A Study of the Factors Related to the Frequency of Postoperative Gomplications for Gastric Cancer

ABSTRACT

Prevention of fatal postoperative complications and improved management of patients with complications are important means for achieving increased survival in gastric cancer patients. A study of 390 patients undergoing gastrectomies at the Department of Surgery, Chonbuk National University Hospital, during 6 years from 1990 to 1995 was performed to examine factors related to a high rate of postoperative complications and to compare specific and non-specific complications. Postoperative complications developed in 185 (47.4%) out of the total 390 cases undergoing gastrectomies for gastric cancer; including 107 (27.4%) specific and 78 (20.0%) non-specific. Typical complications were 46 cases of diarrhea, 20 cases of intestinal obstruction including an adhesive and paralytic ileus, 16 cases of vomiting, 7 cases of anastomotic leakage, 7 cases of hemorrhage, 6 cases of anastomosis stenosis, 2 cases of duodenal stump leakage, 1 case of acute pancreatitis, 1 case of pancreatic fistula, 1 case of enterocutaneous fistula within the category of specific complications and 22 cases of elevated hepatic enzymes, 21 cases of pulmonary disease, 2 cases of abnormal EKG, 2 cases of sepsis, 2 cases of cerebral infarction, and 1 case of renal failure within the category of non-specific complications. Multivariate analysis identified combined resection, radical resection in stage IV in operative factors, blood(PRC) transfusion of over 4 units, elevation of sGOT and sGPT, age between 50 and 65, diabetic mellitus of coexistic diseases in non-operative factors as detrimental factors with an independent influence on the postoperative complications for gastric cancer. We believe that the postoperative complications for gastric cancer did not develope because of local and operative factors, but were significantly common when general and non-operative factors were combined with gastrectomy.