[Research advance in Billroth II with Braun anastomosis after distal gastrectomy]

Methods of digestive tract reconstruction after distal gastrectomy include Billroth I, Billroth II and Roux-en-Y. Each of them has advantages and disadvantages respectively. Alkaline reflux gastritis (ARG) is one of the complications after distal gastrectomy, which is common after Billroth II. In the past 100 years, the ways of digestive tract reconstruction have been continuously improved and developed to prevent the occurrence of alkaline reflux gastritis, and Roux-en-Y is one of them. Still, there is a high incidence of Roux stasis syndrome resulting from Roux-en-Y, with impact on quality of life. Therefore, the appropriate reconstruction is needed urgently. Braun anastomosis was proposed in 1892 to lower the incidence of afferent syndrome. Because of its effect of diverting some alkaline digestive juice, it was applied to pancreaticoduodenectomy and distal gastrectomy. Some studies have proved its effect of diverting some alkaline digestive juice, but the diverted quantity was rarely shown. Besides, compared with Roux-en-Y, Billroth II with Braun anastomosis is safer and more convenient. Meantime it is likely to have benefits in aspect of preventing anemia and malnutrition. In order to provide evidence to clinical practice, this article summarizes the history and research advance of Billroth II with Braun anastomosis by reviewing previous reports.