Clinical Impact of Polyglycolic Acid Mesh to Reduce Pancreas-Related Complications After Minimally Invasive Surgery for Gastric Cancer: A Propensity Score Matching Analysis.

PURPOSE: Prevention of pancreas-related complications after gastric cancer surgery is critical. Polyglycolic acid (PGA) mesh reduces postoperative pancreatic fistula formation following pancreatic resection. However, the clinical efficacy of PGA mesh in gastric cancer surgery has not been adequately investigated. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This retrospective study compared the short-term outcomes between two groups: patients who underwent minimally invasive R0 gastrectomy for gastric cancer with the use of a PGA mesh (PGA group) and those without the use of a PGA mesh (non-PGA group) at the Cancer Institute Hospital, Tokyo, between January 2019 and May 2023. Propensity score matching (PSM) was performed to adjust for the possible confounding factors. RESULTS: A total of 834 patients were initially included, of whom 614 (307 in each group) remained after PSM. The amylase levels in the drained abdominal fluid on postoperative days 1 and 3 were similar between the PGA and non-PGA groups. The PGA group had a significantly lower incidence of pancreas-related complications of Clavien-Dindo grade ≥2 than that in the non-PGA group (6.8% vs. 2.9%, P=0.025). In subgroup analyses, the odds ratio for pancreas-related complications appeared to be better in the PGA group than in the non-PGA group in patients with American Society of Anesthesiologists Physical Status Classification score of 2 or 3, those operated via a laparoscopic approach, and those undergoing procedures other than proximal gastrectomy. CONCLUSIONS: The use of PGA mesh significantly reduced pancreas-related complications after minimally invasive surgery for gastric cancer and might thus benefit patients at risk of such complications.

Equal short-term outcomes of intracorporeal mechanical gastrogastrostomy in laparoscopic pylorus-preserving gastrectomy for cT1N0 gastric cancer in the middle stomach compared with the extracorporeal hand-sewing method.

BACKGROUND: Intracorporeal mechanical gastrogastrostomy (IMG) techniques have recently been developed and their short-term safety was presented in their initial evaluation. However, whether they are comparable to extracorporeal hand-sewing gastrogastrostomy (EHG) remains unclear. The aim of the study is to establish the safety of IMG in totally laparoscopic pylorus-preserving gastrectomy (TLPPG) compared to EHG in laparoscopy-assisted pylorus-preserving gastrectomy (LAPPG). METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed the short-term outcomes of patients with middle-third early gastric cancer who underwent LAPPG or TLPPG between 2005 and 2022. The primary objective of this study was to evaluate the non-inferiority of IMG to EHG in terms of safety, with the primary endpoint being the risk difference in anastomosis-related complications (ARCs). The sample size required to achieve a statistical power of 80% for the non-inferiority test was 971 with a one-sided alpha level of 5% and non-inferiority of 5%. RESULTS: The analysis included a total of 1,021 patients who underwent LAPPG or TLPPG during the study period. Among them, 488 patients underwent EHG, while 533 underwent IMG. The incidences of ARCs were 11.3% and 11.4% in EHG and IMG, respectively. The observed difference in incidence was 0.0017 (90% confidence interval - 0.0313 to 0.0345), which statistically demonstrated the non-inferiority of IMG to EHG in the incidence of ARCs. Among other complications, the incidence of wound infection in IMG was lower than that in EHG. CONCLUSION: IMG is safe regarding ARCs compared with EHG. These results will encourage surgeons to introduce IMG for patients with early middle gastric cancer.

Adequate gross resection margin length ensuring pathologically complete resection in gastrectomy for gastric cancer: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Aim: A positive resection margin (RM) is associated with poor survival after gastrectomy for gastric cancer (GC). However, the adequate RM length to avoid a positive RM remains controversial. We performed a systematic review to examine the RM length required to avoid a positive RM in gastrectomy for GC. Methods: This systematic review involved all relevant articles identified in PubMed, the Cochrane Library, Web of Science, and ClinicalTrials.gov until August 2023. The incidence of a positive RM related to the RM length and the possible incidence of a positive RM estimated from the discrepancy between the gross and pathological RM length were evaluated. The Newcastle-Ottawa Scale was used to quantify study quality. Results: Thirteen studies involving 8983 patients were analyzed. Investigation of the incidence of a positive RM in relation to the RM length showed that a proximal RM length of 6 cm guaranteed a negative RM in gastrectomy. Analyses of the possible incidence of a positive RM revealed that a negative RM would be guaranteed if the proximal RM length was 6 cm in distal gastrectomy, if the esophageal resection length was 2 cm in total gastrectomy for GC without esophageal invasion and 2.5 cm in total or proximal gastrectomy for GC with esophageal invasion or esophagogastric junction cancer, and if the distal RM length was 4 cm in proximal gastrectomy for early GC. Conclusions: The adequate RM lengths to ensure a pathologically negative RM in each type of gastrectomy for GC were herein suggested.

