Feasibility of augmented rectangle technique in laparoscopic distal gastrectomy: comparison with hemi-double stapling technique in a single-center retrospective cohort study

Langenbecks Arch Surg. 2022 Feb;407(1):365-376. doi: 10.1007/s00423-021-02374-8. Epub 2021 Nov 23.

Abstract

Purpose: Augmented rectangle technique (ART) anastomosis is a totally intracorporeal anastomosis of laparoscopic distal gastrectomy (LDG), Billroth I (B1) reconstruction for gastric cancer, which secures a wide anastomotic stoma. Since the conventional extracorporeal hemi-double stapling technique (HD) may have a narrow anastomotic stoma, our aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility and usefulness of ART anastomosis by comparing the surgical outcomes with HD anastomosis.

Methods: Clinical data of 89 patients undergoing LDG with B1 reconstruction were retrospectively collected. Patients were divided into ART group (n = 40) and HD group (n = 49). Surgical outcomes including short-term outcomes, postoperative endoscopic findings, and nutritional factors 1 year after surgery were compared between the groups.

Results: Baseline characteristics were similar between the groups. In terms of short-term outcomes, blood loss was less (11.5 mL vs 40 mL, P = 0.011) and postoperative hospital stay was shorter (10 days vs 12 days, P = 0.022) in the ART group. In terms of endoscopic findings, residual food was less (P = 0.032) in the ART group. In terms of nutritional factors, percent decrease of visceral fat area (- 27.6% vs - 40.5%, P = 0.049) and subcutaneous fat area (- 25.7% vs - 39.3%, P = 0.050) 1 year after surgery attenuated in the ART group.

Conclusions: ART anastomosis is superior in perioperative course such as postoperative hospital stay. Moreover, a better nutritional recovery is expected by securing a wide anastomotic stoma leading to a favorable food passage.

Keywords: Augmented rectangle technique; Early gastric cancer; Hemi-double stapling technique; Laparoscopic distal gastrectomy; Visceral fat.

MeSH terms

  • Feasibility Studies
  • Gastrectomy
  • Gastroenterostomy
  • Humans
  • Laparoscopy*
  • Postoperative Complications / epidemiology
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Stomach Neoplasms* / surgery