third of the stomach; 21 had reconstruction using jejunal pouch interposition between the esophagus and the remnant stomach (JP group), while 23 had reconstruction by esophagogastrostomy (EG group). Re-construction method was selected by each patient on the basis of the informed consent. Thirty-five patients had early gastric cancer. Postoperative courses of patients were reviewed in terms of symptoms, weight maintenance, nutritional status, blood chemistry values, endoscopic findings, and radiographic appearances after a barium meal. Concentrations of gastrointestinal hormones were measured in response to a test meal. The JP procedure permitted increased dietary volume. The JP group showed fewer severe postoperative symptoms than the EG group. After operation, all patients examined in both groups showed hypergastrinemia and all patients examined in the JP group showed hypersecretinemia. In proximal gastrectomy, the JP procedure improved patient's post-operative quality of life.