Vagus-Preserving Proximal Gastrectomy with Double- Flap Technique for Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumor involving the Esophagogastric Junction:A Case Report
Abstract Background: Gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) involving the esophagogastric junction (EGJ) is a relatively rare but thorny problem. It represents a dilemma between complete resection and impairment of quality of life (QOL) for loss of cardiac sphincter or even the whole stomach. Thus, emergence of function preserving gastrectomy is necessary and may provide partial solution to this hot potato. Here, we would like to introduce a method which successfully settle this matter through a clinical case. Case presentation: A 46-year-old male complaining of a progressive dysphagia. A huge GIST with 120mm in diameter was diagnosed by enhanced CT scan and pathological exam. Imatinib mesylate (IM) was initially prescribed, the tumor was shrank to a large extent while drug resistance emerged 6 months after therapy, leaving a mass approximately 90mm in diameter. We applied a method of vagus preserving proximal gastrectomy (VP-PG) and esophagogastrostomy with double-flap technique (DFT) for the patient. The operation was smooth and postoperative courses within a 12-months follow-up were uneventful. The patient had no digestive symptoms but slight leucopenia due to IM toxicity during this medication period. Conclusion: We consider that the application of VP-PG and DFT subsequent to neoadjuvant therapy with IM is likely to be an effective and feasible option for GISTs with EGJ involvement.