False Gastric Diverticulum Arising from the Pylorus Associated with Gastric Outlet Obstruction

A gastric diverticulum is an outpouching from the stomach wall. It is usually seen in the posterior gastric wall and the gastric antrum. Diverticula arising from the pyloric region are extremely rare. A 59-year-old female presented with progressively worsening symptoms of gastric outlet obstruction associated with dyspepsia and vague abdominal pain for 5 years. A large, thin-walled, wide-mouthed, false gastric diverticulum (filled with undigested food) arising from the pylorus associated with gastric outlet stenosis was found by endoscopy and CT imaging. Multiple biopsies from the region excluded a gastric malignancy. A gastrojejunostomy and jejunojejunostomy were performed to bypass the obstruction which successfully relieved the symptoms. This is an unusual site for gastric diverticula, and when associated with gastric outlet obstruction, further distention of the diverticulum may cause more obstruction with worsening symptoms.

Diffuse Gastric Ganglioneuromatosis: Novel Presentation of PTEN Hamartoma Syndrome—Case Report and Review of Gastric Ganglioneuromatous Proliferations and a Novel PTEN Gene Mutation

Gastrointestinal ganglioneuromatous proliferations are rare, most often found in the colon, and are three types: polypoid ganglioneuromas, ganglioneuromatous polyposis, and diffuse ganglioneuromatosis. We present a case of diffuse ganglioneuromatosis in the posterior gastric wall in a nine-year-old female. To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of diffuse ganglioneuromatosis located in the stomach. Only six cases of gastric ganglioneuromatous proliferations have previously been reported, two in English and none were diffuse ganglioneuromatosis. A diagnosis of diffuse ganglioneuromatosis is relevant for patient care because, unlike sporadic polypoid ganglioneuromas or ganglioneuromatous polyposis, most are syndromic. Diffuse ganglioneuromatosis is commonly associated with neurofibromatosis type 1, multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2b, and Cowden Syndrome, one of the phenotypes of PTEN hamartoma tumor syndrome. The patient had the noted gastric diffuse ganglioneuromatosis, as well as other major and minor criteria for Cowden syndrome. Genetic testing revealed a novel frameshift mutation in the PTEN gene in the patient, her father, paternal aunt, and the aunt’s son who is a paternal first cousin of the patient.

Evaluation of a New Modification of Pancreaticogastrostomy after Pancreaticoduodenectomy: Anastomosis of the Pancreatic Duct to the Gastric Mucosa with Invagination of the Pancreatic Remnant End into the Posterior Gastric Wall for Patients with Cancer Head of Pancreas and Periampullary Carcinoma in terms of Postoperative Pancreatic Fistula Formation

Background/Objectives. Postoperative pancreatic fistula (POPF) remains the main problem after pancreaticoduodenectomy and determines to a large extent the final outcome. We describe a new modification of pancreaticogastrostomy which combines duct to mucosa anastomosis with suturing the pancreatic capsule to posterior gastric wall and then invaginating the pancreatic remnant into the posterior gastric wall. This study was designed to assess the results of this new modification of pancreaticogastrostomy.Methods. The newly modified pancreaticogastrostomy was applied to 37 consecutive patients after pancreaticoduodenectomy for periampullary cancer (64.86%) or cancer head of the pancreas (35.14%). Eighteen patients (48.65%) had a soft pancreatic remnant, 13 patients (35.14%) had firm pancreatic remnant, and 6 patients (16.22%) had intermediate texture of pancreatic remnant. Rate of mortality, early postoperative complications, and hospital stay were also reported.Results. Operative mortality was zero and morbidity was 29.73%. Only three patients (8.11%) developed pancreatic leaks; they were treated conservatively. Eight patients (16.1%) had delayed gastric emptying, one patient (2.70%) had minor hemorrhage, one patient (2.70%) had biliary leak, and four patients (10.81%) had superficial wound infection.Conclusions. The new modified pancreatogastrostomy seems safe and reliable with low rate of POPF. However, further prospective controlled trials are essential to support these results.

A Simple and Safe Anastomosis for Pancreatogastrostomy Using One Binding Purse-String and Two Transfixing Mattress Sutures

Pancreatic anastomotic leakage remains a persistent problem after pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD), especially in the presence of a soft, nonfibrotic pancreas. A modified technique for pancreatogastrostomy was devised, which combines one binding purse-string and two transfixing mattress sutures between the pancreatic stump and the posterior gastric wall. This technique was applied in 35 patients after PD for malignant and benign diseases of whom 10 (28.6%) had a soft pancreas. Median time for the anastomosis was 18 minutes. Operative mortality was zero, and morbidity was 34.3%. Three (8.6%) patients developed a pancreatic fistula (2 type A, 1 type B) as classified according to the International Study Group on pancreatic fistula. All fistulas resolved without further intervention. The described technique is a simple and safe reconstruction procedure after PD that warrants further evaluation.