The da Vinci Surgical System provides surgeons with a three-dimensional image view with greater clarity, which improves surgical precision, particularly in confined surgical spaces. Compared to laparoscopic surgery, robotic surgery has a shorter learning curve and may be a better choice for surgeons. However, some surgeons are susceptible to laparoscopic experience when performing robotic surgery, which can diminish the advantages of the robotic system. We discussed some key issues such as indications, use of energy instruments, surgical approach, lymph node dissection, and digestive tract reconstruction, from the habit of laparoscopic surgery, in light of our team's experience with robotic radical gastric cancer surgery and the latest literature, in order to help beginners better understand the robotic surgical system.

Objective:To investigate the feasibility and safety of laparoscopic purse- string suture clamps combined with multi-functional seal caps for esophagojejunal Roux-en-Y anastomosis during total laparoscopic radical total gastrectomy (TLTG).Methods:This was a retrospective descriptive study of 42 patients with primary gastric malignancies who underwent TLTG at the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University that utilized laparoscopic purse-string suture clamps and multi-functional seal caps for esophagojejunal anastomosis between May, 2024 and January, 2025. The cohort included 33 males and 9 females, with a mean age of (67.7 ±9.5) years and a mean body mass index (BMI) of (23.9±2.9) kg/m 2. The American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) physical status classifications were I - II in 40 patients and III in 2 patients, and all patients were definitively diagnosed preoperatively via gastroscopy, dual-energy CT, and/or MRI. Tumor locations included the gastroesophageal junction (GEJ) in 28 cases (Siewert type II - III), the upper third of the stomach in 12 cases, and the middle third in 2 cases. The median distance of esophageal invasion was 1.3 cm, though in 10 cases this was ≥2 cm. Preoperative TNM staging was I-II in 17 patients and III in 25 patients. Surgical outcomes including operative time, anastomosis time, intraoperative blood loss, pathological results, and postoperative recovery were retrospectively analyzed. Results:All 42 operations were successful. The mean operative time was(212.5±26.4) minutes, and the average time from multi-functional seal cap placement to completion of the esophagojejunal anastomosis was (54.2±7.5) minutes. Mean intraoperative blood loss was (79.9±21.3) ml. Postoperative pathology confirmed R0 resection in all specimens, with a mean proximal esophageal margin distance of (2.1±1.6) cm. Furthermore, (51.9±15.1) lymph nodes on average were harvested from each patient; the mean time to oral intake was (149.5±41.4) hours; and the mean hospital stay was (11.3±5.4) days. Postoperative complications occurred in 6 patients: anastomotic leakage ( n=2), residual intra-abdominal infection ( n=1), pulmonary infection ( n=3), and Clavien-Dindo grade III or higher complications occurred in 2 patients. No recurrence, mortality, or anastomosis-related complications were observed within a median follow-up of 5.8 months (range 3.5-11.2). Conclusion:We find the application of the laparoscopic purse-string suture clamps and multi-functional seal caps for esophagojejunal anastomosis in TLTG to be safe and feasible, with satisfactory short-term outcomes.

The da Vinci Surgical System provides surgeons with a three-dimensional image view with greater clarity, which improves surgical precision, particularly in confined surgical spaces. Compared to laparoscopic surgery, robotic surgery has a shorter learning curve and may be a better choice for surgeons. However, some surgeons are susceptible to laparoscopic experience when performing robotic surgery, which can diminish the advantages of the robotic system. We discussed some key issues such as indications, use of energy instruments, surgical approach, lymph node dissection, and digestive tract reconstruction, from the habit of laparoscopic surgery, in light of our team's experience with robotic radical gastric cancer surgery and the latest literature, in order to help beginners better understand the robotic surgical system.

