Gastrectomy

Procedure
Examine peritoneal cavity for metastatic disease.
Confirm resectability.
1. Form avascular plane between transverse mesocolon and greater omentum (sharp)
2. Dissect greater omentum off colon.
3. Separate anterior sheath of transverse mesocolon back to pancreas (no evidence for taking pancreatic capsule).
4. Take short gastrics and lateral omental attachments, e.g. with ligasure, as far as dictated by need:
5. For distal cancers = subtotal gastrectomy (RCTs show no diff in survival vs total gastrectomy); for proximal cancers: total gastrectomy; cardiac = oesophagogastrectomy.
-  reconstruction by oesophageal anastomosis to a Roux-en-Y segment of jejunum.
- intestinal pouch has no clear nutritional value, and increases risks of immediate complications.
6. Isolate duodenum and transect using a GIA stapler, 2-3cm distal to pylorus; avoid leaving antrum.
7. Dissect along porta hepatis toward coeliacs, taking all nodal tissue anterior to portal vein.
- nodes between common hepatic and superior portion of pancreas reflected towards coeliac.
8. L gastric identified, divided at base, and nodal tissue wept off right crus.
9. L Splenic artery dissected along superior pancreas, lymph nodes taken toward splenic hilum.
10. Divide proximal specimen.
11. Reconstruct: Billroth II or Roux-en-Y for subtotal (latter favoured for lack of bile reflux). Roux-en-Y for total.

Cameron