Perioperative or neoadjuvant chemotherapy for locally advanced gastric or gastroesophageal junction cancer: from independent evidence in the West, the East, and Japan to global collaboration.

The survival outcome of patients with locally advanced gastric or gastroesophageal junction (G/GEJ) cancer remains unsatisfactory, and improvements in survival and recurrence remain urgent issues for clinicians worldwide. Prior to the 2000s, locally advanced G/GEJ was a different disease between the West and the East regarding diagnosis, surgery, and prognosis. However, recent advances in medical oncology have set the stage for harmonization. Herein, this review highlights clinical trials of perioperative or neoadjuvant chemotherapy conducted during the past two decades to provide insights into future directions. We focused on pivotal clinical trials of perioperative or neoadjuvant chemotherapy for patients with locally advanced G/GEJ cancer. We paid special attention to the indication and oncological outcomes of perioperative or neoadjuvant chemotherapy. The attempts to investigate the optimal treatment strategy for locally advanced G/GEJ cancer over the past 20 years have resulted in a global consensus on the necessity of perioperative or neoadjuvant chemotherapy, although there have been different circumstances regarding treatment for G/GEJ cancer among the West, the East other than Japan, and Japan. Two randomized global phase III trials, the KEYNOTE-585 and MATTHERHORN, were successfully accomplished for a common indication. Furthermore, perioperative immunotherapy suggested a new indication with molecular biomarkers such as microsatellite status or PD-L1 status beyond the conventional tumor-lymph node-metastasis (TNM) staging system. Global studies provide the stage for discussing the future optimal indication of neoadjuvant chemotherapy, opening the door for future global collaborations to better treat patients with locally advanced G/GEJ cancer.

Impact of preoperative prealbumin levels on long-term prognosis in patients with gastric cancer after gastrectomy: a retrospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: The relationship between preoperative prealbumin levels and long-term prognoses in patients with gastric cancer after gastrectomy has not been fully investigated. This study clarified the effect of preoperative prealbumin levels on the long-term prognosis of patients with gastric cancer after gastrectomy. METHODS: This retrospective cohort study included consecutive patients who underwent radical gastrectomy for primary pStage I-III gastric cancer and whose preoperative prealbumin levels were measured between May 2006 and March 2017. Participants were categorized according to their preoperative prealbumin levels into high (≥22 mg/dL), moderate (15-22 mg/dL), and low (<15 mg/dL) groups. The overall survival (OS) in the three groups was compared using the log-rank test, and prognostic factors were identified using Cox proportional hazards regression analysis. RESULTS: The median follow-up duration was 66 months. Of 4732 patients, 3649 (77.2%) were classified as high, 925 (19.6%) as moderate, and 158 (3.3%) as low. Lower prealbumin levels were associated with poorer prognoses (P < 0.001). Multivariate analysis showed that prealbumin levels of 15-22 mg/dL [hazard ratio (HR): 1.576, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.353-1.835, P < 0.001] and <15 mg/dL (HR: 1.769, 95% CI: 1.376-2.276, P < 0.001) were independent poor prognostic factors for OS. When analyzed according to the cause of death, prealbumin levels were associated with other-cause survival, but not cancer-specific survival. CONCLUSIONS: Preoperative prealbumin levels correlated with OS in patients with gastric cancer after gastrectomy; the lower the prealbumin level, the worse is the prognosis. Prealbumin levels may be associated with other-cause survival.