Objective:To investigate the feasibility and safety of laparoscopic purse- string suture clamps combined with multi-functional seal caps for esophagojejunal Roux-en-Y anastomosis during total laparoscopic radical total gastrectomy (TLTG).Methods:This was a retrospective descriptive study of 42 patients with primary gastric malignancies who underwent TLTG at the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University that utilized laparoscopic purse-string suture clamps and multi-functional seal caps for esophagojejunal anastomosis between May, 2024 and January, 2025. The cohort included 33 males and 9 females, with a mean age of (67.7 ±9.5) years and a mean body mass index (BMI) of (23.9±2.9) kg/m 2. The American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) physical status classifications were I - II in 40 patients and III in 2 patients, and all patients were definitively diagnosed preoperatively via gastroscopy, dual-energy CT, and/or MRI. Tumor locations included the gastroesophageal junction (GEJ) in 28 cases (Siewert type II - III), the upper third of the stomach in 12 cases, and the middle third in 2 cases. The median distance of esophageal invasion was 1.3 cm, though in 10 cases this was ≥2 cm. Preoperative TNM staging was I-II in 17 patients and III in 25 patients. Surgical outcomes including operative time, anastomosis time, intraoperative blood loss, pathological results, and postoperative recovery were retrospectively analyzed. Results:All 42 operations were successful. The mean operative time was(212.5±26.4) minutes, and the average time from multi-functional seal cap placement to completion of the esophagojejunal anastomosis was (54.2±7.5) minutes. Mean intraoperative blood loss was (79.9±21.3) ml. Postoperative pathology confirmed R0 resection in all specimens, with a mean proximal esophageal margin distance of (2.1±1.6) cm. Furthermore, (51.9±15.1) lymph nodes on average were harvested from each patient; the mean time to oral intake was (149.5±41.4) hours; and the mean hospital stay was (11.3±5.4) days. Postoperative complications occurred in 6 patients: anastomotic leakage ( n=2), residual intra-abdominal infection ( n=1), pulmonary infection ( n=3), and Clavien-Dindo grade III or higher complications occurred in 2 patients. No recurrence, mortality, or anastomosis-related complications were observed within a median follow-up of 5.8 months (range 3.5-11.2). Conclusion:We find the application of the laparoscopic purse-string suture clamps and multi-functional seal caps for esophagojejunal anastomosis in TLTG to be safe and feasible, with satisfactory short-term outcomes.

Objective:To collect and analyze the quality control data of gastric cancer surgery in Jiangsu Province from 2020 to 2022,and study the role of publishing surgical quality control data in promoting the improvement of gastric cancer surgery of China. Methods:An online questionnaire was created and distributed to the members of Jiangsu Gastric Cancer Union(JSGCU).The questionnaire collected information including the basic situation of hospital,the diagnosis and treatment of early gastric cancer,advanced gastric cancer and metastatic gastric cancer,the digestive tract reconstruction,the surgical safety,the economic indicators,and so on. Results:The quality control data of gastric cancer surgery in Jiangsu Province from 2020 to 2022 were consistently collected and published.The data analysis results show that there was a gradual increase in the percent of patients with stage Ⅰ gastric cancer,reflecting the success efforts of early screening and diagnosis.Laparoscopic surgery showed a steady increase and became the mainstream approach for curative surgery of gastric cancer in Jiangsu Province.The percent of hospital with lymph node dissection≥30 was also increased.Different locations of gastric cancer exhibited specific patterns in the choice of anastomosis methods after curative surgery.The rate of grade 3 or higher complications in laparoscopic gastric cancer surgery was slightly lower than that in open surgery.For patients experiencing complications,their postoperative hospitalization duration and expenditure were significantly higher.Finally,there was a gradual increase in the proportion of hospital choosing to close the mesentery during gastric cancer surgery. Conclusion:The publication of the quality control data of gastric cancer surgery in Jiangsu Province has driven the improvement of gastric cancer surgery standards of China.

