Ileocolic Interposition as a Gastric Substitute in Patients with Total Gastrectomy; Case Series and Literature Review

The standard method for reconstruction after total gastrectomy is Roux-en-Y reconstruction, which has several negative points such as malabsorption. The most important reasons for weight loss in these patients are reserval insufficiency and reduction of food-digestive juice blending. We suggest that the creation of a food reserve with a natural conduit by ileocolic interposition may help the patient to have more normal diet habits and prevent severe weight loss.

The study enrolled 8 patients with proximal gastric cancer, who underwent total gastrectomy with omentectomy and D2 lymphadenectomy. Then, the ileocolic segment with its vasculature was prepared and the anastomosis was done like right colon interposition between esophagus and duodenum. Intraoperative and postoperative events and also nutritional conditions were recorded.

Among 8 patients enrolled in the study, not an intraoperative bad event nor anastomotic site leakage, abscess formation, or other significant post-operative complication were seen. Except for the first two patients, the rest did not suffer from dysphagia. None of the patients suffered from delayed, chronic, or uncontrolled vomiting. All patients experienced weight loss postoperatively but after 2 months, they gained weight. Barium examination and also upper endoscopy revealed that the patients had normal reserval volume, no evidence of erosion or ulceration, no evidence of biliary esophagitis or reflux, and absence of tumor relapse.

Because of the nutritional benefits of ileocolic interposition after total gastrectomy in gastric cancer treatment, it can be used as an acceptable alternative method of reconstruction in a subgroup of selected patients.