Effect of double-tract reconstruction and laparoscopic proximal gastrectomy on immune function and stress.

Background: Although surgery remains the primary treatment for proximal gastric cancer (PGC), ongoing refinements in surgical strategies are essential to improving clinical outcomes.

Aim: To investigate the effect of double-tract reconstruction (DTR) on immune function and stress response in patients undergoing laparoscopic proximal gastrectomy (LPG).

Methods: In total, 78 patients with PGC admitted between August 2020 and August 2024 were enrolled. The research group consisted of 39 patients who underwent DTR + LPG, whereas the control group comprised 39 patients who underwent laparoscopic total gastrectomy with Roux-en-Y esophagojejunostomy. Perioperative indices (intraoperative blood loss, digestive tract anastomosis time, and time to first postoperative flatus), postoperative complications (intestinal obstruction, anastomotic ulcer, diarrhea, dumping syndrome, and gastroesophageal reflux), nutritional parameters (serum albumin, hemoglobin, and body mass index), immune function [immunoglobulin (Ig) G, IgA, and IgM), and stress response indicators (C-reactive protein, interleukin-6, and tumor necrosis factor-α) were collected and analyzed for both groups.

Results: The intraoperative blood loss was lower (P < 0.05), and the time to first postoperative flatus time was shorter (P < 0.001) in the research group than in the control group. The two groups had comparable digestive tract anastomosis time (P > 0.05). The overall complication rate was significantly lower in the research group than in the control group (P = 0.042). Compared with the control group, the research group exhibited notably higher albumin, hemoglobin, and body mass index levels at 2 and 3 months postoperatively, as well as considerably high immunoglobulin (Ig) G, IgA, and IgM levels on postoperative day 1 (P < 0.05). The postoperative levels of C-reactive protein, interleukin-6, and tumor necrosis factor-α were also lower in the research group than in the control group (P < 0.001).

Conclusion: The combination of DTR and LPG in the treatment of patients with PGC is more effective in enhancing immune function and suppressing stress responses, showing more advantages over laparoscopic total gastrectomy.