Modified stomach-partitioning gastrojejunostomy for initially unresectable advanced gastric cancer with outlet obstruction: A case report

Abstract

BACKGROUND

Chemotherapy followed by gastrojejunostomy remains the main treatment for unresectable gastric cancer (GC) in the middle- or lower-third regions with gastric outlet obstruction (GOO). Radical surgery is performed as part of a multimodal treatment strategy for selected patients who respond well to chemotherapy. This study describes a case of successful radical resection with completely laparoscopic subtotal gastrectomy after a modified stomach-partitioning gastrojejunostomy (SPGJ) for obstruction relief, in a patient with GOO.

CASE SUMMARY

During the initial esophagogastroduodenoscopy, an advanced growth was detected in the lower part of the stomach, which caused an obstruction in the pyloric ring. Following this, a computed tomography (CT) scan revealed the presence of lymph node metastases and tumor invasion in the duodenum, but no evidence of distant metastasis was found. Consequently, we performed a modified SPGJ, a complete laparoscopic SPGJ combined with No. 4sb lymph node dissection, for obstruction relief. Seven courses of adjuvant capecitabine plus oxaliplatin combined with Toripalimab (programmed death ligand-1 inhibitor) were administered thereafter. A preoperative CT showed partial response; therefore, completely laparoscopic radical subtotal gastrectomy with D2 lymphadenectomy was performed after conversion therapy, and pathological complete remission was achieved.

CONCLUSION

Laparoscopic SPGJ combined with No. 4sb lymph node dissection was an effective surgical technique for initially unresectable GC with GOO.

Key Words: Gastrojejunostomy; Gastric cancer; Gastric outlet obstruction; Conversion therapy; Curative resection; Case report

Core Tip: Radical resection, which may improve long-term survival, is often challenging in unresectable gastric cancer (GC) with gastric outlet obstruction (GOO) due to the management of complete gastrointestinal anastomoses and abdominal adhesions caused by gastrojejunostomy. We present a successful case of radical resection after laparoscopic stomach-partitioning gastrojejunostomy (SPGJ) combined with No. 4sb lymph node dissection, followed by conversion therapy; pathological complete remission was achieved. This case suggests that laparoscopic SPGJ combined with No. 4sb lymph node dissection is an option for initially unresectable GC with GOO.

INTRODUCTION

Gastric cancer (GC) is one of the most common malignancies globally. In 2020, there were 768793 GC-related deaths, accounting for approximately 7.7% of total cancer deaths among 185 countries[1]. As GC is rarely detected at an early stage, the morbidity and mortality rates are high, with 5-year survival rates ranging from 20% to 40% in most countries[2,3]. Curative resection is essential for long-term survival. For patients with unresectable or metastatic GC, the median survival time is 4.3 mo with best supportive care[4], which can be extended to 10.5-11.6 mo with chemotherapy[5]. For unresectable GC in the middle- or lower-third with gastric outlet obstruction (GOO), chemotherapy followed by gastrojejunostomy remains the main therapeutic approach. Treatment modalities of adjuvant combination therapy, include combined targeted drugs or hyperthermic intraperitoneal perfusion chemotherapy[6-8]. For gastric adenocarcinoma, nivolumab plus chemotherapy demonstrated superior overall survival vs chemotherapy alone at the 12-mo follow-up in the randomized, global CheckMate 649 phase 3 trial[9]. The development of agents for GC has encouraged us to perform radical surgery for patients with initially unresectable GC who were converted to resectable status following their response to chemotherapy plus programmed death (PD)-1 inhibitor.

However, radical surgery is often challenging for patients who have undergone gastrojejunostomy. We report a successful case of radical resection utilizing completely laparoscopic subtotal gastrectomy with D2 lymph node dissection after completely laparoscopic stomach-partitioning gastrojejunostomy (SPGJ) combined with No. 4sb lymph node dissection, followed by adjuvant capecitabine plus oxaliplatin (CAPOX) combined with Toripalimab (PD-1 inhibitor), in a patient with GOO.