Long-term impact of sarcopenia in older patients undergoing gastrectomy for gastric cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Sarcopenia is an inevitable problem in older patients. After gastrectomy, patients often have an inadequate dietary intake and easily fall into sarcopenia. However, the impact of preoperative sarcopenia on long-term outcomes after gastrectomy has not been analyzed. Methods: A systematic review was conducted for all relevant articles identified on PubMed, the Cochrane Library, Web of Science, and ClinicalTrials.gov until April 2023. Adjusted hazard ratios (HRs) and odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated using the fixed or random effects model according to the heterogeneity. The Newcastle-Ottawa Scale was used to quantify study quality. Results: Seven studies involving 1,831 patients aged ≥65 years who underwent gastrectomy for gastric cancer were analyzed. Four hundred twelve patients (22.5%) were diagnosed with sarcopenia. The analysis showed that preoperative sarcopenia was significantly associated with poor overall survival (OS) (HR =1.93; 95% CI:1.60-2.34; P<0.001). Two of the included studies also showed that preoperative sarcopenia was significantly correlated with disease-related survival: one with disease-specific survival (DSS) (HR =4.00; 95% CI: 1.20-13.3, P=0.024) and the other with non-cancer specific survival (HR =3.27; 95% CI: 1.61-6.67; P=0.001). Furthermore, sarcopenic patients experienced more severe complications than non-sarcopenic patients (OR =1.80; 95% CI: 1.10-2.95; P=0.019). Conclusions: This meta-analysis suggested that preoperative sarcopenia is useful as a prognostic factor of impaired OS in older patients after gastrectomy. Preoperative evaluation and intervention for skeletal muscle loss should be considered. Further studies of sarcopenic impact on disease-related survival are required.

Randomized phase II study comparing neoadjuvant 5-fluorouracil/oxaliplatin/docetaxel versus docetaxel/oxaliplatin/S-1 for patients with type 4 or large type 3 gastric cancer.

Macroscopic type 4 and large type 3 gastric cancer, mostly overlapping with scirrhous or linitis plastica type, exhibit a highly invasive nature and show unfavorable prognosis after curative surgery, even with adjuvant chemotherapy. A randomized phase III trial (JCOG0501) failed to demonstrate a survival advantage of neoadjuvant chemotherapy with S-1 plus cisplatin for this population. The current authors initiated a randomized phase II study comparing neoadjuvant chemotherapy with 5-fluorouracil/oxaliplatin/docetaxel versus docetaxel/oxaliplatin/S-1 for type 4 and large type 3 gastric cancer. 76 patients are planned to be enrolled over two years. The primary end point is the proportion of patients with a pathological response (grade 1b or higher) and secondary end points include overall survival and adverse events. Clinical Trial Registration: jRCTs031230231 (rctportal.niph.go.jp).

Robotic Splenic Vessels Preserving Distal Pancreatectomy in a Post-Distal Gastrectomy Patient.

BACKGROUND: The optimal procedure during distal pancreatectomy (DP) for patients who have undergone distal gastrectomy (DG) remains unclear. Several papers on remnant gastric ischemia have reported that the preserved splenic vessels are essential for the proximal remnant stomach.1-4 We evaluated the outcomes of DP for post-DG patients in our hospital and introduced robotic splenic vessels preserving DP (R-SPDP). METHODS: Postoperative short-term outcomes of DP for post-DG patients during 2014 and 2021 were evaluated. Next, R-SPDP was performed for a post-DG patient with the intention of preserving the remnant stomach safely. The double bipolar method was used to dissect the adhesions around the splenic vessels.5,6 The splenic artery was clamped at the root side to prevent bleeding.7 All short gastric arteries and veins, which were the main feeders of the remnant stomach, were preserved and resection was completed. After resection, the indocyanine green (ICG) fluorescence angiography confirmed blood flow in the short gastric arteries and veins and good return blood flow to the splenic vein.8 RESULTS: Of four patients (50.0%, of 8 DP patients) in whom the remnant stomach was preserved, one conventional DP case had poor ICG perfusion and presented with remnant stomach ischemia postoperatively. The R-SPDP case with good ICG perfusion had a total operation time of 371 minutes and intraoperative blood loss of 10 mL. The oral diet was started on postoperative Day 3, and the postoperative course was uneventful. CONCLUSIONS: R-SPDP can be a good option for post-DG patients to preserve the remnant stomach safely.

Optimal resection of gastric bronchogenic cysts based on anatomical continuity with adherent gastric muscular layer: A case report.

