[Clinico-statistical evaluation study of the quality of life after gastrectomies for cancer]

The study compares the quality of post-operatory life after total gastrectomy with that after subtotal gastrectomy for gastric carcinoma. The routine use of "de principe" total gastrectomy remains controversial. Most surgeons believe that the routine use of it increases both postoperative morbidity and mortality and also the nutritional deficiencies, without improving the 5-year survival rate. It is also associated with a poorer outcome in terms of postoperative quality of life, the evidence of which is still under study. At the Surgical Clinics I and II in Targu Mures 414 patients have undergone, during January 1997 January 2004 subtotal gastrectomies (241) respectively total gastrectomies (173) for gastric carcinoma, of which 133 were resections performed with a curative intent, using radical D2-lymphadenectomy. Quality of post-operatory life at the moment of study was evaluated using our own questionnaire, developed upon studying and in accordance to those internationally in use by the de EORTC (European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer) and ECOG (Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group). The results of the study show that the quality of life of patients who underwent subtotal gastrectomies is significantly better than of those with total gastrectomies (without pouch). The imposing conclusion is that subtotal gastrectomy is recommended as the treatment of choice (when oncologically feasible) for tumors of the stomach, dismissing the "de principe" total gastrectomy.