Postoperative Nutrition Status of Patients With Esophago-gastric Junction Cancer With Gastric Tube or Esophago-gastric Reconstruction.

BACKGROUND/AIM: Postoperative nutritional management for esophago-gastric junction cancer (EGJC) has become increasingly important. This study compared the nutritional status of patients with EGJC who underwent gastric tube reconstruction versus esophago-gastric anastomosis.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Mediastinoscopic esophagectomy with gastric tube reconstruction was performed in 17 cases (group GT) and laparoscopic proximal gastrectomy with esophago-gastric anastomosis in 33 cases (group EG). The perioperative characteristics and nutritional status of the two groups in the 2 years postoperatively were compared.

RESULTS

Group GT had a significantly higher level of serum total protein at 24 months postoperatively than did group EG. No other significant differences in postoperative nutritional status were observed between the groups.

CONCLUSION

Gastric tube reconstruction for EGJC was not inferior to esophago-gastric anastomosis in terms of nutritional status. It is a candidate surgical procedure to avoid higher mediastinal anastomosis.