Application of hand-sewn esophagojejunostomy in laparoscopic total gastrectomy.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the clinical efficacy and prognostic implication of hand-sewn anastomosis in laparoscopic total gastrectomy (LTG). METHODS: Retrospective analysis is adopted to the clinicopathologic data of 112 patients with gastric cancer (GC) who went through LTG in the Department of General Surgery, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University between October 2020 and October 2022. Among them, 60 individuals receiving medical care were split into the hand-sewn anastomosis group (Group H, N = 60); while, 52 individuals were split into the circular stapler anastomosis group (Group C, N = 52) The clinical efficacy and prognostic conditions of hand-sewn anastomosis are compared with those of circular stapler anastomosis in the application of LTG. RESULTS: The analysis results indicated that no notable difference was observed in intraoperative bleeding volume, time to first flatus (TFF), postoperative hospitalization duration and postoperative complications among the two groups (P > 0.05). Group H had shorter esophagojejunal anastomosis duration (20.0 min vs. 35.0 min) and surgery duration (252.6 ± 19.4 min vs. 265.9 ± 19.8 min), smaller incisions (5.0 cm vs. 10.5 cm), and lower hospitalization costs (58415.0 CNY vs. 63382.5 CNY) compared to Group C (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The clinical efficacy and the postoperative complications of hand-sewn esophagojejunostomy are basically equivalent in comparison to the circular stapler anastomosis in the application of LTG. Its advantage lies in shorter esophagojejunal anastomosis duration, shorter surgery duration, smaller incisions, lower hospitalization costs and wider adaptability of the location of the tumor.

Different Methods of Minimally Invasive Esophagojejunostomy After Total Gastrectomy for Gastric Cancer: Outcomes from Two Experienced Centers.

BACKGROUND: Esophagojejunostomy after minimally invasive total gastrectomy (MITG) for gastric cancer (GC) is technically challenging. Failure of the esophagojejunal anastomosis can lead to significant morbidity, leading to short- and long-term quality of life (QoL) impairment or mortality. The optimal reconstruction method following MITG remains controversial. We evaluated outcomes of minimally invasive esophagojejunostomy after laparoscopic or robotic total gastrectomies. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed MITG patients between 2015 and 2020 at two high-volume centers in China and the United States. Eligible patients were divided into groups by different reconstruction methods. We compared clinicopathologic characteristics, postoperative outcomes, including complication rates, overall survival rate (OS), disease-free survival rate (DFS), and patient-reported QoL. RESULTS: GC patients (n = 105) were divided into intracorporeal esophagojejunostomy (IEJ, n = 60) and extracorporeal esophagojejunostomy (EEJ, n = 45) groups. EEJ had higher incidence of wound infection (8.3% vs 13.3%, P = 0.044) and pneumonia (21.7% vs 40.0%, P = 0.042) than IEJ. The linear stapler (LS) group was inferior to the circular stapler (CS) group in reflux [50.0 (11.1-77.8) vs 44.4 (0.0-66.7), P = 0.041] and diarrhea [33.3 (0.0-66.7) vs 0.0 (0.0-66.7), P = 0.045] while LS was better than CS for dysphagia [22.2 (0.0-33.3) vs 11.1 (0.0-33.3), P = 0.049] and eating restrictions [33.3 (16.7-58.3) vs 41.7 (16.7-66.7), P = 0.029] at 1 year. OS and DFS did not differ significantly between LS and CS. CONCLUSIONS: IEJ anastomosis generated better results than EEJ. LS was associated with a better patient eating experience, but more diarrhea and reflux compared with CS. Clinical and patient-reported outcomes show the superiority of IEJ with the LS reconstruction method in MITG for GC.

A novel method of anvil placement of circular stapler for esophagojejunostomy in laparoscopic total gastrectomy for gastric cancer: results of consecutive 200 cases.

