The investigation of diet recovery after distal gastrectomy

This study aims to investigate the adaptation process of the alimentary tract after distal gastrectomy and understand the impact of remnant stomach volume (RSV) on diet recovery. One year after gastrectomy, although patients’ oral intake had increased, the RSV was decreased and small bowel motility was enhanced. Patients with a larger RSV showed no additional benefits regarding nutritional outcomes. We prospectively enrolled patients who underwent distal gastrectomy with Billroth II reconstruction to treat gastric cancer at a tertiary hospital cancer center between September 2009 and February 2012. Demographic data, diet questionnaires, computed tomography (CT), and contrast fluoroscopy findings were collected. Patients were divided into 2 groups according to the RSV calculated using CT gastric volume measurements (large vs small). Dietary habits and nutritional status were compared between the groups. Seventy-eight patients were enrolled. Diet volume recovered to 90% of baseline by the 36(th) postoperative month, and RSV was 70% of baseline at 6 months after surgery and gradually decreased over time. One year after surgery, small bowel transit time was 75% compared to the 1st postoperative month (P < .05); however, transit time in the esophagus and remnant stomach showed no change in any studied interval. Compared to patients with a small RSV, those with a large RSV showed no differences in diet volume, habits, or other nutritional benefits (P > .05). Diet recovery for distal gastrectomy patients was achieved by increased small bowel motility. The size of the remnant stomach showed no positive impact on nutritional outcomes.