Comparison of the Clinical Outcomes of Reconstruction Methods After Distal Gastrectomy: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Based on Randomized Controlled Trials

BACKGROUND: To analyze the short- and long-term clinical outcomes of 2 reconstruction methods after distal gastrectomy for gastric cancer. METHODS: Three keywords, “gastric neoplasm,” “distal gastrectomy,” and “reconstruction,” were used to search PubMed. We selected only randomized controlled trial that compared the anastomosis methods. A total of 11 papers and 8 studies were included in this meta-analysis. All statistical analyses were performed using the R software. RESULTS: Among short-term clinical outcomes, a shorter operation time, reduced morbidity, and shorter hospital stay were found for Billroth type I (B-I) than for Roux-en-Y (RNY) reconstruction in the meta-analysis (P<0.001, P=0.048, P<0.001, respectively). When comparing Billroth type II (B-II) to RNY, the operation time was shorter for B-II than for RNY (P<0.019), but there were no differences in morbidity or length of hospital stay (P=0.500, P=0.259, respectively). Regarding long-term clinical outcomes related to reflux, there were significantly fewer incidents of reflux esophagitis, reflux gastritis, and bile reflux (P=0.035, P<0.001, P=0.019, respectively) for RNY than for B-I in the meta-analysis, but there was no difference between the 2 methods in residual food (P=0.545). When comparing B-II to RNY, there were significantly fewer incidents of reflux gastritis (P<0.001) for RNY than for B-II, but the amount of residual food and patient weight gain showed no difference. CONCLUSION: B-I had the most favorable short-term outcomes, but RNY was more advantageous for long-term outcomes than for other methods. Surgeons should be aware of the advantages and disadvantages of each type of anastomosis and select the appropriate method.