BACKGROUND: Laparoscopic total gastrectomy for gastric cancer is still a demanding operation because of technical difficulties, especially of intracorporeal esophago-jejunal anastomosis. METHODS: We introduced a newly designed method of anvil placement of circular stapling devices (CS) for laparoscopic esophagojejunostomy (EJS). A small incision was made on the anterior wall of the stomach, from which the anvil was inserted into the stomach and proceeded to the thoracic esophagus. Then, the abdominal esophagus was transected by a linear stapler, and the anvil into the esophagus was drawn back to the esophageal stump by pulling out the cotton tape pre-attached to the anvil. Intracorporeal EJS by Roux-en-Y reconstruction was performed by CS inserted into the abdominal cavity from the umbilical wound. RESULTS: A total of consecutive 200 gastric cancer patients underwent laparoscopic total gastrectomy using this method. There was no operative mortality. Anastomotic complications occurred in 12 cases (6.0%): 9 cases of stenosis (4.5%) and 3 cases of bleedings (1.5%). Anastomotic leakage was not observed. As for non-anastomotic complications, there occurred 2 pulmonary complications (1.0%), 3 pancreatic leakages (1.5%), and 8 bowel obstructions due to internal hernia (4.0%). With a median follow-up period of 47.1 months, 5-year overall survival for assessable patients (n = 193) was 60.3% (95% CI 52.6-67.2). The total rate of peritoneal recurrence was 9.8%. CONCLUSION: Our new method of anvil placement for laparoscopic EJS with CS is safe and feasible with favorable survival outcomes. It eliminates the need for suturing, and will promote the clinical application of laparoscopic total gastrectomy for gastric cancer. CLINICAL TRIALS: UMIN000046119.

Double stapling technique versus hemi-double stapling technique for esophagojejunostomy with OrVil™ after laparoscopic total gastrectomy: a single-blind, randomized clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: The transorally inserted anvil (OrVil™) is frequently selected for esophagojejunostomy after laparoscopic total gastrectomy (LTG) because of its versatility. During anastomosis with OrVil™, the double stapling technique (DST) or hemi-double stapling technique (HDST) can be selected by overlapping the linear stapler and the circular stapler. However, no studies have reported the differences between the methods and their clinical significance. METHODS: A randomized controlled clinical trial with a parallel assignment and single-blind outcomes assessment analysis was conducted. Patients with gastric cancer eligible for LTG who met the selection criteria were randomized. Preoperative characteristics and perioperative and postoperative outcomes were compared between the DST and HDST. The primary endpoint was an anastomosis-related complication, and the secondary endpoints were perioperative outcomes and postoperative complications, excluding anastomosis-related complications. RESULTS: Thirty patients with gastric cancer were eligible and randomized. LTG and esophagojejunostomy were successfully performed in all patients, without conversion to laparotomy. Preoperative characteristics, excluding preoperative chemotherapy, were not significantly different between the two groups. One anastomotic leakage of Clavien-Dindo classification grade ≥ IIIa was observed in the DST, although no significant difference was found between the two groups (6.6% vs. 0%, P = 0.30). In the HDST, one case of anastomotic stricture required endoscopic balloon dilation. No significant differences were found in operative time, whereas the anastomosis time was significantly shorter in the HDST than in the DST (47.5 ± 15.8 vs. 38.2 ± 8.8 min, P = 0.028). Except for anastomosis-related complications, postoperative complications (P = 0.282) and postoperative hospital stay for the DST and HDST were not significantly different. CONCLUSIONS: No superiority was found between the DST and HDST with OrVil™ in esophagojejunostomy of LTG for gastric cancer with respect to postoperative complications, whereas the HDST may be preferable in terms of the simplicity of the surgical technique.

Hand-sewn esophagojejunostomy in transthoracic single-port assisted laparoscopic esophagogastrectomy for Siewert type II adenocarcinoma of the esophagogastric junction with esophageal invasion > 3 cm.

