OBJECTIVETo compare the long-term outcomes of Billroth-I and Roux-en-Y reconstruction after distal gastrectomy.

METHODSClinical data of 151 patients with gastric cancer undergoing distal gastrectomy in the Affiliated Oncologic Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University between June 2000 and June 2010 were analyzed retrospectively. Reconstruction was performed with Billroth-I in 87 patients (B-I group) and Roux-en-Y in 64 (R-Y group). All the patients were followed up for at least 3 years. Three years after operation, clinical symptoms, endoscopic findings, nutritional status, gallstone formation, and late gastrointestinal complications were compared between the two groups.

RESULTSThree years after operation, gastroesophageal reflux symptoms were found in 10 patients (11.5%) in B-I group and in 3 (4.7%) in R-Y group, and dumping syndrome was diagnosed in 8 patients (9.2%) in B-I group and in 3 (4.7%) in R-Y group, but the differences between the two groups were not statistically significant (both P>0.05). Endoscopic examination showed that the amount of residue in the gastric stump, remnant gastritis-reflux esophagitis, and bile reflux in R-Y group were better as compared to B-I group (all P<0.05). Body weight, serum albumin level, and total cholesterol level were similar in the two groups (all P>0.05). The incidences of gallstone formation and late gastrointestinal complications did not differ between B-I group and R-Y group (13.2% vs. 15.8%, and 8.0% vs. 4.7% respectively, both P>0.05).

CONCLUSIONAs compared with Billroth-I, Roux-en-Y is associated with better long-term outcomes in terms of less remnant gastritis-reflux esophagitis and less bile reflux into the gastric remnant.