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Current status of internal hernia after gastrectomy for gastric cancer

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Abstract

Background

Internal hernia is a well-known postoperative complication after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass. However, it has not been considered a recognized complication for gastric cancer.

Methods

We reviewed the literature in the past decade to clarify the current status of internal hernia after gastrectomy including its incidence, high-risk factors, and treatment.

Results

The incidence of internal hernia after gastrectomy was found to be between 0.2 and 5.63%, and the median interval time was less than 2 years. High-risk factors include laparoscopic approach, non-closure of all the mesenteric defects, and Roux-en-Y reconstruction. The rate of bowel resection was significantly higher than that of adhesive small bowel obstruction.

Conclusion

The true incidence of internal hernia after gastrectomy is generally underestimated. Closure of all the mesenteric defects is one of the most effective methods to prevent postoperative internal hernia. Early surgical exploration is necessary when internal hernia is suspected.

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Acknowledgements

We would like to thank colleagues at the Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery in our hospital.

Funding

This study was funded by the gastrointestinal oncology international team cooperation project [NO. SZYJTD201804].

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Affiliated Kunshan Hospital to Jiangsu University, Suzhou, 215300, Jiangsu, China

    Ke-kang Sun

  2. Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, 1055 Sanxiang Road, Suzhou, 215008, NOJiangsu, China

    Ke-kang Sun & Yong-you Wu

Authors
  1. Ke-kang Sun
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  2. Yong-you Wu
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Contributions

Sun Ke-kang performed the research and wrote the paper; Wu Yong-you designed the research and supervised the report. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Yong-you Wu.

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Ethics approval

This study was performed in line with the principles of the Declaration of Helsinki. Approval was granted by the Ethics Committee of The Second Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University.

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The authors declare no competing interests.

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Sun, Kk., Wu, Yy. Current status of internal hernia after gastrectomy for gastric cancer. Langenbecks Arch Surg 407, 99–104 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00423-021-02371-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00423-021-02371-x

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