[Risk of gastrectomy for stomach carcinoma in relation to reconstruction methods]

Between 1982 and 1996 we performed 452 total gastrectomies due to gastric cancer. 108 patients underwent a pouch reconstruction called Ulm pouch with preservation of the duodenal passage. In 251 patients, the reconstruction was made according to Hunt-Lawrence-Rodino and in 93 patients, a Roux-en-Y reconstruction without pouch was performed. In the Ulm pouch group, the rate of anastomotic leakage as well as the 30-day mortality was 0.8% and its relative risk was 2.6 times lower than in the other reconstruction groups (n = 452) and therefore, this type of reconstruction can be recommended for all curatively resected patients also with regard to morbidity and mortality.