Jejunal pouch interposition with fundic-like plication after total gastrectomy.

PURPOSE: We developed a technique of jejunal pouch interposition with a fundic-like jejunal plication (JPI-FP) for reconstruction after total gastrectomy (TG) for gastric cancer. The aim of this study was to investigate the advantages of JPI-FP over Roux-en-Y reconstruction (R-Y).

METHODS

Twenty-two patients who had undergone TG more than 1 year earlier were classified into two groups according to the method of reconstruction used: Group A (n = 7) underwent R-Y, and group B (n = 15) underwent JPI-FP. Group B was subdivided into two groups to examine the usefulness of additional pylorus preservation: group B1 (n = 8), pylorus (-) and group B2 (n = 7), pylorus (+).

RESULTS

Food intake and body weight were significantly higher in group B than in group A (P < 0.05). Reflux esophagitis was diagnosed in two of the group A patients, but in none of the group B patients. Excessive esophageal bile exposure, determined as the fraction time of esophageal bilirubin absorbance over 0.14 > 50%, was significantly higher in group A than in group B (P < 0.05). There was no significant difference in bile exposure in the jejunal pouch between groups B1 and B2.

CONCLUSIONS

JPI-FP is a superior method of reconstruction after TG to prevent excessive esophageal bile reflux and from a nutritional aspect. The advantage of pylorus preservation remains unconfirmed.