4/5 Gastrectomy in Patients Undergoing Pancreaticoduodenectomy Reduces Delayed Gastric Emptying

Delayed gastric emptying (DGE) is a frequent complication after pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD), impairing oral food intake and reducing the quality of life. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of 4/5 gastrectomy on DGE after PD.

Patients undergoing pylorus-preserving PD (ppPD) were compared with PD with 4/5 subtotal gastrectomy, including resection of the gastric fundus (SGPD). The primary endpoint was DGE, according to the International Study Group of Pancreatic Surgery definition. Secondary outcomes included time to solid food intake, time to first flatus, postoperative morbidity, and body weight change 6- and 12-wk after surgery.

Sixty patients underwent either ppPD (n = 32) or SGPD (n = 28). Patient characteristics were well balanced between the groups. DGE occurred in 47% after ppPD and 18% after SGPD (P = 0.027). Compared with ppPD, time to solid food intake and time to first flatus were significantly shorter after SGPD (8 d [interquartile range 5-12] versus 5 d [4-6]; P = 0.003 and 5 d [4-7] versus 3 d [2-5]; P = 0.001, respectively). Major postoperative morbidity and hospital stay was similar between the groups. Weight loss at 6 wk was less pronounced after ppPD (-4.8% [-6.3 to -2.7] versus -7.5% [-8.9 to -5.9]; P = 0.013), however, comparable after 3 and 6 mo (ppPD -7.6% [-8.5 to -4.8] versus SGPD -8.4% [-17.3 to -5.2]; P = 0.334 and ppPD -6.0% [-14.5 to 6.0] versus SGPD -9.5% [-11.8 to -7.0], P = 0.414, respectively).

Compared with pylorus preservation, 4/5 gastrectomy significantly reduced the frequency of DGE and led to a faster gastrointestinal passage after PD. However, the benefits of a reduced DGE rate and a faster gastrointestinal passage should be carefully balanced against an increased weight loss after 4/5 gastrectomy in the early postoperative phase.