BACKGROUND: Bronchogenic cysts are congenital lesions requiring radical resection because of malignant potential. However, a method for the optimal resection of these cysts has not been completely elucidated. CASE SUMMARY: Herein, we presented three patients with bronchogenic cysts that were located adjacent to the gastric wall and resected laparoscopically. The cysts were detected incidentally with no symptoms and the preoperative diagnosis was challenging to obtain via radiological examinations. Based on laparoscopic findings, the cyst was attached firmly to the gastric wall and the boundary between the gastric and cyst walls was difficult to identify. Consequently, resection of cysts alone caused cystic wall injury in Patient 1. Meanwhile, the cyst was resected completely along with a part of the gastric wall in Patient 2. Histopathological examination revealed the final diagnosis of bronchogenic cyst and revealed that the cyst wall shared the muscular layer with the gastric wall in Patients 1 and 2. In Patient 3, the cyst was located adjacent to the gastric wall but histopathologically originated from diaphragm rather than stomach. All the patients were free from recurrence. CONCLUSION: The findings of this study state that a safe and complete resection of bronchogenic cysts required the adherent gastric muscular layer or full-thickness dissection, if bronchogenic cysts are suspected via pre- and/or intraoperative findings.

Relationship between antithrombotic drugs and postoperative outcomes in patients with gastric cancer after gastrectomy: a propensity matching analysis.

BACKGROUND: As there is no consensus on the impact of antithrombotic drugs on post-gastrectomy outcomes in gastric cancer patients, this study aimed to investigate the impact of antithrombotic drugs on postoperative outcomes in these patients after gastrectomy. METHODS: Patients with Stage I-III primary gastric cancer who underwent radical gastrectomy between April 2005 and May 2022 were included. We performed propensity score matching to adjust for patient background and compared bleeding complications. Multivariate analysis with logistic regression analysis was performed to identify risk factors associated with bleeding complications. RESULTS: Of the 6798 patients, 310 (4.6%) were in the antithrombotic group and 6488 (95.4%) were in the non-antithrombotic group. Twenty-six patients (0.38%) experienced bleeding complications. After matching, the number of patients in each group was 300, with insignificant differences in any factor. A comparison of postoperative outcomes showed no difference in bleeding complications (P = 0.249). In the antithrombotic group, 39 (12.6%) continued drugs, and 271 (87.4%) discontinued them before surgery. After matching, there were 30 and 60 patients, respectively, with no differences in patient background. A comparison of postoperative outcomes showed no differences in bleeding complications (P = 0.551). In multivariate analysis, antithrombotic drug use and continuation of antiplatelet agents were not risk factors for bleeding complications. CONCLUSION: Antithrombotic drugs and its continuation may not worsen bleeding complications in patients with gastric cancer after radical gastrectomy. Bleeding complications were rare, and further studies are needed on risk factors for bleeding complications in larger databases.

Advantages of Function-Preserving Gastrectomy for Older Patients With Upper-Third Early Gastric Cancer: Maintenance of Nutritional Status and Favorable Survival.

PURPOSE: The incidence of early gastric cancer is increasing in older patients alongside life expectancy. For early gastric cancer of the upper third of the stomach, laparoscopic function-preserving gastrectomy (LFPG), including laparoscopic proximal gastrectomy (LPG) and laparoscopic subtotal gastrectomy (LSTG), is expected to be an alternative to laparoscopic total gastrectomy (LTG). However, whether LFPG has advantages over LTG in older patients remains unknown. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed data of consecutive patients aged ≥75 years who underwent LTG, LPG, or LSTG for cT1N0M0 gastric cancer between 2005 and 2019. Surgical and nutritional outcomes, including blood parameters, percentage body weight (%BW) and percentage skeletal muscle index (%SMI) were compared between LTG and LPG or LSTG. Survival outcomes were also compared between LTG and LFPG groups. RESULTS: A total of 111 patients who underwent LTG (n=39), LPG (n=48), and LSTG (n=24) were enrolled in this study. To match the surgical indications, LTG was further categorized into "LTG for LPG" (LTG-P) and "LTG for LSTG" (LTG-S). No significant differences were identified in the incidence of postoperative complications among the procedures. Postoperative nutritional parameters, %BW and %SMI were better after LPG and LSTG than after LTG-P and LTG-S, respectively. The survival outcomes of LFPG were better than those of LTG. CONCLUSIONS: LFPG is safe for older patients and has advantages over LTG in terms of postoperative nutritional parameters, body weight, skeletal muscle-sparing, and survival. Therefore, LFPG for upper early gastric cancer should be considered in older patients.

