Evaluation of postoperative quality of life by PGSAS-45 following local gastrectomy based on the sentinel lymph node concept in early gastric cancer.

BACKGROUND: The usefulness of sentinel node navigation surgery (SNNS) for early gastric cancer has been demonstrated in a multicenter prospective study. However, quality of life (QOL) after local resection remains unclear. This present study investigated QOL after local resection and distal gastrectomy. METHODS: We examined 69 patients who underwent laparoscopic distal gastrectomy (LADG) (n = 44) and laparoscopic local resection (LLR) (n = 25) in our hospital between September 2011 and May 2018. We conducted a combination of laparoscopic and endoscopic approaches to neoplasia with non-exposure technique (CLEAN-NET) with SNNS as LLR. All patients had pStage I or II and none had received adjuvant chemotherapy. We evaluated QOL using the postgastrectomy syndrome assessment scale questionnaire (PGSAS-45) 1, 6, and 12 months after surgery. RESULTS: In PGSAS-45, no significant differences were observed between LLR and LADG at 1 and 6 months after surgery. At 12 months, the LLR group scored better for some of the subscales (SS). In the endoscopic evaluation, the LLR group showed significant improvements in residual gastritis at 6 months (P = 0.006) and esophageal reflux and residual gastritis at 12 months (P = 0.021 and P = 0.017). A significant difference was observed in the prognostic nutritional index, which was assessed using serum samples, between the two groups at 6 months (P = 0.028). The body weight ratio was better in the LLR group than in the LADG group at 6 and 12 months (P = 0.041 and P = 0.007, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: CLEAN-NET with SNNS preserved a better QOL and nutrition status than LADG in patients with early gastric cancer.

[RESULTS OF GASTROPLASTY, USING ILEOCECAL SEGMENT OF INTESTINE AFTER COMBINED GASTRECTOMY].

Results of treatment of 18 patients for locally spread gastric cancer, in whom after combined gastrectomy gastroplasty was accomplished, using ileocecal intestinal segment (the main group), were presented. In a comparison group 20 patients were included, in whom after combined gastrectomy end-to-loop esophagojejunoanastomosis was formated. Early postoperative complications have occurred in the main group--in 7 (38.8%) patients, and in comparison group--in 6 (30%). Postoperatively 2 (11.1%) and 2 (10%) patients died, accordingly. Gastroplasty, using ileo-cecal intestinal segment, have promoted reduction of the remote postgastrectomy syndromes occurrence rate from 58.8 to 11.1%. In a comparison group median survival was 18.6 mo, and in the main--a survival mediana was not achieved, because the investigation still goes on.

[Nutritional status in patients after gastrectomy due to gastric cancer].

UNLABELLED: Aim of the study was to evaluate nutritional status in patients after gastrectomy due to gastric cancer. METHODS: In 55 (26 males and 29 females) gastric cancer patients after gastrectomy body composition (bioimpedansometry method); resting energy expenditures and home actual nutrition (frequency analysis method) were evaluated. Blood levels of major nutrients and metabolites were assessed. RESULTS: Both men and women suffered from weight loss after gastrectomy (mean BMI was 19,8+/-4,7 kg/m2 in men and 20,5+/-1,9 in women). Higher BMI was positively correlated with age in women (R=0,45; p<0,03), but not in men, however there was no difference in mean age and mean time after gastrectomy between men and women. Mean body fat mass significantly decreased in men (7,4+/-5,0 kg) and in women (12,0+/-7,1 kg) in compare to normal values (18,2 and 22,5 correspondingly) (p<0,001). Resting energy expenditure variably decreased (for 13-53%) in half of the patients, mainly due to decrease in lipid oxidation rate. Mean daily energy intake was lower than normal in short-term (1359 kcal in period of 12 months) and long-term (1814 kcal in 1-5 years period) after gastrectomy, due to decrease consumption of proteins, carbohydrates and fat. Mean blood total protein, hemoglobin and hematocrit levels were lower than normal values in 40% of patients. CONCLUSION: In gastric cancer patients low BMI, low fat mass and energy consumption are observed even long period of time after gastrectomy. Dietary counseling and support are badly needed in patients short-term as well as long-term period after gastrectomy in men and younger women.

Total gastrectomy causes a sustained, long-term elevation of somatostatin in plasma, independent of the mode of reconstruction in pigs.

