A novel, easier and safer alternative method for oesophagojejunal reconstruction after totally laparoscopic total gastrectomy.

BACKGROUND: This study presents a novel laparoscopic modified overlapping oesophagojejunostomy anastomosis method which consists of self-pulling and latter transection to perform a safer anastomosis, describes the anastomosis technique in detail and reveals its short-term outcomes.

METHODS: Forty-five patients underwent totally laparoscopic total gastrectomy using the self-pulling and oesophagus latter-cut overlap method anastomosis for gastric cancer from January 2019-2022. During the self-pulling phase, the oesophagus was ligated at the level of the gastroesophageal junction or above and dragged down by a ligature rope to mobilise up to 5-6 cm. An entry hole was created on the right side of the oesophagus, and a nasogastric tube was taken out through the hole and tip of the tube was used as a guide for the endoscopic linear stapler to decrease the risk of entering the false lumen and creating a side-to-side anastomosis. The oesophagus was then latter-transected by a second endoscopic linear stapler. The common entry hole was closed using a hand-sewing method. Clinicopathological characteristics and surgical outcomes were collected and retrospectively evaluated.

RESULTS: The mean anastomosis duration was 27 min. The morbidity rate was 4.4%. Only two patients experienced postoperative complications but subsequently recovered conservatively. None of the patients suffered anastomotic leak or stricture.

CONCLUSIONS: Self-pulling and latter transection-based overlapping anastomosis is a simple and reliable approach that overcomes most of the limitations of standard overlap method and provides satisfactory surgical outcomes.