Correlation between the length of the pyloric cuff and postoperative evaluation after pylorus-preserving gastrectomy

Abstract

Background. Recent years have seen the preserved pyloric cuff being lengthened in pylorus-preserving gastrectomy for early gastric cancer. We performed clinical assessment of the symptoms after pylorus-preserving gastrectomy in patients treated at the National Cancer Center Hospital in Japan during the past 9 years. Methods. Four hundred and fi fty-six patients who had undergone pylorus-preserving gastrectomy and been followed up for at least 3 years were studied. We classifi ed the patients into two groups according to the length of the pyloric cuff (group A, within 3.0 cm; group B, more than 3.0 cm). Medical records were reviewed for further histological and follow-up data. A questionnaire regarding dumping syndrome and gastric stasis was also completed by the patients. Results. Our results showed no statistically significant differences in symptoms, such as dumping syndrome or emptying disturbances, between the two groups. Conclusion. Our study revealed that the differences in several functions and symptom scales were not pronounced between the two groups. Regardless of the length of the pyloric cuff, pylorus-preserving gastrectomy can be utilized for the treatment of early gastric cancer even if the tumor is located proximal to the middle body. © 2010 by International and Japanese Gastric Cancer Associations.