Modified Devine Exclusion for Unresectable Distal Gastric Cancer in Symptomatic Patients

BACKGROUND In patients with outlet obstruction syndrome and/or severe anemia secondary to unresectable gastric cancer (GC), partial stomach-partitioning gastrojejunostomy, or modified Devine exclusion, is a surgical alternative. METHODS A retrospective study was conducted on patients with unresectable distal GC treated with modified Devine exclusion as palliative surgery between February 2005 and December 2015. It consisted of a series of 10 patients with outlet obstruction syndrome and/or severe anemia. The outcomes of this technique were based on oral tolerance, blood transfusions, postoperative complications, and survival. RESULTS Early oral tolerance and a low rate of blood transfusions were observed postoperatively. There was no postoperative mortality and a very low complication rate without anastomotic leakage. Median survival was 9 months. CONCLUSIONS Partial stomach-partitioning gastrojejunostomy is a safe procedure for unresectable GC which can improve the quality of life of these patients.