Midterm body composition changes after open distal gastrectomy for early gastric cancer

PURPOSE: This study evaluated midterm changes in body composition after open distal gastrectomy for early gastric cancer. METHODS: Data from 138 gastric cancer patients who underwent open distal gastrectomy at Kyungpook National University Chilgok Hospital between January 2011 and December 2012 were collected and reviewed. Patients with pathological stage I gastric cancer and with no comorbidities at diagnosis were enrolled. Body composition data from segmental multifrequency bioelectrical impedance analysis were obtained preoperatively and at 1, 2, and 3 years after surgery. RESULTS: The mean body weight losses at 1 and 3 years after surgery were 6.1 kg and 5.8 kg, respectively (P < 0.001). The protein mass, skeletal muscle mass, and fat-free mass decreased continuously until 3 years after surgery (0.5 kg, 1.6 kg, and 2.4 kg, respectively; P < 0.001). The average body fat mass and visceral fat area loss at 1 year after surgery were 4.7 kg and 20.5 cm(2), respectively (P < 0.001). After 1 postoperative year, the body fat mass and visceral fat areas increased continuously, up to 12.2 kg and 74.2 cm(2) at 3 years after surgery, respectively (+1.4 kg and +1.2 cm(2), respectively). CONCLUSION: More intense nutritional and exercise programs may be important after gastric cancer surgery, especially during the first postoperative year.