Roux-en-Y gastrectomy: early and late results

Results obtained in 16 patients by Roux-en-Y gastrectomy (Moskowicz procedure) are presented. According to Langhans a high gastrectomy ascending on the lesser curvature to 2 to 3 cm below the cardia and unaccompanied by a sectioning of the vagal branches was performed. The Roux-en-Y resection was used only in exceptional situations, being preferred to the standard Billroth II operation in order to avoid the biliopancreatic reflux into the gastric remnant. It was performed as a primary intervention in 13 cases (penetrating gastric or duodenal ulcers, gastritis due to biliar reflux) and as a revisional surgery in three patients with disturbances of the operated stomach. The best results were obtained in gastritis due to biliar reflux, in gastric ulcers Johnson I type, and when the method was used as a revisional surgery. When it was used as a primary operation in duodenal ulcers, the main risks depend of two things: the duodenal fistula and the ulcerous recurrence. Duodenal stump disruption has not specific causes and as well as in all the Billroth II resections may results from less than satisfactory duodenal closure. This complication was noted in one patient. Concerning the risk of the anastomotic ulcer, it is particularly increased in the Billroth II-Roux gastrectomy compared with the other types of gastric resections. When the operation is unaccompanied by vagotomy, the risk has maximum values. In this clinical material the ulcerous recurrence was noted in four patients.