Palliative gastrojejunostomy in unresectable cancer and gastric outlet obstruction: a retrospective cohort study

Palliative gastrojejunostomy is a surgical technique that allows restoration of oral intake among patients with gastric outlet obstruction (GOO) caused by unresectable neoplasms. Research suggests standard treatment for malignant GOO should be laparoscopic gastrojejunostomy (LGJ). This study presents the clinical outcomes of palliative gastrojejunostomy and compares results from LGJ and open gastrojejunostomy (OGJ) at our centre.

We performed a retrospective analysis on patients who underwent palliative gastrojejunostomy for GOO caused by unresectable neoplasms between 2008 and 2018. We included demographic variables, time to recover intestinal transit, time to recover oral intake, hospital stay, complications and global survival.

A total of 39 patients underwent palliative gastrojejunostomy (20 OGJ, 19 LGJ). Patients in the LGJ group recovered oral intake and intestinal transit faster than those in the OGJ group (3 vs 5 days, p<0.05). There were no statistically significant differences in median operating time, hospital stay or postoperative complications between the two groups. No intraoperative complications occurred. The estimated global survival was 178 days, with no significant difference between the groups.

Palliative LGJ allows earlier restoration of oral intake and does not increase morbidity or mortality. Palliative LGJ should be considered the standard treatment for these patients.