The transhiatal tunnel valvuloplasty technique following laparoscopic proximal gastrectomy: the single-center experience in a retrospective cohort.

Background: The debate over the optimal reconstruction technique following proximal gastrectomy continues. Transhiatal tunnel valvuloplasty (ThTV) is a novel esophagogastrostomy method. This study aimed to evaluate the feasibility and safety of ThTV.

Methods: A cohort with upper early gastric cancer or Siewert type II tumors who underwent laparoscopic proximal gastrectomy was retrospectively reviewed in a single center. The ThTV esophagogastrostomy procedure involved placing a lengthy gastric tube into the lower mediastinum and firmly binding it to the esophagus. Demographic and surgical morbidity data were extracted from the medical records.

Results: Between March 2023 and November 2023, 15 patients underwent laparoscopic proximal gastrectomy using ThTV. The cohort consisted of 13 males and 2 females, with a median age of 68 years (range 49-77). The median operative time was 213 minutes (range 171-370). The median times for tunnel construction and anastomosis were 7 minutes (range 4-30) and 17 minutes (range 10-29), respectively. The median tumor size was 2.0 cm (range 1.0-5.0), and the median number of lymph nodes dissected was 29 (range 13-49). TNM staging revealed 9 cases of stage I, 5 cases of stage II, and 1 case of stage III. As of January 1, 2025, the median follow-up duration was 16.8 months (range 13.8-22.2). No tumor recurrence was observed. No patients reported severe reflux symptoms (Visick score ≥III). Gastroscopy confirmed reflux esophagitis (Los Angeles classification Grade A) in one patient, and an anastomotic stricture requiring endoscopic balloon dilation was observed in another patient.

Conclusions: Transhiatal tunnel valvuloplasty is a simple and reliable anti-reflux method following laparoscopic proximal gastric surgery. The further verification of the esophageal function is warranted.