FREQUENT OCCURRENCE OF ANASTOMOTIC STENOSIS FOLLOWING COLON INTERPOSITION RECONSTRUCTION AFTER TOTAL GASTRECTOMY

From 1992 to May 1995 a total of 13 cases underwent a colon interposition reconstruction after a total gastrectomy in the hospital and stenosis of the anastomosed site occurred in 10 out of 13 cases (79%). The frequency of anastomotic stenosis was significantly higher than that (19%; 13 out of 69 cases) with Roux-Y reconstruction and double tract reconstruction in the same period. In addition it was also significantly higher than the incidence with jejunum interposition performed between 1987 and 1992 that was 27% (3 out of 11 cases). The length of the mobilized colon, in the cases of stenosis at the esophagocolonostomy, was 21.4±3.5cm which was significantly longer than that of non-stenosis cases (14.8±1.5cm). Now, we usually make the colon length about 15cm and thereby the incidence of stenosis has decreased. Dilation using balloon dilator (Regiflex balloon dilator) for 5 minutes at the pressure of 20 PSI was performed for all of the stenosis cases with successful result within twice. After dilatation, no recurrent stenosis has been found so that we estimate the balloon dilation as an appropriate management.