[Reconstruction methods for the continuous digestive tract using surgical stapling after gastrectomy with...

From 1984 to 1994, 152 patients were operated for gastric cancer in Clinical Department of Surgical Oncology, Medical University of Lodz. Patients age ranged from 31 to 82 years (mean age-61.2). The purpose of this study was to evaluate the methods of reconstruction of gastrointestinal tract (GIT) continuity. Our material comprised patients who underwent total gastrectomy for gastric cancer. In 52 patients radical procedure--total gastrectomy--was performed, with reconstruction of gastrointestinal tract continuity. The latter part of surgery was accomplished using different methods: Roux-Y anastomosis-10 patients (19.2%); esophago-jejunal "end to side" anastomosis-8 patients (15.4%); Hunt-Lawrence-Rodino anastomosis-34(65%). During procedures staplers and VALTRAC rings were used, as well as ultrasound selector and argon coagulator for hepatic and pancreatic resections. Quality of life after gastrectomy was determined on the basis of interviews taken from patients, in whom GIT continuity was reconstructed with or without intestinal pouch creation. We also evaluated incidence and type of complications after such procedures. Perioperative mortality in our material was 7.7%. We concluded that the best results was achieved when continuity of gastrointestinal tract after total gastrectomy was reconstructed with intestinal (first loop of jejunum) pouch creation (Hunt-Lawrence procedure). This method warranted high quality of life and low incidence of complications. Staplers enables us to shorten time of procedure and to decrease the number of anastomosis leaks, so that our results of surgical treatment of patients with gastric cancer were better.