• Journal of Gastric Cancer
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.49-61
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• 2019

Purpose: The perigastric vagus nerve may play an important role in preserving function after gastrectomy, and intraoperative neurophysiologic tests might represent a feasible method of evaluating the vagus nerve. The purpose of this study is to assess the feasibility of neurophysiologic evaluations of the function and viability of perigastric vagus nerve branches during gastrectomy. Materials and Methods: Thirteen patients (1 open total gastrectomy, 1 laparoscopic total gastrectomy, and 11 laparoscopic distal gastrectomy) were prospectively enrolled. The hepatic and celiac branches of the vagus nerve were exposed, and grabbing type stimulation electrodes were applied as follows: 10-30 mA intensity, 4 trains, $1,000{\mu}s/train$, and $5{\times}$frequency. Visible myocontractile movement and electrical signals were monitored via needle probes before and after gastrectomy. Gastrointestinal symptoms were evaluated preoperatively and postoperatively at 3 weeks and 3 months, respectively. Results: Responses were observed after stimulating the celiac branch in 10, 9, 10, and 6 patients in the antrum, pylorus, duodenum, and proximal jejunum, respectively. Ten patients responded to hepatic branch stimulation at the duodenum. After vagus-preserving distal gastrectomy, 2 patients lost responses to the celiac branch at the duodenum and jejunum (1 each), and 1 patient lost response to the hepatic branch at the duodenum. Significant procedure-related complications and meaningful postoperative diarrhea were not observed. Conclusions: Intraoperative neurophysiologic testing seems to be a feasible methodology for monitoring the perigastric vagus nerves. Innervation of the duodenum via the celiac branch and postoperative preservation of the function of the vagus nerves were confirmed in most patients.

• Journal of the Korean Dietetic Association
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.16-29
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• 2012

The purpose of this study was to investigate the changes in nutritional status of gastrectomy patients. The anthropometric and biochemical data were measured at pre-operation, at discharge, 1 month after discharge, and 3 months after discharge. Nutrient intake levels, nutrients adequacy ratio (NAR), mean adequacy ratio (MAR), and the proportion of patients with intake levels inferior to those of dietary reference intakes (DRIs) were analyzed at discharge, 1 month after discharge, and 3 months after discharge. Finally, the data on 23 patients (15 male and 8 female) were collected and used for statistical analysis. Fifteen patients underwent subtotal gastrectomy, and 8 patients underwent total gastrectomy. Compared to pre-operation, body weight and body mass index of subjects significantly decreased at discharge, 1 month after discharge, and 3 months after discharge (P<0.001). Serum albumin (P<0.001), total lympocyte count (P<0.001), total cholesterol (P<0.001), hemoglobin (P<0.001), hematocrit (P<0.001), and mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (P<0.05) were significantly different between pre-operation, at discharge, 1 month after discharge, and 3 months after discharge. The proportions of patients with lower nutrient intake levels than DRIs were substantial. MAR at discharge, 1 month after discharge, and 3 months after discharge were 0.70, 0.80 and 0.91, respectively. Especially, the NARs of folate, niacin, vitamin $B_2$, vitamin C, and zinc were all low. Considering the various nutritional problems of gastrectomy patients, systematic medical nutrition therapy is needed after gastrectomy.

• Journal of Gastric Cancer
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.235-247
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• 2022

Purpose: Most studies have investigated the differences in postgastrectomy quality of life (QOL) based on the surgical procedure or reconstruction method adopted; only a few studies have compared QOL based on tumor location. This large-scale study aims to investigate the differences in QOL between patients with esophagogastric junction cancer (EGJC) and those with upper third gastric cancer (UGC) undergoing the same gastrectomy procedure to evaluate the impact of tumor location on postoperative QOL. Methods: The Postgastrectomy Syndrome Assessment Scale-45 (PGSAS-45) questionnaire was distributed in 70 institutions to 2,364 patients who underwent gastrectomy for EGJC or UGC. A total of 1,909 patients were eligible for the study, and 1,744 patients who underwent total gastrectomy (TG) or proximal gastrectomy (PG) were selected for the final analysis. These patients were divided into EGJC and UGC groups; thereafter, the PGSAS-45 main outcome measures (MOMs) were compared between the two groups for each type of gastrectomy. Results: Among the post-TG patients, only one MOM was significantly better in the UGC group than in the EGJC group. Conversely, among the post-PG patients, postoperative QOL was significantly better in 6 out of 19 MOMs in the UGC group than in the EGJC group. Conclusions: Tumor location had a minimal effect on the postoperative QOL of post-TG patients, whereas among post-PG patients, there were definite differences in postoperative QOL between the two groups. It seems reasonable to conservatively estimate the benefits of PG in patients with EGJC compared to those in patients with UGC.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.35 no.3
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• pp.303-310
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• 2022