CASE PRESENTATION

Chief complaints

A 58-year-old woman presented with abdominal distension and vomiting.

History of present illness

The patient had previously attended a local hospital complaining of abdominal distension and vomiting. During the esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD), it was observed that there was an advanced growth located in the lower part of the stomach, causing a narrowing that made it difficult for the scope to pass through. Pathological examination of the biopsy confirmed the diagnosis of cancer. Afterwards, she was admitted to our hospital where she underwent a comprehensive medical examination and treatment.

History of past illness

The patient had been successfully treated for right breast cancer with surgery and adjuvant chemotherapy 17 years earlier.

Personal and family history

There was no record of smoking or alcohol consumption in the patient’s medical history, and there was no pertinent family medical history.

Physical examination

Mild tenderness was noted in the upper abdomen.

Laboratory examinations

No positive findings were obtained from standard laboratory examinations (including routine blood, and liver function, renal function, and tumor markers).

Imaging examinations

EGD detected an advanced lesion in the lower part of the stomach. The lesion was obstructing the pyloric ring and invading the duodenum (Figure 1A-C). Histological examination of the biopsies led to a diagnosis of poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma (Figure 1D). Computed tomography (CT) showed lymph node metastases and tumor invasion into the duodenum (Figure 1E-H) without distant metastases. Pathological examination revealed human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 negative, Ki-67 (+, 90%), and pMMR based on immunohistochemistry.

Figure 1 Clinical data of the patient at the initial diagnosis. A-C: Normal endoscopic showing primary tumor invasion to the antrum (A), pyloric ring (B), and duodenum (C); D: Pathological examination of the endoscopic biopsy revealed a poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma; E-H: Initial computed tomography showing primary tumor invasion to the duodenum (E) and lymph node metastases (F-H).

FINAL DIAGNOSIS

The final diagnosis was GC cT4aN2M0 c Stage III, according to the American Joint Committee on Cancer TNM Staging Classification for Carcinoma of the Stomach (8^th ed, 2017).

TREATMENT

Completely laparoscopic SPGJ combined with No. 4sb lymph node dissection

The staging laparoscopy indicated the absence of liver metastases or spreading, and the lavage cytology test results were negative. It was also confirmed that the lower part of the stomach body was immobile due to cancerous invasion into the duodenum. After the left gastroepiploic vessels were severed at their origin near the splenic tail, No. 4sb lymph nodes were dissected. The stomach was transected with a 60 mm linear stapler, from the greater curvature, extending 2 cm from the lesser curvature, at least 5 cm proximal to the tumor or site of obstruction. Thereafter, a small opening was made in the jejunum at the antimesenteric border, 25 cm from the ligament of Treitz. A second opening was made in the stapling line on the greater curvature side of the gastric stump. Next, gastrojejunostomy was performed using a laparoscopic linear stapler. Using the same equipment, the proximal and distal jejunum were anastomosed to form a jejunojejunostomy, 60 mm in length. The anastomotic stoma was established 15 cm from the ligament of Treitz and 25 cm from the gastrojejunostomy anastomosis (Figure 2). The surgery lasted for 1 h and 10 min, and the total amount of blood loss was 20 mL. No intra- and post-operative complications were observed. Post-operative upper digestive tract radiography indicated a good passage to the jejunum and drainage route in the lesser curvature (Figure 3A). The time to oral feeding was 3 d, and the post-operative hospital stay was 6 d.

Figure 2 Stomach-partitioning gastrojejunostomy and Braun anastomosis combined with No. 4sb lymph node dissection. A: Intraoperative laparoscopic images; B: Illustration of the modified stomach-partitioning gastrojejunostomy.

Figure 3 Clinical data of the patient after operation and conversion therapy. A: Upper digestive tract radiography showed a good passage to the jejunum; B: Endoscopic showing good drainage route in the lesser curvature; C: Endoscopic evidence of good reduction of primary tumor.