Objective:To share the results of laparoscopic assisted proximal gastrectomy λ- shaped modified double tract reconstruction.Method:This study retrospectively included 3 patients during January 2024 from the Department of Gastric Surgery at the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University using the λ-shaped modified double tract reconstruction. The procedure of the λ-shaped modified double tract reconstruction is as follows. After completing proximal gastrectomy, the jejunum is transected 15 cm from the Treitz ligament. A suture is made 18-20 cm from the distal jejunum to mark the esophagojejunal anastomosis site. A circular stapler anvil is inserted through the distal jejunum, and the remaining end of the jejunum is turned to the right. The circular stapler is pierced through the marked site for an esophagojejunal end-to-end anastomosis, which is reinforced with a barbed suture continuously. A 60mm linear stapler is used to close the remaining end of the jejunum. We then mark the gastric side of the gastrojejunal anastomosis with suture in the middle of the anterior wall of the residual stomach, and mark the jejunal side of the gastrojejunal anastomosis at a distance of about 2 cm and 8 cm from the residual end of the distal jejunum. We make an opening of about 0.5 cm and use a 60 mm linear stapler to perform anastomosis on the jejunal side of the anterior wall of the residual stomach according to the markings, so that the distance between the esophagojejunal anastomosis and the gastrojejunal anastomosis is 10-12 cm. The common opening is closed with barbed wire. About 50 cm below the esophagojejunal anastomosis, the small intestine opening is anastomosed side to side using a circular stapler and the common opening is closed. Return the jejunum into the abdominal cavity to complete the reconstruction of the λ-shaped double tract reconstruction. We analyzed the surgery and postoperative conditions, including surgery time, anastomosis time, intraoperative bleeding, tumor size and pathology, postoperative mobilization, passage of gas and water intake time, discharge time, postoperative complications, and postoperative gastrointestinal imaging to observe the passage of food through the gastric and intestinal loops.Results:Three patients successfully received laparoscopic assisted proximal gastrectomy with λ-shaped modified double tract reconstruction. The surgical time was 155 minutes, 240 minutes, and 160 minutes, respectively; The postoperative time for first ambulation was 20 hours, 18 hours, and 26 hours, respectively. The time for passage of gas was 59 hours, 83 hours, and 75 hours, respectively. The drinking time was 66 hours, 87 hours, and 90 hours, respectively. The postoperative discharge days were all 7 days. No surgical related complications occurred. On the 6th day and 3 months after surgery, gastrointestinal angiography was performed. The contrast agent passed smoothly through the jejunal loop and residual stomach jejunal loop, and both sides were unobstructed. No contrast agent was found to retrograde to the esophagojejunal anastomosis.Conclusion:Laparoscopic assisted proximal gastrectomy with λ-shaped modified double tract reconstruction is safe and feasible, as it improves the diversion of food through the residual stomach while ensuring anti-reflux effects.

Objective:To share the results of laparoscopic assisted proximal gastrectomy λ- shaped modified double tract reconstruction.Method:This study retrospectively included 3 patients during January 2024 from the Department of Gastric Surgery at the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University using the λ-shaped modified double tract reconstruction. The procedure of the λ-shaped modified double tract reconstruction is as follows. After completing proximal gastrectomy, the jejunum is transected 15 cm from the Treitz ligament. A suture is made 18-20 cm from the distal jejunum to mark the esophagojejunal anastomosis site. A circular stapler anvil is inserted through the distal jejunum, and the remaining end of the jejunum is turned to the right. The circular stapler is pierced through the marked site for an esophagojejunal end-to-end anastomosis, which is reinforced with a barbed suture continuously. A 60mm linear stapler is used to close the remaining end of the jejunum. We then mark the gastric side of the gastrojejunal anastomosis with suture in the middle of the anterior wall of the residual stomach, and mark the jejunal side of the gastrojejunal anastomosis at a distance of about 2 cm and 8 cm from the residual end of the distal jejunum. We make an opening of about 0.5 cm and use a 60 mm linear stapler to perform