Background: Open gastrectomy causes severe postoperative pain. Therefore, we investigated the opioid-sparing effect of the ultrasound-guided bilateral erector spinae plane block (ESPB) after open gastrectomy. Methods: Adult patients undergoing open gastrectomy were randomly assigned to either the ESPB group (ESPB + fentanyl based intravenous patient-controlled analgesia [IV-PCA]) or a control group (fentanyl based IV-PCA only). The primary outcome was total fentanyl equivalent consumption during the first 24 hour postoperatively. Secondary outcomes were pain intensities using a numeric rating scale at the post-anesthesia care unit (PACU) and at 3, 6, 12, and 24 hour postoperatively, and the amount of fentanyl equivalent consumption during the PACU stay and at 3, 6, and 12 hour postoperatively, and the time to the first request for rescue analgesia. Results: Fifty-eight patients were included in the analysis. There was no significant difference in total fentanyl equivalent consumption during the first 24 hour postoperatively between the two groups (P = 0.471). Pain intensities were not significantly different between the groups except during the PACU stay and 3 hour postoperatively (P < 0.001, for both). Time to the first rescue analgesia in the ward was longer in the ESPB group than the control group (P = 0.045). Conclusions: Ultrasound-guided ESPB did not decrease total fentanyl equivalent consumption during the first 24 hour after open gastrectomy. It only reduced postoperative pain intensity until 3 hour postoperatively compared with the control group. Ultrasound-guided single-shot ESPB cannot provide an efficient opioid-sparing effect after open gastrectomy.

• Journal of Gastric Cancer
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.159-166
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• 2015

Purpose: Laparoscopic total gastrectomy (LTG) is more complicated than laparoscopic distal gastrectomy, especially during a surgeon's initial experience with the technique. In this study, we evaluated the short-term outcomes of and learning curve for LTG during the initial cases of a single surgeon compared with those of open total gastrectomy (OTG). Materials and Methods: Between 2009 and 2013, 134 OTG and 74 LTG procedures were performed by a single surgeon who was experienced with OTG but new to performing LTG. Clinical characteristics, operative parameters, and short-term postoperative outcomes were compared between groups. Results: Advanced gastric cancer and D2 lymph node dissection were more common in the OTG than LTG group. Although the operation time was significantly longer for LTG than for OTG ($175.7{\pm}43.1$ minutes vs. $217.5{\pm}63.4$ minutes), LTG seems to be slightly superior or similar to OTG in terms of postoperative recovery measures. The operation time moving average of 15 cases in the LTG group decreased gradually, and the curve flattened at 54 cases. The postoperative complication rate was similar for the two groups (11.9% vs. 13.5%). No anastomotic or stump leaks occurred. Conclusions: Although LTG is technically difficult and operation time is longer for surgeons experienced in open surgery, it can be performed safely, even during a surgeon's early experience with the technique. Considering the benefits of minimally invasive surgery, LTG is recommended for early gastric cancer.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.8
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• pp.4871-4875
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• 2013

This meta-analysis was performed to evaluate and compare the outcomes of robotic gastrectomy (RG) and laparoscopic gastrectomy (LG) for treating gastric cancer. A systematic literature search was carried out using the PubMed database, Web of Knowledge, and the Cochrane Library database to obtain comparative studies assessing the safety and efficiency between RG and LG in May, 2013. Data of interest were analyzed by using of Review Manager version 5.2 software (Cochrane Collaboration). A fixed effects model or random effects model was applied according to heterogeneity. Seven papers reporting results that compared robotic gastrectomy with laparoscopic gastrectomy for gastric cancer were selected for this meta-analysis. Our metaanalysis included 2,235 patients with gastric cancer, of which 1,473 had undergone laparoscopic gastrectomy, and 762 had received robotic gastrectomy. Compared with laparoscopic gastrectomy, robotic gastrectomy was associated with longer operative time but less blood loss. There were no significant difference in terms of hospital stay, total postoperative complication rate, proximal margin, distal margin, numbers of harvested lymph nodes and mortality rate between robotic gastrectomy and laparoscopic gastrectomy. Our meta-analysis showed that robotic gastrectomy is a safe technique for treating gastric cancer that compares favorably with laparoscopic gastrectomy in short term outcomes. However, the long term outcomes between the two techniques need to be further examined.

