No-cut Roux-en-Y as Intestinal Continuity in Total Gastrectomy for Cancer

Abstract

Introduction: The conventional Roux-en-Y technique introduced in Cuba in 2015 is used to restore intestinal continuity for cancer of the esophagogastric junction or stomach, and one of its complications is Roux stasis.

Objective: To determine the performance of the Roux-en-Y without cutting technique in four hospitals in Havana.

Methods: A retrospective, descriptive, and analytical longitudinal study was conducted with 31 patients who underwent surgery for adenocarcinoma of the esophagogastric junction, using total gastrectomy and Roux-en-Y reconstruction without cutting, in four hospitals in Havana between 2015 and 2024. The variables studied were gender, age group, patient classification according to the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA), tumor topography, and complications.

Results: Patients between the sixth and seventh decades of life predominated. 61.3% were classified as ASA I and 32.2% as ASA II. There were 22.5% complications, of which 6.4% were related to the surgical wound. Surgical mortality was 3.2%. One patient presented with Roux-en-Y syndrome. At three years, 64% of patients remained tumor-free and 70.9% were alive; after three years, 32.3% were tumor-free and 48.4% were alive.

Conclusions: Total gastrectomy with Roux-en-Y without cuts is a safe procedure with more functional results in the treatment of cancer of the esophagogastric junction.