Oncological impact of unexpected horizontal tumor spread in gastric cancer that requires total gastrectomy.

BACKGROUND: Gastric cancer often exhibits discrepancies between the gross and pathological tumor boundaries, and the degree of discrepancy may be a tumor characteristic. However, whether these discrepancies influence oncological outcomes remains unclear. METHODS: The data of patients who underwent total gastrectomy for gastric cancer from 2005 to 2018 were collected. A new parameter, ΔPM, which corresponds to the length of the discrepancy between the gross and pathological proximal boundaries, was calculated and the patients were divided into two groups: patients with long ΔPM and those with short ΔPM. Oncological outcomes were compared between the two groups. RESULTS: A length of 8 mm was determined as the cutoff value for long or short ΔPM. Tumor size, growth pattern, pathological type, depth, and esophageal invasion were associated with ΔPM > 8 mm. Overall survival of the ΔPM > 8 mm group was significantly worse than that of the ΔPM ≤ 8 mm group (5-year overall survival: 58% vs 78%; p < 0.0001). Multivariate analysis revealed that ΔPM > 8 mm was an independent risk factor for poor survival and peritoneal metastasis. The likelihood ratio test revealed a significant interaction between pT status and ΔPM (p = 0.0007). Circumferential involvement and gross esophageal invasion were poorer survival factors in the ΔPM > 8 mm group. CONCLUSIONS: ΔPM > 8 mm is related to several clinicopathological characteristics and is an independent risk factor for poorer survival and peritoneal metastasis but not local recurrence. ΔPM > 8 mm combined with circumferential involvement or esophageal invasion is associated with relatively poor survival outcomes.

Perioperative TAS-118 plus oxaliplatin in patients with locally advanced gastric cancer: APOLLO-11 study.

BACKGROUND: We investigated the feasibility of perioperative chemotherapy with S-1 and leucovorin (TAS-118) plus oxaliplatin in patients with locally advanced gastric cancer. METHODS: Patients with clinical T3-4N1-3M0 gastric cancer received four courses of TAS-118 (40-60 mg/body, orally, twice daily for seven days) plus oxaliplatin (85 mg/m2, intravenously, day one) every two weeks preoperatively followed by gastrectomy with D2 lymphadenectomy, followed by postoperative chemotherapy with either 12 courses of TAS-118 monotherapy (Step 1) or eight courses of TAS-118 plus oxaliplatin (Step 2). The primary endpoints were completion rates of preoperative chemotherapy with TAS-118 plus oxaliplatin and postoperative chemotherapy with TAS-118 monotherapy (Step 1) or TAS-118 plus oxaliplatin (Step 2). RESULTS: Among 45 patients enrolled, the preoperative chemotherapy completion rate was 88.9% (90% CI 78.0-95.5). Major grade ≥ 3 adverse events (AEs) were diarrhoea (17.8%) and neutropenia (8.9%). The R0 resection rate was 95.6% (90% CI 86.7-99.2). Complete pathological response was achieved in 6 patients (13.3%). Dose-limiting toxicity was not observed in 31 patients receiving postoperative chemotherapy (Step 1, n = 11; Step 2, n = 20), and completion rates were 90.9% (95% CI 63.6-99.5) for Step 1 and 80.0% (95% CI 59.9-92.9) for Step 2. No more than 10% of grade ≥ 3 AEs were observed in patients receiving Step 1. Hypokalaemia and neutropenia occurred in 3 and 2 patients, respectively, receiving Step 2. The 3-year recurrence-free and overall survival rates were 66.7% (95% CI 50.9-78.4) and 84.4% (95% CI 70.1-92.3), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Perioperative chemotherapy with TAS-118 plus oxaliplatin with D2 gastrectomy is feasible.

A sandwiching method that simplifies hepatic left lateral segment inversion to secure an optimal surgical view around the esophageal hiatus in laparoscopic and robotic gastrectomy for upper gastric and esophagogastric junction cancers.

