Purpose
Various procedures of intra-corporeal gastroduodenostomy in totally laparoscopic distal gastrectomy(TLDG) have been devised, but an optimal method has not yet been standardized. Studies of intra-corporeal hand-sewn gastroduodenostomy in TLDG are limited. In this study, we present our experience of intra-corporeal hand-sewn gastroduodenostomy in TLDG.
Methods
From December 2018 to October 2021, 21 patients underwent TLDG using intra-corporeal hand-sewn gastroduodenostomy for gastric cancer. The data of the patient demographics, intraoperative variables, postoperative hospital stay, morbidity, mortality, pathologic findings and follow-up were collected.
Results
All patients were successfully operated on without conversion to open- or laparoscope-assisted surgery. The median operative time was 175 min (range, 152-240min), with a reconstruction duration of 21 min (range, 15- 34min) .The time until first flatus was 4 days (range,2-6d). The time to starting a soft diet was 7 days (range,3-16d). There were no anastomotic complications. The morbidity rate was 4.76% with one case of delayed gastric emptying. There was no postoperative 30-day mortality and reoperation. The median postoperative hospital stay was 8 days(range,6-19d). Median follow-up time was 15 months (range,3-36m), no anastomotic strictures were encountered.
Conclusions
Intra-corporeal hand-sewn gastroduodenostomy in TLDG is a safe and feasible procedure. This method with lower surgical costs could be a good option for performing intracorporeal gastroduodenostomy with an advanced laparoscopic suture technique.