AIM: The long-term effects of gastrectomy and various reconstructions of the gastrointestinal tract on fasting plasma levels of gastrointestinal hormones known to contribute to the control of gastrointestinal motor function were evaluated in pigs. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Domestic pigs were randomly selected to sham surgery or total gastrectomy (TG) followed by reconstruction with oesophago-jejunostomy on a Roux-en-Y loop (OJRY), jejunal interposition between the oesophagus and the duodenum (OJD), or an oesophagojejunostomy with a proximal jejunal pouch reservoir (J-pouch) on a Roux-en-Y loop. Blood was collected just before surgery and ten weeks later and peptide levels were analysed by radioimmunoassay. RESULTS: Somatostatin levels were sustained at a high level after TG, regardless of the mode of reconstruction, but were significantly lower in sham-operated animals. Levels of vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP), neurotensin and motilin were unchanged. CONCLUSION: TG by itself leads to high levels of somatostatin long term, however, somatostatin, motilin, neurotensin and VIP are unaffected by the mode of reconstruction.

Jejunal pouch reconstruction but not preservation of duodenal passage after total gastrectomy reduces plasma cholecystokinin and pancreatic polypeptide long term in pigs.

AIM: The long-term effects of reconstructions of the gastrointestinal tract after gastrectomy on plasma levels of gastrointestinal hormones that contribute to food intake controls were evaluated. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Domestic pigs were randomly assigned to sham-surgery or total gastrectomy followed by reconstruction with oesophagojejunostomy on a Roux-en-Y loop (OJRY), jejunal interposition between the oesophagus and the duodenum (OJD), or an oesophagojejunostomy with a jejunal pouch reservoir (J-pouch) on a Roux-en-Y loop. Plasma levels of peptides were analysed by radioimmunoassay (RIA). RESULTS: Ten weeks after surgery, levels of cholecystokinin (CCK) and pancreatic polypeptide (PP) were significantly lowered (79.6% and 67.0%, respectively) in animals with a J-pouch, but not in sham-operated animals or animals with OJRY or OJD, as compared to preoperative levels. The levels of neuropeptide Y (NPY) and peptide YY (PYY) remained unchanged, irrespective of the mode of reconstruction. CONCLUSION: J-pouch, but not preservation of duodenal passage after total gastrectomy, lowers levels of CCK and PP, peptides that reduce food intake.

Endoscopic 13C-urea breath test for detection of Helicobacter pylori infection after partial gastrectomy.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: It is difficult to interpret the results of 13C-urea breath test (UBT) in gastrectomy patients because the test urea may pass through the stomach faster. The aim of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of the modified endoscopic UBT for detection of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection in the residual stomach. METHODOLOGY: An endoscopic UBT was performed in 44 patients who had undergone partial gastrectomy. At endoscopy, 20 mL of water containing 100mg of 13C-urea were sprayed onto the gastric mucosa and an intragastric gas sample was immediately collected through the biopsy channel. Breath samples were collected at 20 min after spraying 13C-urea. RESULTS: The intragastric delta13CO2 value in H. pylori-positive patients was significantly higher than those of 20-minute breath samples. The maximum sensitivity and specificity of intragastric samples were 97% and 100% with cutoff point of 5 per thousand, respectively. The sensitivity and specificity of breath samples at 20 min were 71.4% and 66.7% with cutoff point of 0.6 per thousand, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: An endoscopic UBT was superior to a standard UBT to detect H. pylori infection after partial gastrectomy.

Long-term consequences of total gastrectomy: quality of life, nutritional status, bacterial overgrowth and adaptive changes in esophagojejunostomic mucosa.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of the study was to evaluate long-term quality of life and adaptive changes in the mucosa of the proximal section of the small intestine used for esophagojejunostomy reconstruction in stomach cancer patients after total gastrectomy. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Thirty-one patients who had undergone stomach cancer-related total gastrectomy were included in the study, which spanned a period of 48 to 127 months (79.6 months on the average) after the surgery. The analysis included: a) evaluation of selected biochemical parameters; b) microbiological evaluation of esophagojejunostomic area; c) evaluation of adaptive changes in esophagojejunostomic mucosa using light and electron microscopy; d) quality of life evaluation with a Troidl questionnaire. RESULTS: Quality of life was subjectively rated as good or very good by almost all subjects. The analyzed biochemical parameters were within the range of normal values in all the subjects with the exception of mild abnormalities in alkaline phosphatase and vitamin B12 levels in some patients. Microbiological examination of mucosal specimens from below the esophagojejunostomy revealed significant bacterial flora overgrowth in all the patients, with streptococci being the most abundant species. Light and electron microscopy examination of the epithelium confirmed it was normal and characteristic of a healthy small intestine. CONCLUSIONS: Long-term quality of life in patients after complete stomach resection is considered good or very good, irrespective of the reconstruction method used, and the esophagojejunostomic mucosa of the reconstructed area is normal and typical for a healthy small intestine.

