Factors influencing the development of small intestinal obstruction following total gastrectomy for gastric cancer: the impact of reconstructive route in the Roux-en-Y procedure.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The factors influencing the development of small intestinal obstruction following gastric surgery are controversial.

METHODOLOGY

Univariate and multivariate analyses were carried out on data from 48 patients with gastric cancer who underwent total gastrectomy and Roux-en-Y reconstruction for a potential cure.

RESULTS

Of these 48 patients, 11 (22.9%) presented with mechanical obstruction in the small intestine postoperatively. There were no statistically significant differences with regard to age, sex, and the presenting pathology. The development of obstruction was not related to a longer operation time, a greater estimated blood loss during surgery, an extensive lymph node dissection and a combined resection of adjacent organs. The probability that the antecolic anastomosis would cause obstruction was significant when compared with findings in case of the retrocolic anastomosis (P < 0.05). In the multivariate logistic regression analysis, the significant risk factors related to the development of small intestinal obstruction proved to be reconstructive route of jejunal loop.

CONCLUSIONS

In potentially curative patients undergoing total gastrectomy, retrocolic anastomosis should be attempted to prevent the development of postoperative intestinal obstruction.