Long term results of a new method of reconstruction for continuity of the alimentary tract after total gastrectomy.

To assess the long term results (a mean of 15 years) of a previously reported method of reconstruction after total gastrectomy, 32 patients, all of whom underwent this type of reconstruction, were studied. The results after endoscopic, cinefluorographic and isotopic emptying studies and the findings concerning assessment of bile reflux and of the capacity of the absorptive function in each individual patient revealed that the majority of the patients studied had normal findings in both functional and morphologic terms of the constructed gastric reservoir. Moreover, a careful clinical assessment which was carried out concerning the presence of various postoperative symptoms and sequelae, such as dumping, dysphagia, regurgitation, postprandial fullness and diarrhea, as well as postoperative weight changes and the ability of each patient to return to his or her preoperative work revealed that 24 patients were graded as Grade I, six as Grade II and two as Grade III. The aforementioned results are considered as satisfactory and the reconstruction is recommended for patients undergoing total gastrectomy.