Joint Nasogastric Tube Versus Traditional Decompression Nasogastric Tube to Guided OGT-Overlap Esophagojejunostomy in Laparoscopic Total Gastrectomy: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

BACKGROUND

Our team pioneered the use of a joint nasogastric tube (JNT) for pairing overlap-esophagojejunostomy guiding tube (OGT) in an OGT-overlap esophagojejunostomy, demonstrating its safety and efficacy.

OBJECTIVE

We aimed to compare the safety and efficacy of a novel technique, the JNT, with traditional nasogastric tubing (TNT) in guiding OGT-overlap esophagojejunostomy.

METHODS

From January 2023 to January 2024, a total of 108 gastric/gastroesophageal junction (G/GEJ) cancer patients undergoing laparoscopic total gastrectomy (LTG) were eligible for inclusion in this study; however, 2 patients were excluded as they underwent hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) after surgery. Patients were randomized into two groups: the JNT-OGT-overlap esophagojejunostomy group (JNT group; n = 53) or the TNT-OGT-overlap esophagojejunostomy group (TNT group; n = 53).

RESULTS

The JNT group had a significantly higher success rate for nasogastric tube (NT) insertion into the esophageal stump on the first attempt (90.6% vs. 58.5%; p < 0.001). Additionally, the insertion times were reduced by 6/7 of their original duration (15 [21] vs. 100 [120] sec; p < 0.001)], and connection times for OGT and NT were shortened to 2/5 of their original duration (90 [63] vs. 220 [130] sec; p < 0.001). Esophagojejunostomy time was also shorter in the JNT group (17.4 vs. 21.7 min; p < 0.001). Two cases were converted from TNT to JNT due to the failure of TNT to guide the esophageal stump entry hole for more than 5 min, which was resolved promptly by the JNT. Postoperative complications (18.9% vs. 20.8%; p = 0.807), particularly esophagojejunal anastomotic leakage (EJAL; 5.7% vs. 3.8%; p =1.000), and complication severity classification (p = 0.315) were comparable between the two groups.

CONCLUSIONS

The JNT technique significantly and safely improved the efficiency of OGT-overlap esophagojejunostomy compared with TNT, suggesting a well-tolerated and efficient new strategy for esophagojejunostomy.