PURPOSE: In laparoscopic surgery for upper gastric and esophagogastric junction (EGJ) cancer, it is important to achieve optimal exposure of the esophageal hiatus to secure an appropriate workspace. In recent years, hepatic left lateral segment (HLLS) inversion has been used to achieve an optimal surgical field. We present a simple technique to perform a modified HLLS inversion. METHODS: As a simple modified method, suturing a 2-0 straight needle to the peritoneum of the round ligament and pulling it to the outside of the abdominal cavity, the falciform, left triangular, and coronary ligaments were dissected. The HLLS was inverted by moving it to the right through the space of the transected falciform ligament. By ligating the thread through the round ligament, the HLLS was sandwiched between the rest of the liver and abdominal wall. The short-term surgical outcomes of patient who underwent simple modified HLLS inversion were retrospectively reviewed. RESULTS: This study investigated consecutive 24 patients who underwent laparoscopic proximal and total gastrectomies using the simple modified HLLS inversion technique between June 2021 and April 2022. This series of procedures could be completed in approximately 16 min. A Nathanson liver retractor was used in three patients due to difficulties in completing the HLLS inversion in our institution. Postoperative serum liver enzyme levels indicated there was a small effect on the liver. CONCLUSIONS: The simple modified HLLS inversion technique may be a safe and useful procedure and can provide an enhanced surgical field during laparoscopic surgery for upper gastric and EGJ cancers.

Anatomical Position of the Pancreas as a Risk Factor for Pancreatic Fistula after Laparoscopic Gastrectomy for Gastric Cancer.

BACKGROUND: Laparoscopic gastrectomy is more frequently associated with postoperative pancreatic fistula than is open gastrectomy. We assumed that compression of the pancreas with various devices to obtain a proper operative view is associated with the higher incidence of PF in LG and that the extent of the compression differs depending on the anatomical position of the pancreas. The present study aimed to elucidate the correlation between the anatomical position of the pancreas and PF after LG for gastric cancer. METHODS: Patients who underwent LG for gastric cancer from 2005 to 2019 were retrospectively reviewed. Two anatomical parameters representing the height of the slope looking down the celiac artery from the top of the pancreas (P-A length) and the steepness of the slope (UP-CA angle) were measured in computed tomography sagittal projections. The correlation between PF and (1) P-A length, (2) UP-CA angle, and (3) other clinicopathological factors was analyzed using a logistic regression model. RESULTS: Among 3485 patients, grade ≥ II PF was observed in 140 (4.0%) patients. The UP-CA angle [odds ratio (OR), 2.472; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.725-3.543; P < 0.001], a high BMI (OR 2.339; 95% CI 1.634-3.348; P < 0.001), and male sex (OR 2.602; 95% CI 1.590-4.257; P < 0.001) were independently correlated with grade ≥ II PF. CONCLUSIONS: The present study identified a significant correlation between anatomical position of the pancreas and PF after LG. High BMI and male sex were also significantly correlated with PF after LG.

Required esophageal resection length beyond the tumor boundary to ensure a negative proximal margin for gastric cancer with gross esophageal invasion or esophagogastric junction cancer.

BACKGROUND: To obtain a pathologically negative proximal margin (PM) for gastric cancer with gross esophageal invasion (EI) or esophagogastric junction (EGJ) cancer, we should transect the esophagus beyond the proximal boundary of gross EI with a safety margin because of a discrepancy between the gross and pathological boundaries of cancer. However, recommendations regarding the esophageal resection length for these cancers have not been established. METHODS: Patients who underwent proximal or total gastrectomy for gastric cancer with gross EI or EGJ cancer were enrolled. A parameter ΔPM, which corresponded to the length of a discrepancy between the gross and pathological proximal boundary of the tumor, was evaluated. The maximum ΔPM, which corresponded to the minimum length ensuring a pathologically negative PM, was first determined in all patients. Then subgroup analyses according to factors associated with ΔPM ≥ 10 mm were performed to identify alternative maximum ΔPMs. RESULTS: A total of 289 patients with gastric cancer with gross EI or EGJ cancer were eligible and analyzed in this study. The maximum ΔPM was 25 mm. Clinical tumor (cTumor) size and growth and pathological types were independently associated with ΔPM ≥ 10 mm. In subgroup analyses, the maximum ΔPM was 15 mm for cTumor size ≤ 40 mm and superficial growth type. Furthermore, the maximum ΔPM was 20 mm in the expansive growth type. CONCLUSIONS: Required esophageal resection lengths to ensure a pathologically negative PM for gastric cancer with gross EI or EGJ cancer are proposed.

Laparoscopic Function-Preserving Gastrectomy for Proximal Gastric Cancer or Esophagogastric Junction Cancer: A Narrative Review.