BACKGROUND: An optimal method for digestive tract reconstruction (DTR) in laparoscopic radical resection of Siewert type II adenocarcinoma of esophagogastric junction (AEG) has not yet been standardized. The aim of this study was to evaluate the safety and feasibility of a hand-sewn esophagojejunostomy (EJ) technique during transthoracic single-port assisted laparoscopic esophagogastrectomy (TSLE) for Siewert type II AEG with esophageal invasion > 3 cm. METHODS: The perioperative clinical data and short-term outcomes for patients who underwent TSLE using hand-sewn EJ for Siewert type II AEG with esophageal invasion > 3 cm between March 2019 and April 2022 have been retrospectively reviewed. RESULTS: A total of 25 patients were eligible. All 25 patients were successfully operated. None was converted to open surgery or mortality. 84.00% of patients were male and 16.00% were female. The mean age, body mass index (BMI), and the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) score were 67.88 ± 8.10 years, 21.30 ± 2.80 kg/m2, and 2.08, respectively. The average incorporated operative and hand-sewn EJ procedural times were 274.92 ± 57.46 and 23.36 ± 3.00 min, respectively. The length of extracorporeal esophageal involvement and proximal margin was 3.31 ± 0.26 cm and 3.12 ± 0.12 cm, respectively. The average time for the first oral feeding and hospital stay were 6 (3-14) and 7 (3-18) days, respectively. Two patients (8.00%) developed postoperative grade IIIa complications according to the Clavien-Dindo classification, including 1 case of pleural effusion and 1 case of anastomotic leakage, both of whom were cured by puncture drainage. CONCLUSION: Hand-sewn EJ in TSLE is safe and feasible for Siewert type II AEG. This method can ensure safe proximal margins and could be a good option with an advanced endoscopic suture technique for type II tumor with esophageal invasion > 3 cm.

[One-stage reconstructive jejunogastroplasty after previous multiple abdominal surgeries for left-sided diaphragm rupture complicated by gastric incarceration and necrosis]. / Odnomomentnaya rekonstruktivnaya eyunogastroplastika u bol'nogo posle mnozhestvennykh operatsii na bryushnoi polosti po povodu razryva levogo kupola diafragmy s ushchemleniem i nekrozom zheludka.

Acute gastric necrosis is a rare event requiring organ resection. Delayed reconstruction is advisable in patients with peritonitis and sepsis. The most common complication of gastrectomy with reconstruction is failure of esophagojejunostomy and duodenal stump. In case of severe esophagojejunostomy failure, appropriate surgical approach and timing of reconstructive stage should be analyzed. We report one-stage reconstructive surgery in a patient with multiple fistulas after previous gastrectomy. Surgery included reconstructive jejunogastroplasty with jejunal graft interposition. The patient underwent previous several unsuccessful reconstructive procedures complicated by failure of esophagojejunostomy and duodenal stump with external intestinal, duodenal and esophageal fistulas. Nutritional insufficiency, water and electrolyte disorders due to significant loss of proteins and intestinal juice through the drain tubes deteriorated clinical status. Surgical procedures finished reconstruction, provided closure of multiple fistulas and stomas and restored physiological duodenal passage.

[Delayed esophagojejunostomy as a damage control principle]. / Otsrochennyi ezofagoeyunoanastomoz kak printsip «Damage Control¼.

The authors describe 2 patients with rare gastric diseases and indications for gastrectomy with delayed esophagojejunostomy for objective causes. In one case, they could not determine extent of resection, and other patient had hemorrhagic shock. Damage control principle was applied in both cases.

Application value of overlap guiding tube (OGT) in assisting overlap esophagojejunostomy during laparoscopic total gastrectomy for gastric/gastroesophageal junction (G/GEJ) tumors.

BACKGROUND: The overlap guiding tube (OGT) method, which was designed by our team to assist in overlap esophagojejunostomy, could potentially provide new perspectives for esophagojejunostomy. The application of the OGT-assisted method was first explored by our team and has not yet been reported. METHODS: This cohort study analyzed the 3 month outcomes of 38 gastric/gastroesophageal junction (G/GEJ) tumor patients who underwent OGT-assisted overlap esophagojejunostomy. RESULTS: There were 27 males and 11 females, aged 40-82 years. All patients underwent surgery successfully. The success rate of inserting anvil fork into esophageal lumen at first attempt was 97.4%. The total operation time, esophagojejunostomy time, volume of intraoperative blood loss, and length of surgical incision were 317.6 ± 51.5 min, 20.8 ± 3.8 min, 50.0 (range 15.0-200.0) ml, and 5.0 (range 4.0-8.0) cm, respectively. No procedures were converted to other laparoscopic anastomosis techniques or open approaches. The time to postoperative initial flatus, liquid diet intake, soft diet intake, and length of postoperative hospital stay were 3.0 (range 1.0-6.0) days, 4.0 (range 2.0-9.0)days, 6.0 (range 3.0-11.0) days, and 8.5 (range 6.0-16.0) days, respectively. Overall, postoperative complications were observed in 8 (21.1%) patients. Among them, one patients developed esophagojejunal anastomotic leakage. After 3 months of follow-up, none of the patients developed anastomotic stenosis or experienced unplanned secondary surgery or perioperative death. CONCLUSIONS: OGT-assisted overlap esophagojejunostomy for patients with G/GEJ tumors is safe and feasible, with good short-term effects. OGT method has a satisfactory success rate of inserting anvil fork into esophageal lumen at first attempt and could prevent from developing esophageal submucosa pseudocanals.

