Pitfalls of Gastrojejunostomy Using Linear Stapler

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND & PURPOSE: The most popular anastomotic method for a Billroth-II gastrectomy is an 'Albert-Lembert' type two-layer gastro jejunostomy (G-Jstomy) which seems more secure than a 'Gambee' type single-layer anastomosis which provides better mucosal apposition. Since 1995, I have used linear-type staplers during a Billroth-II gastrectomy and palliative bypass surgery for gastric cancer patients to make the G-Jstomy more convenient. There use shortened the operating time and made the gastrojejunostomy easier. I reviewed four years of stapling experience to prove the merits of a stapled G-Jstomy so as to encourage the surgeons who hesitate to do so for fear of complications. METHODS: 1,049 Billroth-II gastrectomies and 133 palliative gastrojejunostomies were carried out from January 1995 to December 1998 at Asan Medical Center. A linear stapler was used in 319 of the above procedures. RESULTS: A linear stapler with two rows of staples was used without any anastomotic leakage or hemorrhage. However, I experienced several efferent jejunal loop obstructions due to adhesion around the anastomosis at the beginning of the trial. All the adhesions occurred at the suture materials of stapler port which was closed manually. No more obstructions were observed after modifying the location of and the closing method for the stapler port. Nowadays, conventional manual G-Jstomy has been safely replaced with a stapled G-Jstomy. CONCLUSION: This report of a clinical trial offers a safe technique for a stapled G-Jstomy by solving the pitfalls.