Pathological features and mucin histochemistry of primary gastric stump carcinoma associated with gastritis cystica polyposa. A study of six cases.

Six unusual cases of primary gastric stump carcinoma associated with gastritis cystica polyposa and arising in old gastrojejunostomy stomas are presented. The clinical data, the gross and microscopic pathological features, and the histochemical mucin profile of these two lesions are described in detail. A review is undertaken of the most relevant and previously published reports concerning, separately, either primary gastric stump carcinoma or gastritis cystica polyposa. The findings available in these reports are compared with those observed in our six cases. Some aspects of gastritis cystica polyposa are not unlike those seen in the solitary ulcer syndrome of the rectum and Ménétrier's disease. The histological type and mucin profile of primary gastric stump carcinoma parallel those recorded in gastric cancer arising in the unoperated stomach. However, the role of intestinal metaplasia and its histochemical typing appear somewhat different in primary gastric stump carcinoma.

Multiple malignant carcinoids of the stomach.

A patient had multiple malignant carcinoids of the stomach. She is alive without evidence of recurrent disease or manifestations of the carcinoid syndrome almost seven years after total gastrectomy, demonstrating the favorable prognosis that follows aggressive surgical excision, even in the presence of lymph node metastases.

Different characteristics of carcinoma in the gastric remnant: histochemical and immunohistochemical studies.

Seventy cases of cancer of the gastric remnant were divided into three groups: 33 cases following surgery for benign disease (group A), and 15 cases occurring more than 10 years and 22 cases occurring within 10 years after the first gastrectomy for malignant disease (groups B and C, respectively). Then mucin histochemical and immunohistochemical studies were undertaken. Billroth-II procedure for anastomosis was most frequently performed in group A. Intestinal metaplasia within the mucosa surrounding the carcinomas was more frequently present in groups A and C with a diffuse distribution. Intestinal-type surrounding mucosa was significantly more frequent in group C. The immunohistochemical expression of p53 protein was most frequently expressed in group B. We conclude that a different mechanism of carcinogenesis exists in these three groups; i) group A: the reflux of duodenal juice especially following B-II procedures leads to progression of the carcinoma. ii) group B: some genetic factor such as p53 may be related to the metachronous multiple carcinogenesis. iii) group C: metachronous multiple carcinogenesis within the short interval may be closely associated with diffuse intestinal metaplasia in the surrounding mucosa.

Regurgitant bile acids and mucosal injury of the gastric remnant after partial gastrectomy.

Three groups, each consisting of seven patients who had undergone either Billroth I, Billroth II, or pylorus-preserving gastrectomies, were evaluated more than 18 months postoperatively in terms of concentration and amount of bile acids in the gastric aspirate and histologic changes in the gastric remnant mucosa. Concentrations of bile acids were determined by gas chromatography and mucosal specimens were obtained by endoscopic biopsy. The total bile acid concentration and all of the individual fractional bile acid levels, whether free or conjugated, were significantly higher in the Billroth II group than in the other two groups. The amount of gastric aspirate was also highest in the Billroth II group. Endoscopic biopsy revealed glandular dysplasia to be predominantly in the Billroth II group. The presence of bile acids in the gastric remnant may contribute to mucosal injury, possibly leading to cancer in the gastric remnant, especially after the Billroth II operation.

Atypias, dysplasias, and neoplasias of the esophagus and stomach.

Our understanding of the origin and evolution of gastrointestinal mucosal dysplasias and neoplasias has been greatly expanded in recent years by the marked increase in the number of endoscopic biopsies, which are facilitated by the use of flexible instruments with a remarkable safety record. The availability of specimens and the development of special procedures to examine them allows the detailed study of the normal and abnormal gastrointestinal mucosa, as determined by histochemical procedures. Similarly, immunocytochemistry has been used to determine the presence of oncofetal antigens as an expression of neoplastic transformation and/or evolution. Finally, the ease of repeat endoscopic procedures has permitted close observation of the natural or therapeutically modified history of mucosal lesions. The majority of the pathologic findings were in specimens obtained during endoscopic procedures ("grasp or pinch biopsies"), which generally yield superficial fragments of mucosa. Suction biopsies have been recently proposed as an alternative since such specimens contain portions of the whole mucosal layer and part of the submucosa. Our institution performs over 3,000 endoscopic procedures per year; the experience gathered with this material constitutes the basis for this review of esophageal and gastric preneoplastic and neoplastic mucosal lesions obtained by endoscopic and suction biopsies. Data obtained from conventional surgical specimens are also included.