Re-do laparoscopic esophagojejunostomy for anastomotic stenosis after laparoscopic total gastrectomy in gastric cancer.

PURPOSE: Anastomotic stenosis of esophagojejunostomy after total gastrectomy has a substantial impact on the postoperative quality of life of the patient. If conservative treatment doesn't work, surgical intervention should be considered. However, redoing esophagojejunostomy is an extremely demanding procedure. Especially in the case where the primary surgery was performed laparoscopically, it is an unmet problem to maintain minimal invasiveness in re-do surgery. METHODS: We report 3 cases of re-do esophagojejunostomy laparoscopically performed for anastomotic stenosis after laparoscopic total gastrectomy in gastric cancer, in whom endoscopic balloon dilation did not work. RESULTS: Each patient underwent a re-do esophagojejunostomy laparoscopically. The mean operation time was 293 min, and the mean blood loss was 56 ml. There was no anastomosis-related complication, and they were discharged from hospital on 11-16 postoperative days. At the time of discharge, oral food intake was 100% in each patient. One year after the operation, follow-up endoscopic exams showed no anastomotic stenosis. CONCLUSION: Re-do laparoscopic esophagojejunostomy for anastomotic stenosis after laparoscopic total gastrectomy was safely and successfully performed. It brings patients minimal invasiveness continuously from the initial surgery. Re-do laparoscopic esophagojejunostomy could be one of the options for anastomotic stenosis resistant to conservative treatment.

Laparoscopic single-layer running "trapezoid-shaped" suture versus mechanical stapling for esophagojejunostomy after total gastrectomy for gastric cancer: cost-effect analysis of propensity score-matched study cohorts.

OBJECTIVES: Totally laparoscopic total gastrectomy has been developed with difficulty in intracorporeal esophagojejunostomy. Although mechanical stapling has been widely used for intracorporeal esophagojejunostomy, manual suture holds great promise with the emergence of high-resolution 3D vision and robotic surgery. After exploration of how to improve the safety and efficiency of intracorporeal suture for esophagojejunostomy, we recommended the technique of single-layer running "trapezoid-shaped" suture. The cost-effectiveness was analyzed by comparing with conventional mechanical stapling. METHODS: The study retrospectively reviewed the patients undergoing laparoscopic gastrectomy for gastric cancer from January 2010 to December 2021. The patients were divided into two cohorts based on the methods of intracorporeal esophagojejunostomy: manual suture versus stapling suture. Propensity score matching was performed to match patients from the two cohorts at a ratio of 1:1. Then group comparison was made to determine whether manual suture was non-inferior to stapling suture in terms of operation time, anastomotic complications, postoperative hospital stay, and surgical cost. RESULTS: The study included 582 patients with laparoscopic total gastrectomy. The manual and stapling suture for esophagojejunostomy were performed in 50 and 532 patients, respectively. In manual suture cohort, the median time for the whole operation and digestive tract reconstruction were 300 min and 110 min. There was no anastomotic bleeding and stenosis but two cases of anastomotic leak which occurred at 3 days after surgery. The median length of postoperative hospital stay was 11 days. After propensity score matching, group comparison yielded two variables with statistical significance: time for digestive tract reconstruction and surgery cost. The manual suture cohort spent less money but more time for esophagojejunostomy. Intriguingly, the learning curve of manual suture revealed that the time for digestive tract reconstruction was declined with accumulated number of operations. CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopic single-layer running "trapezoid-shaped" suture appears safe and cost-effective for intracorporeal esophagojejunostomy after total gastrectomy. Although the concern remains about prolonged operation time for beginners of performing the suture method, adequate practice is expected to shorten the operation time based on our learning curve analysis.

Short-term outcomes after totally laparoscopic total gastrectomy with esophagojejunostomy constructed by π-shaped method versus overlap method.