anastomosis on the jejunal side of the anterior wall of the residual stomach according to the markings, so that the distance between the esophagojejunal anastomosis and the gastrojejunal anastomosis is 10-12 cm. The common opening is closed with barbed wire. About 50 cm below the esophagojejunal anastomosis, the small intestine opening is anastomosed side to side using a circular stapler and the common opening is closed. Return the jejunum into the abdominal cavity to complete the reconstruction of the λ-shaped double tract reconstruction. We analyzed the surgery and postoperative conditions, including surgery time, anastomosis time, intraoperative bleeding, tumor size and pathology, postoperative mobilization, passage of gas and water intake time, discharge time, postoperative complications, and postoperative gastrointestinal imaging to observe the passage of food through the gastric and intestinal loops.Results:Three patients successfully received laparoscopic assisted proximal gastrectomy with λ-shaped modified double tract reconstruction. The surgical time was 155 minutes, 240 minutes, and 160 minutes, respectively; The postoperative time for first ambulation was 20 hours, 18 hours, and 26 hours, respectively. The time for passage of gas was 59 hours, 83 hours, and 75 hours, respectively. The drinking time was 66 hours, 87 hours, and 90 hours, respectively. The postoperative discharge days were all 7 days. No surgical related complications occurred. On the 6th day and 3 months after surgery, gastrointestinal angiography was performed. The contrast agent passed smoothly through the jejunal loop and residual stomach jejunal loop, and both sides were unobstructed. No contrast agent was found to retrograde to the esophagojejunal anastomosis.Conclusion:Laparoscopic assisted proximal gastrectomy with λ-shaped modified double tract reconstruction is safe and feasible, as it improves the diversion of food through the residual stomach while ensuring anti-reflux effects.

Objective:To improve the quality of 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) PET images at different acquisition times through deep learning (DL) PET image reconstruction methods. Methods:A total of 45 patients (20 males, 25 females; age (52.0±13.6) years) with malignant tumors and PET/CT scans from September 2020 to October 2020 in the Department of Nuclear Medicine of the First Hospital of Shanxi Medical University were included in this retrospective study. The short acquisition time 30 s/bed PET images from the raw list mode were selected as the input of DL model. DL image reconstruction model, based on the Unet algorithm, was trained to output imitated PET images with full dose standard acquisition time (3 min). The image quality evaluation and quantitative analysis were carried out for four groups of images: DL images, 30 s, 90 s, and 120 s images, respectively. The quality of PET images in four groups was evaluated using the five-point method. Liver background activities, lesions quantification parameters (maximum standardized uptake value (SUV max), mean standardized uptake value (SUV mean), standard deviation (SD), signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR)), and first-order texture features (skewness, kurtosis, uniformity, entropy) were measured. Kappa test, χ2 test and one-way analysis of variance (least significant difference t test) were used for data analysis. Results:The image quality scores between four groups were highly consistent ( Kappa=0.799, P<0.001). The number of patients with scores≥3 in DL, 30 s, 90 s and 120 s groups were 6, 4, 7 and 8, respectively ( χ2=125.47, P<0.001). The liver SD of DL group was significantly lower than that of 30 s group (0.26±0.07 vs 0.43±0.11; F=3.58, t=-7.91, P<0.05). The liver SNR of DL group was higher than that of 30 s group (11.04±4.36 vs 5.41±1.41; F=10.22, t=5.40, P<0.05). The liver SD and SNR of DL group were similar to those of 90 s group (0.39±0.16, 8.46±3.34; t values: -0.87 and 2.17, both P>0.05). In 18 tumor lesions with high uptake, SNR and CNR of DL group were significantly higher than those of 30 s group (60.21±29.26 vs 38.38±16.54, 22.26±15.85 vs 15.41±9.51; F values: 13.09 and 7.05; t values: 5.20 and 4.04, both P<0.001). There were statistically significant differences among four groups in the first-order texture features ( F values: 4.30-9.65, all P<0.05), but there was no significant difference between DL group and 120 s group ( t values: from -1.25 to 0.15, all P>0.05). Conclusion:DL reconstruction model can improve the quality of short-frame PET images, which meets the needs of clinical diagnosis, efficacy evaluation and radiomics research.