Correlation between lowered PgE2 levels and alkaline reflux gastritis in patients subjected to Billroth II. Pylorogastrectomy: possible improvement with sulglycotide.

In patients subjected to pylorogastrectomy with anterior gastroenterostomy (Billroth's operation II) the remaining gastric mucosa is exposed to the damaging action of bile with consequent reduction of locally generated prostaglandins. The purpose of the present study was to explore the correlation between PgE2 levels in such postgastrectomy patients before and after treatment with sulglycotide. Twelve patients with clinical, endoscopic and histological evidence of alkaline reflux gastritis were treated with sulglycotide in daily doses of 1600 mg for 30 days. At termination there was a definite clinical, endoscopic and histological improvement with significant (p less than 0.001) increase of PgE2 levels.

Gastric juice nitrite and bacteria in gastroduodenal disease and resected stomach.

The N-nitroso-compounds and the bacteriological contamination of gastric juice could represent a risk factor for cancer of the stomach when the mucosal barrier is altered. In the unresected stomach and gastric stump, the hypo-achlorhydria and bilopancreatic reflux permit the development of bacterial flora and the production of N-nitroso-compounds in the presence of nitrite. A survey was performed on 71 patients: 15 normal controls, 31 with gastroduodenal disease (9 gastrites, 10 gastric ulcers, 10 duodenal ulcers, 7 neoplasias), 20 patients with gastric resection (8 BI, 12 BII), using an endoscopic-histopathologic control and a chemical-bacteriological analysis of the gastric juice. We studied the gastric juice for the following parameters: pH, concentration of nitrite, identification of bacterial type, count and nitrate-reductase activity. An inverse relationship was found between the concentration of nitrite and the hydrogen ion concentration. In the alkaline gastric juice, we identified aerobic bacteria with nitrate-reductase activity and anaerobic bacteria. The latter has the ability to transform biliary salts into carcinogenic and cocarcinogenic compounds and to catalyze the nitrosations. The chemicobacteriological characteristics of the gastric juice from gastric ulcers (Johnson type I), atrophic gastrites, and resected stomachs lead one to think that there is a risk of carcinogenesis brought about by the N-nitroso-compounds.

Ultrastructural changes in the small bowel epithelium after total gastrectomy.

The purpose of the study was to analyze ultrastructural changes in the small bowel mucosa in patients after total gastrectomy. We studied mucosal specimens obtained from 25 patients during control gastroscopy. The specimens were routinely processed for examination in transmission electron microscopy. Early after the operation (up to 6 months) we observed marked inflammatory reaction, disordered architecture of the small bowel mucosa epithelium, the presence of dysplasia-like changes and foci of dysplasia. Later on the structure of the mucosa returned to normality. Only a few dysplastic changes were seen. No relationship was found between altered epithelial structure and type of operation. In conclusion, the epithelium of the small bowel does not transform to a gastric type epithelium.

[Milk intolerance, lactose intolerance and lactase deficiency in partial resection of the stomach]. / Milchintoleranz, Lactoseintoleranz und Lactasemangel nach Magenteilresketion

Of 40 patients with a partial gastrectomy (Billroth-II) 10 developed a milk intolerance and 11 had a lactase deficiency, the latter in 4 cases appearing together with a decrease in other disaccharidases. Only 2 of the 11 lactase-deficient patients complained of milk intolerance. The Ethanol lactose tolerance test (ELTT) was performed in 21 patients and was found to be abnormal in 6. Whereas cases of abnormal ELTT usually (4 of 6 cases) showed a lactase deficiency, only 2 patients with milk intolerance showed an abnormal ELTT and lactase deficiency. Milk intolerance can therefore only exceptionally be explained by lactase deficiency, and lack of lactase in the upper jejunum usually does not produce intolerance symptoms. Moreover, in comparable determinations from the afferent and efferent jejunal loop no differences in enzyme activities could be observed.

[Alkaline gastritis. Gastric reoperations]. / Gastritis alcalina. Reoperaciones gástricas.