Function-preserving procedures to maintain postoperative quality of life are an important aspect of treatment for early gastric cancer. Laparoscopic proximal gastrectomy (LPG) and laparoscopic distal gastrectomy with a small remnant stomach, namely laparoscopic subtotal gastrectomy (LsTG), are alternative function-preserving procedures for laparoscopic total gastrectomy of early proximal gastric cancer. In LPG, esophagogastrostomy with techniques to prevent reflux and double-tract and jejunal interposition including esophagojejunostomy is usually chosen for reconstruction. The double-flap technique is currently a preferred reconstruction technique in Japan as an esophagogastrostomy approach to prevent reflux esophagitis. However, standardized reconstruction methods after LPG have not yet been established. In LsTG, preservation of the esophagogastric junction and the fundus prevents reflux and malnutrition, which may maintain quality of life. However, whether LsTG is an oncologically and nutritionally acceptable procedure compared with laparoscopic total gastrectomy or LPG is a concern. In this review, we summarize the status of reconstruction in LPG and the oncological and nutritional aspects of LsTG as a function-preserving gastrectomy for early proximal gastric or esophagogastric junction cancer.

Clinical outcomes of palliative treatment for gastric bleeding from incurable gastric cancer.

PURPOSE: Deciding palliative treatment for gastric bleeding from incurable gastric cancer (IGC) is worrying considering different patient situations and the lack of comprehensive assessment of palliative treatment. We evaluated the clinical outcomes and prognostic factors after palliative treatment for gastric bleeding from IGC. METHODS: We enrolled 48 consecutive patients with gastric bleeding from IGC who underwent palliative surgery (PS) or palliative radiotherapy (PRT). RESULTS: Of the 48 patients, 23 underwent PS and 25 received PRT. More patients who had an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group-Performance Status (ECOG-PS) ≥ 2 or who received chemotherapy underwent PRT than underwent PS. Severe complications were observed in 2 (8.6%) patients after PS. After PRT, 22 patients achieved hemostasis (88%), but rebleeding was found in 10 (40%). Chemotherapy was introduced after palliative treatment for 21 (91.3%) patients in the PS group and 17 (68%) patients in the PRT group. The median survival time (MST) of patients with and without chemotherapy after PS was 12.5 and 3.1 months, respectively (p ≤ 0.001), while the MST of patients with and without chemotherapy after PRT was 6.5 and 1.6 months (p < 0.001). Multivariate analyses identified ECOG-PS, tumor size, and chemotherapy after palliative treatment as independent risk factors. CONCLUSIONS: Palliative treatment strategies for gastric bleeding should be determined with consideration of the general condition, previous chemotherapy, and chemotherapy after palliative treatment.

A continuous muscle-sparing advantage of pylorus-preserving gastrectomy for older patients with cT1N0M0 gastric cancer in the middle third of the stomach.

In older patients with cT1N0M0 gastric cancer in the middle third of the stomach, LPPG has advantages over LDGB1 in maintaining skeletal muscle mass. BACKGROUND: Laparoscopic pylorus-preserving gastrectomy (LPPG) for early gastric cancer in the middle third of the stomach is expected to be an alternative procedure to laparoscopic distal gastrectomy (LDG). However, whether LPPG is safe and more useful than LDG in older patients is unclear because of their comorbidities and organ dysfunctions. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed the data of consecutive patients aged 75 or over who underwent LDG with Billroth I reconstruction (LDGB1) or LPPG for cT1N0M0 gastric cancer in the middle third of the stomach between 2005 and 2019. After propensity score matching was used to improve the comparability between the LDGB1 and LPPG groups, we compared surgical and postoperative nutritional outcomes, including the postoperative trends of bodyweight (%BW) and skeletal muscle index (%SMI). RESULTS: A total of 132 patients who underwent LDGB1 (n = 88) and LPPG (n = 44) were collected for this study. No significant difference in postoperative complications was observed. The total protein levels after LPPG were significantly higher than those after LDGB1 for 4 postoperative years. Both %BW and %SMI after LPPG were significantly maintained compared with those after LDGB1 during the first year after surgery. For the subsequent years, %BW after LPPG became similar to that after LDGB1, while %SMI after LPPG was significantly larger than LDGB1 continuously. CONCLUSIONS: LPPG has a great advantage in maintaining the postoperative skeletal muscle mass as well as the nutritional parameters of older patients. LPPG is expected to be an alternative to LDG in older patients.