Abstract
BACKGROUND: Laparoscopy-assisted distal gastrectomy (LADG) with Billroth I (B-I) reconstruction is frequently performed for gastric cancer. However, the difference between the circular stapler technique (CS) and delta-shaped anastomosis (DA) remains unclear, especially regarding the postoperative endoscopic physiological findings. METHODS: Three hundred and one patients including 150 CS patients and 151 DA patients during LADG with B-I reconstruction between 2013 and 2019 at Saitama Medical University International Medical Center were chosen as study subjects. Postoperative endoscopic findings (1-year post-surgery) in the remnant stomach were evaluated according to the residue, gastritis, and bile-reflux classification, and the first-year postoperative weight changes were also recorded. RESULTS: The incidences of Grade 2 or higher remnant gastritis, bile reflux, and postoperative exacerbated reflux esophagitis were significantly higher in the DA group, while the amount of residual food was higher in the CS group. Multivariate analysis also revealed the higher risks of Grade 2 or higher gastritis and the postoperative existence or exacerbation of erosive reflux esophagitis in the DA group (OR [95% CI] was 2.737 [1.566-4.783], 3.533 [1.101-11.34], and 3.749 [1.021-13.76], respectively). However, none of these endoscopic differences but the broader extent of gastritis was the only endoscopic factor associated with severe postoperative weight loss. CONCLUSION: There was a trend toward more exacerbation of residual gastritis and reflux esophagitis with the DA technique and more food remnants with the CS technique. Although the difference in the anastomotic technique did not directly result in weight loss, attention should be paid to prevent extensive residual gastritis.