BACKGROUND: Regarding the overlap anastomosis and recently introduced π-shaped anastomosis, there is no consensus on which intracorporeal esophagojejunostomy (EJS) methods are preferred using linear stapler in totally laparoscopic total gastrectomy (TLTG). This study aims to evaluate the short-term outcomes using two methods. METHODS: Patients with upper gastric cancer underwent TLTG with either π-shaped (n = 48) or the modified overlap method using knotless barbed sutures (MOBS) (n = 37) were included in our study. Intraoperative and perioperative outcomes were compared. RESULTS: All patients achieved R0 resection margin. The overall esophagojejunal (E-J)-related complications rate was 7.06%. There was no significant difference between the two groups in terms of postoperative complications, margin distance, numbers of lymph nodes (LNs), length of stay. In the π-shaped group, anastomosis time (19.61 ± 7.17 min vs. 27.09 ± 3.59 min, p < 0.001) was significantly lower. The consumable costs for surgery were similar (44 507.74¥ [42 933.03-46 937.29] vs. 43 718.36¥ [42 743.25-47 256.06], p = 0.825). The first defection time was significantly longer in π-shaped group (131.00 h [93.75-171.25] vs. 100.00 h [85.00-120.00], p = 0.026), whereas the other postoperative recovery parameters were similar. No mortality was observed. CONCLUSIONS: Both methods showed similar short-term postoperative outcomes. The π-shaped technique was faster than the MOBS method without significantly increasing the supplies costs. Large prospective studies are warranted.

Comparison of surgical outcomes among different methods of esophagojejunostomy in laparoscopic total gastrectomy for clinical stage I proximal gastric cancer: results of a single-arm multicenter phase II clinical trial in Korea, KLASS 03.

BACKGROUND: Laparoscopic distal gastrectomy for early gastric cancer has been widely accepted, but laparoscopic total gastrectomy has still not gained popularity because of technical difficulty and unsolved safety issue. We conducted a single-arm multicenter phase II clinical trial to evaluate the safety and the feasibility of laparoscopic total gastrectomy for clinical stage I proximal gastric cancer in terms of postoperative morbidity and mortality in Korea. The secondary endpoint of this trial was comparison of surgical outcomes among the groups that received different methods of esophagojejunostomy (EJ). METHODS: The 160 patients of the full analysis set group were divided into three groups according to the method of EJ, the extracorporeal circular stapling group (EC; n = 45), the intracorporeal circular stapling group (IC; n = 64), and the intracorporeal linear stapling group (IL; n = 51). The clinicopathologic characteristics and the surgical outcomes were compared among these three groups. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in the early complication rates among the three groups (26.7% vs. 18.8% vs. 17.6%, EC vs. IC vs. IL; p = 0.516). The length of mini-laparotomy incision was significantly longer in the EC group than in the IC or IL group. The anastomosis time was significantly shorter in the EC group than in the IL group. The time to first flatus was significantly shorter in the IL group than in the EC group. The long-term complication rate was not significantly different among the three groups (4.4% vs. 12.7% vs. 7.8%; EC vs. IC vs. IL; p = 0.359), however, the long-term incidence of EJ stenosis in IC group (10.9%) was significantly higher than in EC (0%) and IL (2.0%) groups (p = 0.020). CONCLUSIONS: The extracorporeal circular stapling and the intracorporeal linear stapling were safe and feasible in laparoscopic total gastrectomy, however, intracorporeal circular stapling increased EJ stenosis.

Overlap method versus functional method for esophagojejunal reconstruction using totally laparoscopic total gastrectomy.