Objective:To investigate the short-term efficacy of totally laparoscopic distal gastrectomy (TLDG) after endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) versus direct TLDG for early gastric cancer.Methods:The propensity score matching and retrospective cohort study was conducted. The clinicopathological data of 623 patients with early gastric cancer who were admitted to the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University from March 2014 to December 2019 were collected. There were 405 males and 218 females, aged from 26 to 86 years, with a median age of 62 years. Of 623 patients, 25 cases undergoing TLDG after ESD were divided into ESD+TLDG group and 598 cases undergoing TLDG directly were divided into TLDG group. Observation indicators: (1) the propensity score matching conditions and comparison of general data between the two groups after propensity score matching; (2) intraoperative and postoperative situations of TLDG; (3) stratification analysis of the ESD+TLDG group. The propensity score matching was conducted by 1∶2 matching using the nearest neighbor method. Measurement data with normal distribution were represented as Mean±SD, and comparison between groups was done using the t test. Measurement data with skewed distribution were represented as M (range) and comparison between groups was done using the Mann-Whitney U test. Count data were represented as absolute numbers, and comparison between groups was analyzed using the chi-square test or Fisher exact probability. Comparison of ordinal data between groups was analyzed using the Mann-Whitney U test. Results:(1) The propensity score matching conditions and comparison of general data between the two groups after propensity score matching: 75 of 623 patients had successful matching, including 25 in the ESD+TLDG group and 50 in the TLDG group. Before propensity score matching, the body mass index (BMI), cases with tumor diameter ≤20 mm, 21 to 30 mm or>30 mm, cases with tumor classified as stage Ⅰ, stage Ⅱ or stage Ⅲ of clinical staging were (22.3±3.6)kg/m 2, 16, 6, 3, 24, 1, 0 of the ESD+TLDG group, respectively, versus (24.3±2.7)kg/m 2, 238, 125, 235, 312, 126, 160 of the TLDG group, showing significant differences in the above indicators between the two groups ( t=2.744, Z=?2.834, ?4.209, P<0.05). After propensity score matching, the BMI, cases with tumor diameter ≤20 mm, 21 to 30 mm or >30 mm, cases with tumor classified as stage Ⅰ or stage Ⅱ of clinical staging were (22.3±3.6)kg/m 2, 16, 6, 3, 24, 1 of the ESD+TLDG group, versus (23.6±2.9)kg/m 2, 29, 12, 9, 48, 2 of the TLDG group, showing no significant difference between the two groups ( t=1.542, Z=?0.597, 0.000, P>0.05). (2) Intraoperative and postoperative situations of TLDG: after propensity score matching, the operation time and time to postoperative drainage tube removal were 180 minutes(range, 124 to 289 minutes) and 6 days(range, 4 to 13 days) of the ESD+TLDG group,respectively,versus 170 minutes(range, 106 to 250 minutes) and 6 days (range, 4 to 9 days) of the TLDG group, showing significant differences between the two groups ( Z=-2.396, -3.039, P<0.05). Cases with the volume of intraoperative blood loss <50 mL, 50 to 100 mL or >100 mL, the number of lymph node dissected, duration of postoperative hospital stay, cases with perioperative complications as incision fat liquefaction, delayed gastric emptying, anastomotic bleeding or pulmonary infection were 7, 9, 9,34(range, 16 to 58), 8 days(range, 6 to 31 days), 1, 1, 0, 0 of the ESD+TLDG group,respectively,versus 18, 26, 6, 39 (range, 22 to 68), 8 days (range, 6 to 29 days), 0, 0, 1, 1 of the TLDG group, showing no significant difference between the two groups ( Z=-1.703, -1.958, -1.139, χ2=0.033, P>0.05). Cases with anastomotic bleeding were recovered after hemostasis under endoscopy and cases with other perioperative complications were recovered after conservative treatment. (3) Stratification analysis of the ESD+TLDG group. ① For 5 cases undergoing TLDG ≤14 days after ESD and 20 cases undergoing TLDG >14 days after ESD, the operation time of TLDG, cases with the volume of intraoperative blood loss <50 mL, 50 to 100 mL or >100 mL