Preventive management at the esophagojejunal anastomosis after gastrectomy for gastric cancer

Over a time period of 12 months (from 01/01/2002 - 12/31/2002), 1,199 patients with gastric carcinoma, carcinoma of the esophagogastral junction, or gastrointestinal stroma tumor (GIST) were enrolled. In 1,139 patients, histologic investigation revealed a gastric carcinoma. Gastrectomy was the preferred procedure in 649 patients resulting in a gastrectomy rate of 62.9 % related to all patients who underwent operation (curative and palliative intention, 80.3 % and 19.7%, respectively). The insufficiency rate of the esophagojejunal anastornosis was 5.7 % (37 / 649). Neither the comparison between the various procedures for reconstruction of the esophagojejunal passage and anastomosing techniques after gastrectomy nor that between gastrectomies with curative and palliative intention revealed any significant difference. Dysphagia and gastric outlet syndrome because of a stenosis were determined as independent variables.