Modified π-shaped Esophagojejunostomy in Totally Laparoscopic Total Gastrectomy: a Report of 40 Consecutive Cases From a Single Center

Abstract

Background: Intracorporeal esophagojejunostomy remains a challenging technique in totally laparoscopic total gastrectomy (TLTG) without established standard anastomosis method. π-shaped esophagojejunostomy in TLTG was reported to be safe and feasible. Therefore, this study aimed to depict our modified π-shaped esophagojejunostomy in TLTG and evaluate its short-term surgical outcomes.Methods: From April 2018 to October 2019, 40 patients with gastric cancer who underwent TLTG by the same surgeon with modified π-shaped esophagojejunostomy were enrolled. Clinicopathologic data including age, gender, body mass index, American Society of Anesthesiologists score, tumor size, tumor location, depth of tumor invasion, number of harvested lymph nodes, nodal metastasis and TNM stage, operative time, estimated blood loss, time to resume diet, postoperative hospital stays, complication, and mortality were collected and retrospectively analyzed.Results: The mean operative time and estimated blood loss were 264.6 ± 56.9 min and 68.5 ± 53.3 mL, respectively. Postoperative flatus occurred at 4.6 ± 1.7 days. The mean time to resume diet was 7.4 ± 1.7 days postoperatively. One patient was diagnosed with anastomotic leakage and managed with conservative therapy. Pleural effusion, occurring in 4 (10%) patients, was the most common complication. One patient experienced intra-abdominal bleeding requiring reoperation. Other complications were atrial fibrillation and wound infection. No mortality occurred during the 6-month follow-up.Conclusions: Modified π-shaped esophagojejunostomy is a safe and feasible method for intracorporeal anastomosis in TLTG, which showed favorable surgical outcomes.