during TLDG, the number of lymph node dissected, time to postoperative drainage tube removal, duration of postoperative hospital stay, cases with perioperative complications were 200 minutes(range, 170 to 289 minutes), 0, 3, 2, 36(range, 9 to 57), 7 days(range, 5 to 9 days), 8 days(range, 7 to 9 days), 1 and 180 minutes (range, 124 to 253 minutes), 8, 6, 6, 34(range, 8 to 78), 6 days(range, 4 to 13 days), 8 days(range, 6 to 31 days), 1, respectively, showing no significant difference in the operation time of TLDG, volume of intraoperative blood loss during TLDG, the number of lymph node dissected, time to postoperative tube removal and duration of postoperative hospital stay between the two groups ( Z=?1.536, ?1.993, ?0.238, ?0.932, ?0.589, P>0.05), and no significant difference in cases with perioperative complications between the two groups ( P>0.05). ② For 13 cases undergoing TLDG ≤21 days after ESD and cases undergoing TLDG >21 days after ESD, the operation time of TLDG, cases with the volume of intraoperative blood loss as <50 mL, 50 to 100 mL or >100 mL during TLDG, the number of lymph node dissected, time to postoperative drainage tube removal, duration of postoperative hospital stay, cases with perioperative complications were 200 minutes(range, 145 to 289 minutes), 2, 6, 5, 34(range, 8 to 57), 6 days(range, 4 to 11 days), 8 days(range, 6 to 11 days), 1 and 179 minutes(range, 124 to 240 minutes), 6, 3, 3, 34(range, 16 to 78), 6 days(range, 5 to 13 days), 8 days(range, 6 to 31 days), 1, respectively, showing a significant difference in the operation time of TLDG between the two groups ( Z=?2.241, P<0.05), while showing no significant difference in the volume of intraoperative blood loss during TLDG, the number of lymph node dissected, time to postoperative drainage tube removal, duration of postoperative hospital stay between the two groups ( Z=?1.471, ?0.163, ?0.084, ?0.194, P>0.05) and no significant difference in cases with perioperative complications between the two groups ( P>0.05). ③ For 15 cases undergoing TLDG ≤28 days after ESD and 10 cases undergoing TLDG >28 days after ESD, the operation time of TLDG, cases with the volume of intraoperative blood loss <50 mL, 50 to 100 mL or >100 mL during TLDG, the number of lymph node dissected, time to postoperative drainage tube removal, duration of postoperative hospital stay, cases with perioperative complications were 190 minutes (range, 145 to 289 minutes), 2, 7, 6, 33(range, 8 to 57), 6 days(range, 4 to 11 days), 8 days(range, 6 to 31 days), 1 and 179 minutes(range, 124 to 240 minutes), 6, 2, 2, 37(range, 16 to 78), 6 days (range, 5 to 13 days), 8 days(range, 6 to 14 days), 1, respectively, showing no significant difference in the operation time of TLDG, volume of intraoperative blood loss during TLDG, the number of lymph node dissected, time to postoperative tube removal and duration of postoperative hospital stay between the two groups ( Z=?1.619, ?2.000, ?0.667, ?0.370, ?0.057, P>0.05), and no significant difference in cases with perioperative complications between the two groups ( P>0.05). Conclusions:Compared with cases undergoing TLDG directly, the operation time to TLDG and time to drainage tube removal after TLDG for cases undergoing ESD+TLDG are prolonged, but there is no difference in the short-term efficacy. For cases undergoing TLDG ≤21 days after ESD and cases undergoing TLDG >21 days after ESD, there is a significant difference in the operation time of TLDG.

The incidence of the esophagogastric junction (EGJ) cancer tends to increasing in recent years.Comprehensive treatment based on surgical treatment is currently a general strategy for the treatment of EGJ cancer.Because of the particularity of the anatomy and pathology of EGJ cancer,there were difficulties and controversies existing in the surgical treatment of EGJ cancer.Medical researchers have attached great importance to the treatment of EGJ cancer and made remarkable progress in it.Therefore,the authors summarize the progress of surgical treatment of EGJ cancer,and present it in four aspects of surgical approach lymph,node dissection,esophagogastric resection and digestive tract reconstruction.