Laparoscopic stomach-partitioning gastrojejunostomy is an effective palliative procedure to improve quality of life in patients with malignant gastroduodenal outlet obstruction.

INTRODUCTION

A patient with gastroduodenal obstruction caused by an unresectable gastroduodenal or periampullary cancer cannot ingest food and/or liquid. The patient's quality of life rapidly deteriorates, resulting in a dismal prognosis. Stomach-partitioning gastrojejunostomy has been previously reported, and here, we evaluate the laparoscopic procedure.

METHODS

We performed laparoscopic stomach-partitioning gastrojejunostomy in 18 patients with unresectable gastroduodenal or periampullary cancers. Data on operation time, blood loss, complications, and postoperative course were retrospectively collected.

RESULTS

The mean operation time was 152 min, and conversion to open surgery was not required in any patients. Postoperative complications occurred in three patients (17%) and included cholangitis, anastomotic ulcer hemorrhage, and enterocolitis. The mean time to oral intake was 4.5 days, and the mean and median duration of oral intake were maintained for 133 and 88 days, respectively.

CONCLUSION

Laparoscopic stomach-partitioning gastrojejunostomy is a safe and effective procedure that allows patients with gastroduodenal outlet obstruction to eat again and improve the quality of their remaining life.