[Gastrectomy--interposition of the jejunum. Results, function and histologic changes of the substitute stomach]

Of 31 patients with gastrectomy and isoperistaltic interposition of a long jejunal loop, a follow-up examination was possible in 13 cases. Gastroscopy and biopsy were performed in 10 of these patients. The time between operation and follow-up examination was 3 months to 2 1/2 years. At the time of operation 15 patients were older than 70 years (48.4%) and the 3 postoperative deaths belong to this age-group (9.6%). 10 patients died (32.3%). The various complaints were registered with a questionnaire and show the good function of the substitute-stomach. Once we saw a leakage of the oesophago-jejunal anastomosis and once reflux oesophagitis (3.2%). The laboratory findings showed no remarkable changes. In X-ray studies a distension of the transposed jejunal segment was never seen and the insignificant histological changes do not correlate to the time after operation. Neither muscular wall hypertrophy nor an increase in goblet cells was observed.