Self-expandable metal stents in patients with postoperative delayed gastric emptying after distal gastrectomy

Figure 1 Delayed gastric emptying fourteen days after subtotal gastrectomy. A: Food is retained in the remnant stomach because of passage delay at the anastomotic site; B: An endoscope is passed through the anastomotic site; C: On gastroscopy, a patent lumen with edematous mucosa is observed on the efferent loop side; D: Despite the patency of the E-loop, delayed gastrojejunal passage is seen on upper gastrointestinal series.

Figure 2 Placement of self-expandable metal stent. A: A catheter is placed through the lumen; B: A self-expandable metal stent (10-mm in length) is released following adjustment for the suitable position.

Figure 3 Inserted self-expandable metal stent. A: A stent is deployed at the anastomotic site with endoscopic clips; B: The stent is identified on an abdominal radiograph (arrow).

Figure 4 Patent anastomotic site on follow-up gastroscopy. A: Anastomotic lumen is patent; B: The stent is not identified on a follow-up abdominal radiograph.

Figure 5 Kaplan–Meier estimates of the stent maintenance period. The Kaplan–Meier curve is shown. At 30 d, the estimated stent maintenance rate is 58.8%. Inserted stents were passed per rectum spontaneously in 14 of 20 patients (70%) with no significant complications.