The Risk Factors of Reflux Complication after Gastrectomy for Proximal Gastric Cancer

Abstract

Purpose:The aim of this study was to investigate the risk factors of reflux associated complications (reflux symptoms, reflux esophagitis, and esophageal stricture) after gastrectomy for proximal gastric cancer. Methods: 150 patients with proximal gastric cancer were included from January 2005 to December 2008. Their medical and surgical records were retrospectively analyzed concerning clinical and pathologic characteristics, operation methods, morbidity, reflux associated complications and nutritional states. Results: Tumor sizes and operation methods were statistically significant in univariate analysis of risk factors for reflux associated complications (P＜0.05). However, only operation methods were statistically significant in multivariate analysis (P=0.00). We, thus, compared operation methods. There were no significant differences in morbidity, body weight, hemoglobin, serum cholesterol, protein and albumin between total gastrectomy groups and proximal gastrectomy groups (P＞0.05). However, reflux complications were significantly more common in proximal gastrectomy groups (72.4%) than in total gastrectomy groups (29.5%). Severe reflux esophagitis (LA classification C or D) was found in only proximal gastrectomy groups.

Esophagogastric Reconstruction in Cobra-Head Shape with Toupet-Like Partial Anti-Reflux Technique for Resection of Proximal Gastric Tumors. Experience with Three Cases from a Non-Asian Population

“…The significant morbidity in proximal gastrectomy is related to the possibility of gastroesophageal reflux in the short and long term, which leads to esophagitis [28]. This problem occurs after removing the angle of His and the lower esophageal sphincter as anti-reflux mechanisms [29] [30].…”