ASSESSMENT OF THE QUALITY OF LIFE IN PATIENTS WITH TOTAL GASTRECTOMY

From January, 1975, through December, 1988, 204 patients underwent total gastrectomy for gastric cancer. Assessment of the quality of life in these cases was investigated retrospectively with respect to mode of reconstruction following total gastrectomy. There were 11 patients with Roux-en-Y anastomoses and 30 with jejunal interposition procedure in a short-term follow up group surviving from one to less than five years. And there were 7 patients of the former and 19 of the latter in a long-term follow-up group surviving more than five years. Patients with jejunal interposition in the long-term follow-up group often have a normal hemoglobin and red blood cell count compared with Roux-en-Y anastomosis. Total protein was within a normal range after each of the reconstruction. The patients of the jejunal interposition showed rather good recover in weight to the preoperative level. There was a lower incidence of reflux esophagitis in cases after jejunal interposition. Postoperatively, they also were able to lead their normal lives again. The jejunal interposition proved clinically superior to Roux-en-Y anastomosis.