Postoperative Nutrition Status of Patients With Esophago-gastric Junction Cancer With Gastric Tube or Esophago-gastric Reconstruction.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND/AIM: Postoperative nutritional management for esophago-gastric junction cancer (EGJC) has become increasingly important. This study compared the nutritional status of patients with EGJC who underwent gastric tube reconstruction versus esophago-gastric anastomosis. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Mediastinoscopic esophagectomy with gastric tube reconstruction was performed in 17 cases (group GT) and laparoscopic proximal gastrectomy with esophago-gastric anastomosis in 33 cases (group EG). The perioperative characteristics and nutritional status of the two groups in the 2 years postoperatively were compared. RESULTS: Group GT had a significantly higher level of serum total protein at 24 months postoperatively than did group EG. No other significant differences in postoperative nutritional status were observed between the groups. CONCLUSION: Gastric tube reconstruction for EGJC was not inferior to esophago-gastric anastomosis in terms of nutritional status. It is a candidate surgical procedure to avoid higher mediastinal anastomosis.