An Analysis of Possible Risk Factors Contributing to Delayed Gastric Emptying after Distal Gastrectomy for Gastric Cancer

Abstract

Gastric cancer is a worldwide epidemic. The standard and definitive treatment for gastric cancer is surgical resection: gastrectomy. Surgery is a common trigger for gastroparesis. DGE is arguably the most common of the post-gastrectomy syndromes, accounting for 5-20% of all cases. A clear etiology still remains unidentified. The purpose of the study is to analyze the possible risk factors contributing to development of DGE after distal gastrectomy for gastric cancer.A retrospective study of 252 patients, who underwent distal gastrectomy for gastric cancer, was conducted from January 2010 to December 2015. 18 patients developed DGE with an occurrence rate of 7.1%. The incidence of DGE was found to be significantly higher in patients with 1) Gastric outlet obstruction (P=0.031), 2) Roux-en-Y reconstruction surgery (P=0.041), 3) Side to end gastrojejunostomy (P=0.03), 4) Tumor in the lower 1/3 rd (P= 0.027) and 5) Ulcerative lesion (P=0.001). DGE continues to affect a considerable number of patients after gastric surgery. Proper preoperative preparation and postoperative management can considerably reduce the incidence of DGE.