BACKGROUND: Laparoscopic intracorporeal esophagojejunostomy (EJ) is a useful method in totally laparoscopic total gastrectomy (TLTG) for treating upper-third gastric cancer. The two methods of laparoscopic intracorporeal EJ-functional and overlap-have not been compared side-by-side in terms of safety and feasibility. METHODS: Retrospective review and analysis of the data of 490 consecutive patients who underwent TLTG by either functional method (n = 365) or overlap (n = 125) method for upper- or middle-third gastric cancer was conducted between January, 2011 and May, 2018 at Asan Medical Center (Seoul, Korea). One-to-one propensity score matching (PSM) was performed to compare age, sex, body mass index, American Society of Anesthesiologist score, the presence of comorbidity, number of comorbidities, clinical T stage, clinical nodal stage, clinical TNM stage, history of previous abdominal surgery, and combined surgery. After PSM, 244 patients were divided into functional method group and overlap method group (n = 122, each). The surgical outcomes and EJ-related complications were compared between the two groups. RESULTS: No significant difference was found between the two groups in terms of early surgical outcomes such as operative time, time to first flatus, postoperative hospital stay, transfusion during surgery, transfusion after surgery, and administration of analgesics. However, the pain score was significantly lower in overlap method group (6.21 ± 1.83) than functional method group (6.97 ± 2.09, p < 0.05). The overlap method was also associated with significantly fewer late complications (3.28% vs. 12.30%; p < 0.05), lower Clavien-Dindo classification grade (p < 0.05), and fewer EJ-related complications (0.82% vs. 6.56%; p < 0.05), as compared with the functional method. CONCLUSION: The overlap method was safer and more feasible than the functional method for TLTG in gastric cancer patients, based on the finding of significantly lower incidence of EJ-related complications.

Factors that promote successful endoscopic management of laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy leaks.

INTRODUCTION: Staple line leaks following laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) are associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Endoluminal techniques, including stent placement and endoluminal vacuum therapy (EVAC), have become viable options to treat these patients without the need for additional surgery. The purpose of this study was to define the conditions where certain endoscopic therapies are most likely to succeed compared to surgery. METHODS: An IRB approved prospectively maintained database was retrospectively reviewed for all patients treated for gastrointestinal leaks from July 2013 to March 2019. All patients who were treated for gastrointestinal leaks following LSG were included. Endpoints include success of leak closure and hospital-related morbidity for the patients treated solely by endoscopic only methods (EP) compared to the additional surgery group (SP). RESULTS: There were 39 patients (33 females; 6 males) with a median age of 45.9 years. The EP group included 23 patients (59%), whereas SP included 16 patients (31%). On average, the SP had longer days from sentinel surgery to our hospital admission (70 vs 41), a higher percentage of previous bariatric surgery prior to sentinel LSG (50% vs 17%), and a higher readmission rates following discharge (50% vs 39%). Total length of stay was also higher in the SP compared to the EP (45.4 vs 11). Using this data, a treatment algorithm was developed to optimally treat future patients who suffer from gastrointestinal leaks following LSG. CONCLUSIONS: Endoscopic therapies, such as EVAC, stent placement, internal drainage, and over-the-scope clips, have a higher chance of success if performed earlier to their sentinel surgery and if patients have had no prior bariatric surgeries. Patients who require additional surgery tend to have longer hospital stays and readmission rates. Using the treatment algorithm provided can help determine when endoscopic therapies are likely to succeed.

Esophagus two-step-cut overlap method in esophagojejunostomy after laparoscopic gastrectomy.

PURPOSE: Esophagojejunostomy is a challenging step in laparoscopic gastrectomy. Although the overlap method is a safe and feasible approach for esophagojejunostomy, it has several technical limitations. We developed novel modifications for the overlap method to overcome these disadvantages. METHODS: Forty-eight consecutive gastric cancer patients underwent totally laparoscopic total gastrectomy or laparoscopic proximal gastrectomy with double-tract reconstruction at our institution from January 2019 to April 2020 using the overlap method with the following modifications. The esophagus was initially rotated by 90° counterclockwise, followed by transection of two-thirds of the esophageal diameter. The unstapled esophagus was then transected with a harmonic ultrasonic scalpel to enable esophagostomy at the posterior side of the esophagus. A side-to-side esophagojejunostomy was then formed at the posterior side of the esophagus using an endoscopic linear stapler through the right lower trocar. The common entry hole was closed via hand sewing method using V-Loc suture. This procedure was termed "esophagus two-step-cut overlap method." RESULTS: Only one patient suffered from esophagojejunal anastomotic leakage but subsequently recovered after conservative treatment. Patients did not experience anastomotic bleeding or stricture. CONCLUSION: Our modified overlap method provides satisfactory surgical outcomes and overcomes several technical limitations, such as entering the false lumen of the esophagus, unnecessary pollution caused by nasogastric tube, and unintended left crus stapling during anastomosis.

