Reconstruction after distal gastrectomy by interposition of a double-jejunal pouch using a triangulating stapling technique.

Sustaining good nutrition and preventing postgastrectomy syndrome are important for increasing the quality of life after distal gastrectomy. Many surgeons have proposed surgical methods designed to enhance long-term patient quality of life. An immediate, safe method based on current physiologic reconstructive principles shown to reduce postoperative patient complaints is presented. A reconstructive method using a modified interpositioned double-jejunal pouch after distal gastrectomy in 18 cancer patients was reviewed. This method uses a triangulating stapling technique with wide end-to-side anastomosis between the residual stomach and the pouch. In all patients, the anastomosis site was without leakage or stenosis, and there were no episodes of severe reflux esophagitis, residual gastritis, or dumping syndrome. The mean pooling rate was 44.2%, and emptying half-time was 73.0 minutes. After 2 years the body weight was 91.3% of the preoperative weight, the food volume was 89.2% of normal intake, and meal frequency was 3.0 per day. This method of reconstruction is useful for immediate and safe creation of a wide anastomosis between the residual stomach and the double-jejunal pouch after distal gastrectomy and in the prevention of esophagitis and residual gastritis.