Comparative Analysis of Immediate Postoperative Complications Following Total Gastrectomy

Total gastrectomy (TG), despite disrupting the continuity of the alimentary tract and accounting for significant postoperative complications, is the procedure of choice for curative resection of gastric carcinoma. The objectives of this study were to report the rate of postoperative complications following TG, to analyze adverse postoperative outcomes, and to determine which of the two techniques - the Roux-en-Y esophagojejunostomy and Omega-Braun TG, is safer.

A retrospective, observational study was conducted among patients diagnosed with gastric carcinoma who underwent TG between January 1st, 2010 and December 31st, 2012 in the Surgery Department of the Bucharest Clinical Emergency Hospital. Descriptive and analytical statistical analysis with parametric and non-parametric tests was carried out using GraphPad, with statistical significance set at p <0.05.

Seventy-seven patients, aged 37-91 years (average age 64.1 ± 11.59 years), were enrolled in this study. A total of 84 immediate postoperative complications were encountered in 35 patients (47.5%), classified into local (n=21, 25%) and general complications (n=63, 75%). Reoperation was necessary in five cases (6.2%), all after Roux-en-Y end-side esophagojejunostomy. Two deaths (n=2, 2.5%), one after Roux-en-Y and one after Omega-Braun TG, were reported.

The Roux-en-Y technique had a higher number of complications, both local and general. Omega-Braun TG was associated with a lower number of local complications; however, it was associated with life-threatening complications including hemodynamic instability and multisystem organ failure.

The study deemed Roux-en-Y Esophagojejunostomy the overall safer procedure. A statistically significant correlation between manual anastomosis and mortality was observed. Total Gastrectomy is a complex procedure with numerous potential complications which calls for an improved surgical technique to reduce postoperative risk.