Preventive procedure for stenosis after esophagojejunostomy using a circular stapler and transorally inserted anvil (OrVil™) following laparoscopic proximal gastrectomy and total gastrectomy involving reduction of anastomotic tension.

BACKGROUND: Recently, due to increasing reports of stenosis after esophagojejunostomy created using circular staplers and a transorally inserted anvil (OrVil™) following laparoscopic proximal gastrectomy (LPG) and total gastrectomy (LTG), linear staplers are being used instead. We investigated our preventive procedure for esophagojejunostomy stenosis following use of circular staplers. METHODS: Since the anastomotic stenosis is considered to be mainly caused by tension in the esophageal and jejunal stumps at the anastomotic site, we have been performing procedures to relieve this tension, by cutting off the rubber band and pushing the shaft of the circular stapler toward the esophageal side, since July 2015. We retrospectively compared the incidence of anastomotic stenosis in cases of LPG and LTG performed before July 2015 (early phase, 30 cases) versus those performed after this period (later phase, 22 cases). RESULTS: Comparison of the incidence of anastomotic stenosis according to the type of surgery, LPG or LTG, and between the two time periods versus all cases, indicated a significantly lower incidence in the later phase than in the early phase (4.5 vs. 26.7%, p < 0.05), especially for LPG (0 vs. 38.5%, p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: It is possible to use a circular stapler during laparoscopic esophagojejunostomy, as with open surgery, if steps to reduce tension on the anastomotic site are undertaken. These procedures will contribute to the spread of safe and simple laparoscopic anastomotic techniques.

Acidic Bile Salts Induce Epithelial to Mesenchymal Transition via VEGF Signaling in Non-Neoplastic Barrett's Cells.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Metaplastic glands buried under squamous epithelium are frequently detected in patients with Barrett esophagus (BE). This subsquamous intestinal metaplasia might be responsible for cancers that develop despite endoscopic surveillance and for metaplasia recurrences after endoscopic ablation. To determine whether reflux induces BE cells to undergo an epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) that produces subsquamous intestinal metaplasia, we assessed EMT in BE cells exposed to acidic bile salts and in rat and human esophageal tissues. METHODS: We compared markers of EMT and cell motility in trans-well and 3-dimensional organotypic culture systems among dysplastic BE epithelial cell lines, nondysplastic telomerase-immortalized BE cell lines (BAR-T), and BAR-T cells exposed acutely or for 20 weeks to acidic bile salts. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) A was inhibited with a neutralizing antibody or CRISPR-Cas9n and VEGF receptor 2 was inhibited with SU1498 or shRNA, and cells were analyzed by immunohistochemistry, quantitative polymerase chain reaction, or immunoblotting for markers of VEGF signaling and EMT; cell motility was assessed by trans-well assay. We used immunohistochemistry and quantitative polymerase chain reaction to assess EMT markers in the columnar-lined esophagus of rats with surgically induced reflux esophagitis and in esophagectomy specimens from patients with BE. RESULTS: We detected features of EMT (decreased cadherin 1 [CDH1]; increased fibronectin 1, vimentin, and matrix metalloproteinase 2; and increased motility) in dysplastic BE epithelial cell lines and in BAR-T cells exposed for 20 weeks, but not in unexposed BAR-T cells. Acute acidic bile salt exposure induced expression of zinc finger E-box binding homeobox 1 and 2 (ZEB1/2) in BAR-T cells, which decreased their expression of CDH1 and increased motility; inhibitors of VEGF signaling blocked these effects. Columnar-lined esophagus of rats with reflux esophagitis had increased expression of ZEB1/2 and decreased expression of CDH1 compared with controls. Dysplastic BE tissues also had significantly increased levels of ZEB1 and significantly decreased levels of CDH1 compared with nondysplastic BE tissues. CONCLUSIONS: In BE cell lines, acidic bile salts induce EMT by VEGF signaling, which increases expression of ZEB1/2, repressors of CDH1. These observations suggest that reflux induces EMT in metaplastic BE tissues, which promotes development of subsquamous intestinal metaplasia.

Linear or circular stapler? A propensity score-matched, multicenter analysis of intracorporeal esophagojejunostomy following totally laparoscopic total gastrectomy.