Conversion therapy and toxicities

Twenty days after laparoscopic SPGJ, seven courses of CAPOX combined with Toripalimab (capecitabine 1500 mg/d on days 1-14, oxaliplatin 100 mg/m² on day 1, and Toripalimab 240 mg/d on day 1, Q3W) were performed. With this regimen, only grade 2 elevations in leukopenia were observed, and no serious adverse events of grade 3 or greater according to the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events version 5.0 were detected.

Radiological assessment

After conversion therapy, EGD showed a good drainage route in the lesser curvature and detected shrinkage of the primary tumor, allowing the endoscope to pass (Figure 3B and C). CT showed significant reduction in size of primary tumor and metastatic lymph nodes (Figure 4A-D). Clinical response was defined as a partial response on radiological examination according to the Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors criteria version 1.0. The preoperative diagnosis was ycT3N0M0 yc Stage IIB.

Figure 4 Computed tomography findings after conversion therapy. A: Primary tumor reduction; B-D: Metastatic lymph node reduction.

Completely laparoscopic subtotal gastrectomy with D2 lymph node dissection

Following dissection of the adhesions between the omentum and the abdominal wall, it was confirmed that there were no liver metastases or spreading. Rapid lavage cytology results showed the absence of cancer cells in the ascites. Infra-pyloric dissection was performed by ligating the right gastro-epiploic vessels. The duodenum was divided at 2 cm below the pyloric ring using a 60 mm linear stapler. Negative margins were confirmed by intraoperative frozen pathology. The right gastric artery was ligated from its origin in the right hepatic artery. The peritoneum over the porta hepatis and the lesser omentum were excised. The supra-pancreatic dissection continued with the removal of No. 8a and No. 12a lymph nodes. After ligation of the right gastric vein, the pancreatic capsule was dissected from the root of the left gastric artery to the proximal splenic artery. The left gastric artery was then transected. The proximal splenic artery was skeletonized to dissect the No. 11 lymph nodes. The No. 3 and No. 1 lymph nodes were then dissected along the lesser curvature of the stomach. After D2 lymphadenectomy, the stomach was divided along the SPGJ line using a 60 mm linear stapler. The anastomoses created in previous operations were used throughout (Figure 5). The total operation time was 1 h and 55 min and the total blood loss was 50 mL. No intra- and post-operative complications were observed. The time to oral feeding was 1 d, and the post-operative hospital stay was 5 d.

Figure 5 Subtotal gastrectomy with D2 lymph node dissection. A: Intraoperative laparoscopic images; B: Illustration of the gastrectomy, the anastomoses completed in the previous operation were preserved.

OUTCOME AND FOLLOW-UP

Pathological complete remission was achieved (Figure 6). Post-operative therapy was not performed due to the good response to the seven courses of preoperative therapy. No recurrences were observed 17 mo post-operatively. Table 1 shows the timeline from the onset of symptoms to the completion of treatment.

Figure 6 Post-operative pathology showed no residual tumor cells, and a pathological complete response was achieved. A: Hematoxylin and eosin staining results, × 4; B: Hematoxylin and eosin staining results, × 40.

Table 1 Timeline from the onset of symptoms to the completion of treatment.

Time series	Symptoms and treatment details
9 mo ago	She presented with symptoms of abdominal distension and vomiting and visited a hospital
	A gastric tube was inserted to drain food residue from the stomach
8 mo ago	Staging laparoscopy confirmed no liver metastasis, no dissemination, and negative lavage cytological results
	Laparoscopic stomach-partitioning gastrojejunostomy and Braun anastomosis combined with No. 4sb lymph node dissection were performed
1-7 mo ago	CAPOX + Toripalimab 1-7
The date of radical surgery	Completely laparoscopic subtotal gastrectomy with D2 lymph node dissection was done
11 mo after surgery	CT shows no recurrence

CT: Computed tomography; CAPOX: Capecitabine plus oxaliplatin.