• Journal of Gastric Cancer
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.584-597
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• 2023

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the impact of different types of complications on long-term survival following total gastrectomy for gastric cancer. Materials and Methods: A total of 926 patients who underwent total gastrectomy between 2008 and 2016 were included. Patients were divided into the morbidity and no-morbidity groups, and long-term survival was compared between the 2 groups. The prognostic impact of postoperative morbidity was assessed using a multivariate Cox proportional hazard model, which accounted for other prognostic factors. In the multivariate model, the effects of each complication on survival were analyzed. Results: A total of 229 patients (24.7%) developed postoperative complications. Patients with postoperative morbidity showed significantly worse overall survival (OS) (5-year, 65.0% vs. 76.7%, P<0.001) and cancer-specific survival (CSS) (5-year, 74.2% vs. 83.1%, P=0.002) compared to those without morbidity. Multivariate analysis adjusting for other prognostic factors showed that postoperative morbidity remained an independent prognostic factor for OS (hazard ratio [HR], 1.442; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.136-1.831) and CSS (HR, 1.463; 95% CI, 1.063-2.013). There was no significant difference in survival according to the severity of complications. The following complications showed a significant association with unfavorable long-term survival: ascites (HR, 1.868 for OS, HR, 2.052 for CSS), wound complications (HR, 2.653 for OS, HR, 2.847 for CSS), and pulmonary complications (HR, 2.031 for OS, HR, 1.915 for CSS). Conclusions: Postoperative morbidity adversely impacted survival following total gastrectomy for gastric cancer. Among the different types of complications, ascites, wound complications, and pulmonary complications exhibited significant associations with long-term survival.

• Journal of Gastric Cancer
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.34-39
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• 2010

Purpose: The aim of this study was to compare quality of life of long-term survivors after a subtotal or a total gastrectomy for gastric cancer. Materials and Methods: The European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) QLQ-C30 questionnaire and QLQ-STO22 questionnaire were used to assess quality of life of 166 patients on their 5th annual follow-ups after gastrectomy for gastric cancer. One hundred twenty-six patients underwent a subtotal gastrectomy and 40 patients a total gastrectomy. Results: The subtotal gastrectomy group revealed a trend to have better quality of life in functional scales (physical, role, emotional, cognitive and social), fatigue, pain, dyspnea, diarrhea and financial difficulties. The total gastrectomy group showed a trend to have better quality of life in the global health status and quality of life, nausea and vomiting, insomnia, appetite loss and constipation. In all scales of the EORTC QLQ-STO22, the subtotal gastrectomy group had a trend to have better quality of life. However these did not reach the statistical significance. Conclusion: Surgeons may not limit the extent of resection concerning long-lasting poor quality of life. Oncologically sound resection is recommended.

• Journal of Gastric Cancer
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.176-189
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• 2020

Purpose: This study evaluated differences and shifting patterns in the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of 5-year gastric cancer survivors after either a distal subtotal gastrectomy (DSG) or total gastrectomy (TG). Materials and Methods: We analyzed the prospectively collected HRQoL data of 528 patients who survived 5 years without recurrence using the European Organization for the Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) Core Quality of Life Questionnaire and the EORTC Quality of Life Questionnaire-Stomach module according to the type of surgery. The purpose was to identify the proportion of patients with deteriorating HRQoL and to assess the clinical significance of these changes. Results: Deteriorating HRQoL was prevalent in both groups, including a large proportion of the DSG group. Decreased overall health status and scores on several function scales were less in the DSG group, while increases on the symptom scales were higher in the TG group. For most of the scales, gaps in HRQoL during the early postoperative period did not merge within the 5 years. Scores on the diarrhea and body image scales revealed "moderate changes" in both groups. Conclusions: During the 5-year period after surgery, the TG group suffered from inferior HRQoL compared to the DSG group. However, a large proportion of the DSG group also suffered HRQoL deterioration. In general, the TG group experienced more HRQoL decline, with diarrhea and body image being the major concerns for both groups. To improve HRQoL after gastrectomy, patients must be better informed about post-gastrectomy symptoms. These symptoms must be vigorously investigated, and medical interventions should be available parallel to nutritional support. Favorable evidence of function-preserving gastrectomy should be established and disseminated to improve the HRQoL of early gastric cancer patients.

• Journal of Gastric Cancer
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• v.13 no.4
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• pp.263-265
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• 2013

Intussusception is a rare cause of postoperative intestinal obstruction in adults. Many retrograde intussusceptions occur during the period following gastrectomy. A 77-year-old woman visited our hospital because of detected gastric adenocarcinoma. She received radical total gastrectomy with Roux-en-Y esophagojejunostomy. On the fifth postoperative day, she complained of abdominal pain, and we found leakage at the esophagojejunostomy site and dilatation of the Roux limb and the afferent limb of the jejunojejunostomy. Emergency surgery was performed. Retrograde jejunojejunal intussusception accompanied with a nasojejunal feeding tube was found at the efferent loop of the jejunojejunostomy. No ischemic change was found; therefore, manual reduction and primary repair of esophagojejunostomy was performed. She was discharged without complications on the 23rd re-postoperativeday. We suggest that the nasojejunal feeding tube acted as a trigger of intussusception because there was no definitive small bowel mass or postoperative adhesion. We present our findings here along with a brief review of the literature.