BACKGROUND: Presently, there is no consensus as to what procedure of intracorporeal esophagojejunostomy (EJS) in totally laparoscopic total gastrectomy (TLTG) is best to reduce postoperative complications. The aim of this study was to demonstrate the superiority of linear stapled reconstruction in terms of anastomotic-related complications for EJS in TLTG. METHODS: We collected data on 829 consecutive gastric cancer patients who underwent TLTG reconstructed by the Roux-en-Y method with radical lymphadenectomy between January 2010 and December 2016 in 13 hospitals. The patients were divided into two groups according to reconstruction method and matched by propensity score. Postoperative EJS-related complications were compared between the linear stapler (LS) and the circular stapler (CS) groups. RESULTS: After matching, data from 196 patients in each group were analyzed. The overall incidence of EJS-related complications was significantly lower in the LS group than in the CS group (4.1% vs. 11.7%, p = 0.008). The incidence of EJS anastomotic stenosis during the first year after surgery was significantly lower in the LS group than in the CS group (1.5% vs. 7.1%, p = 0.011). The incidence of EJS bleeding did not differ significantly between the groups, although no bleeding was observed in the LS group (0% vs. 2.0%, p = 0.123). The incidence of EJS leakage did not differ significantly between the groups (2.6% vs. 3.6%, p = 0.771). CONCLUSION: The use of linear stapled reconstruction is safer than the use of circular stapled reconstruction for intracorporeal EJS in TLTG because of its lower risks of stenosis.

Four stay-sutures method: a simplified hand-sewn purse-string suture in laparoscopic circular-stapled esophagojejunostomy.

Laparoscopic esophagojejunostomy is a challenging procedure because of its technical difficulty. We herein report a new method involving circular-stapled anastomosis using a hand-sewn suture with four stay-sutures and evaluate its outcomes. Esophagojejunostomy using this method was performed in 36 consecutive patients with clinical stage I gastric cancer at the authors' institutions. The key feature of our procedure was the placement of four full-thickness stay-sutures to anchor the esophageal stump prior to the hand-sewn purse-string suture. The median operation time and mean anvil fixation time were 315.5 and 21.9 min, respectively. The mortality rate was 0%, although anastomotic leakage following esophagojejunostomy was observed in 1 patient (2.8%), and anastomotic stenosis was observed in another patient (2.8%). Intracorporeal esophagojejunostomy using the four stay-sutures method appears to be safe and feasible. We believe that this method enables hand-sewn purse-string suturing to be performed more easily.

Intracorporeal esophagojejunostomy using a linear stapler in laparoscopic total gastrectomy: comparison with circular stapling technique.

BACKGROUND: Laparoscopic total gastrectomy for gastric cancer is feasible but less commonly performed compared to laparoscopic distal gastrectomy due to technical difficulties such as reconstruction. There is no standard esophagojejunal anastomosis technique in laparoscopic total gastrectomy due to a lack of evidence. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed data from 213 patients with gastric cancer who underwent laparoscopic total gastrectomy from October 2012 to December 2016. Of these, 109 and 104 patients underwent esophagojejunostomy with linear and circular stapling, respectively. We compared short-term postoperative outcomes, including surgical complications and anastomosis costs between both groups. RESULTS: The mean operation time in the linear stapler group was longer than the circular stapler group (Linear stapler, 235.3 ± 57.9 vs. Circular stapler, 217.1 ± 55.8 min; P = 0.021); however, D2 lymph node dissection was performed more in the linear stapler group (Linear stapler, 36.7% vs. Circular stapler, 23.1%; P = 0.030). There were two anastomosis leakages in each group (Linear stapler, 1.8% vs. Circular stapler, 1.9%; P > 0.999). Anastomosis stenosis only occurred in the circular stapler group (Linear stapler, 0% vs. Circular stapler, 7.7%; P = 0.003). Although the linear stapling technique used more stapler cartridges (Linear stapler, 7.6 ± 1.1 vs. Circular stapler, 4.8 ± 0.9; P < 0.001), costs related to anastomosis were lower in the linear stapler group (Linear stapler, 1,904,679 ± 342,116 vs. Circular stapler, 2,246,150 ± 427,136KRW; P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Esophagojejunostomy with the linear stapling technique reduces anastomosis stenosis in laparoscopic total gastrectomy. It can be recommended as a safe and more cost-effective method for esophagojejunal anastomosis.