The authors present 23 cases (1.6%) of reoperated patients with alkaline gastritis syndrome at Dr. Bonorino Udaondo National Gastroenterology Hospital. Over 1400 surgical operations performed in order to treat the gastroduodenal ulcer disease; 19 patients showed an evident syndrome of alkaline gastritis and the rest of cases had a mixed syndrome, because of another syndromes. The initial operation was a gastric resection Billroth II type in 22 cases and the rest are had a vagotomy with a gastroenterostomy. In all the cases, clinical, radiological, laboratory, endoscopy and histopathology aspects as well as Kay and Hollander test were studied. The modified surgical operations were: Soupault-Bucaille with isoperistaltic loop (7 cases), with anisoperistaltic loop Poth type (1 case), reoperations with the Y en Roux technique (14 cases), desgastroenterostomy, closing of the jejunal and gastric drainage and pyloroplasty (1 case). It was fulfilled with a vagotomy. The 50% of the cases have to 8 years after the operation; another were reexamined at 100 and 15 years being without symptoms.

Partial gastrectomy for peptic ulcer by the Krønlein method. An outpatient follow-up study 12 years later with particular reference to endoscopy with biopsy and brush cytology and to clinical-chemical and radiological results.

Forty-six patients were studied 12 years after partial gastrectomy for peptic ulcer. They had all been subjected to a standard Billroth II type operation as described by Krønlein, with emphasis laid upon the transverse position of the gastrojejunostomy. The clinical examination was supplemented by an outpatient gastroscopy with photography, biopsy and brush cytology, and by a series of blood analyses and X-ray of the gastric remnant. The general finding on gastroscopy was a slightly injected mucosa with flattened folds near the anastomosis, no or slight reflux of bile. The cytological examination revealed metaplasia in 7.5-15 per cent of the specimens, no sign of dysplasia or carcinoma. Biopsy showed severe atrophic gastritis in 0-13 per cent of the specimens, slight to moderate in 58-96 per cent, no signs of cellular atypia or irregular arrangements. Judged by the results of blood analyses a deficiency in iron, Vitamin B12 or both, was demonstrated in about 25 per cent of patients and of these more than 50 per cent were anaemic. X-ray examination showed that 70 per cent of the patients had an emptying time of the gastric remnant of 10-20 minutes. A transverse position of the anastomosis could be demonstrated in about 67 per cent. The necessity of a close follow-up of these patients is stressed.

[Morphology of the pancreas in peptic ulcer and the complications of stomach resection]. / Morfologiia podzheludochnoi zhelezy pri iazvennoi bolezni i oslozhneniiakh rezektsii zheludka.

Morphological examinations of 115 biopsies of the pancreas showed the peptic ulcer and postgastroresection complications not to be the leading factors in the etiology of the pancreatic pathology. Gastric resection does not favour the affection of the pancreas but may aggravate the existing morphological lesions. Despite the lack of crude histological changes in the pancreatic gland in peptic ulcer, ultrastructural signs of a high functional intensity of acinary cells were found which may also be regarded as pathological manifestations. Most marked changes of the histostructure of the pancreatic gland were found in peptic ulcer of the gastroenteroanastomosis. A difference in the A-cell content of pancreatic insulae before and after gastric resection was found. As the pancreatic tissue is frequently intact in the afferent loop syndrome, the leading role of duodenostasis in chronic affection of the pancreatic gland may be disputed.

[Absorption disorders following gastric resection--morphological and enzyme-histochemical observations on the small intestinal mucosa].

For the purpose of studying digestion and absorption disorders following stomach surgery, particularly with respect to membrane digestive functional disorders, morphological and enzyme-histochemical observation of the small intestinal mucosa was performed, and a comparison was done between the partial gastrectomy group (59 cases), and the total gastrectomy group (52 cases). The following results were obtained: 1) The small intestinal mucosa showed a tendency to significant villous atrophy in post-operative groups. 2) There was a significant decrease in the disaccharidase activity, especially in the small intestine of the total gastrectomy group. ALP, LAP and gamma-GPT activity also decreased, or disappeared in the small intestines showing villous atrophy. 3) In the atrophied mucosa which showed a marked decrease in membraneous enzyme activity, poorly-formed, irregularly sized microvilli accompanied by glycocalyx irregularity and disappearance were recognized under the electron microscope. The above mentioned morphological and enzyme-histological findings in the small intestinal mucosa, were strongly reflected in both post-operative progress and clinical symptoms.