Anti-reflux pouch-esophagostomy after proximal gastrectomy with jejunal pouch interposition reconstruction

Reflux esophagitis is a serious postoperative complication for patients undergoing gastrectomy. We designed a new jejunal pouch-esophagostomy to prevent reflux after proximal gastrectomy. After proximal gastrectomy, ajejunal segment about 17 cm long was folded. Side-to-side jejuno-jejunostomy was made using a linear stapler with 100-mm staples along the length at the anti-mesenteric side. A 10-cm-longjejunal pouch with a 7-cm-long apical bridge was made. Esophago-jejuno end-to-side anastomosis (pouch-esophagostomy) was made with circular stapler at the right anterior wall the apical bridge. We add "partial posterior fundoplication" like wrapping using the apical bridge of the jejunal pouch. Patients with this new anti-reflux anastomosis showed no reflux on barium meal study even in the right anterior oblique deep Trendelenburg's position. Jejunal pouch reconstruction with partial posterior wrapping provides a satisfactory result with regard to preventing reflux esophagitis.