DISCUSSION

We present the successful case of a radical resection performed with a completely laparoscopic subtotal gastrectomy with D2 lymph node dissection after laparoscopic SPGJ combined with No. 4sb lymph node dissection, followed by CAPOX combined with Toripalimab for advanced GC with GOO.

Chemotherapy is one of the main treatments for advanced GC. GOO is a common condition among patients suffering from unresectable distal gastric tumors, which present with nausea and vomiting, and can cause dehydration, weight loss, and impaired chemotherapy tolerance for patients, hastening their demise. Traditionally, duodenal stent or gastrojejunostomy have been recommended as first-line treatment options for unresectable GC with GOO. For patients with good performance status and a favorable prognosis, the latter option is regarded as the preferred primary treatment[10].

Yamaguchi et al[11] reported long-term survivors in patients who underwent conversion surgery for stage IV GC. Therefore, radical surgery is performed during the treatment as part of a multimodal treatment strategy for selected patients who respond well to chemotherapy[11]. Many clinical trials have been performed for immunotherapy as a first-line treatment for advanced GC/gastroesophageal junction carcinoma and revealed encouraging results. The objective response rate was 60% and 67% in the cohort 2 study of KEYNOTE059 and ATTRACTION-04, respectively, when immune checkpoint inhibitors combined with chemotherapy were used as first-line therapy[12-14]. The development of agents for GC has encouraged us to perform radical surgery.

However, for patients who undergo gastrojejunostomy, radical surgery is often challenging for the following reasons: First, abdominal adhesions are often severe due to previous operations, especially laparotomy; this can cause significant interference in locating normal tissue spaces, dissecting lymph nodes, excising tumors, and anastomosing; Second, if the original anastomosis requires removal, the difficulty and risk of the operation greatly increases. Therefore, sufficient negative margins should be ensured. Moreover, No. 4sb lymph node dissection, especially in cases where the original anastomosis is retained, enables the short gastric vessels to be easily injured, which may cause gastric ischemia and spleen laceration, resulting in bleeding.

To solve these problems, we modified the operation based on the SPGJ[15] and named it the modular two-stage laparoscopic gastrectomy (MTLG). In MTLG, the gastrectomy and gastrointestinal anastomoses are divided into two modules and two stages. Module I was located on the upper side of the SPGJ line. Stage I surgery was performed for total laparoscopic SPGJ and Braun anastomosis combined with No. 4sb lymph node dissection. Module II was located inferiorly, and stage II surgery was offered for total laparoscopic subtotal gastrectomy with D2 lymphadenectomy (Figures 2B and 5B).

As a result, we observed the following advantages of MTLG: First, the incidence of post-operative complications was low, and operations could be completed using total laparoscopy to ensure less invasiveness, rapid post-operative recovery, and minimal abdominal adhesions. Second, SPGJ utilization: (1) Reduced the risk of bleeding from lesions caused by food stimulation; (2) Prevented the tumor from spreading to the gastrojejunal anastomosis; (3) Improved gastric emptying while maintaining endoscopic access to the region distal to the bypass; and (4) Obviated duodenal stump leaks. Third, it was conducive for SPGJ after No. 4sb lymph node dissection. Furthermore, patients only required subtotal gastrectomy with D2 lymphadenectomy in stage II surgery after conversion therapy to avoid anastomotic stomas, short gastric blood vessels, and splenic injuries caused by No. 4sb lymph node dissection. The anastomosis completed in the first stage continued to be used, and the two modules did not interfere with each other. Fourth, adding the Braun anastomosis to the gastrojejunostomy reconstruction could reduce the incidence of reflux gastritis. Fifth, even in the case of unsuccessful conversion, patients were able to eat soon after, and decreased post-operative morbidity, improved quality of life, and better prognosis after SPGJ were achieved[16].

CONCLUSION

Laparoscopic SPGJ combined with No. 4sb lymph node dissection is safe and effective for GOO. This procedure followed by chemotherapy and immunotherapy may be an effective treatment strategy before radical surgery.