Conventional Gastrostomy (Kader Procedure):
Temporary or Permanent Gastric Fistula
Asad Kutup, Emre F. Yekebas
Introduction
Nowadays, gastrostomy has been replaced in most instances by less invasive procedures such as percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy or feeding tube jejunostomy. However, gastrostomy still does have a place in highly selected instances, e.g., previous gastric surgery, the presence of ascites, or, in some instances, Crohn’s disease of the small bowel.
Indications and Contraindications
Indications
■Locally non-resectable and/or metastasized stenosing tumor of the esophagus, gastroesophageal junction, and proximal stomach
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Tumor not passable for endoscope
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Contraindications for endoscopic treatment (“percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy”), i.e., ascites
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Patient unfit for major surgery
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Neurologic disorders (cerebral dysphagia)
Contraindications
■Resectable carcinoma
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Previous major gastric resection/gastrectomy (in this case feeding jejunostomy is the treatment of choice)
Preoperative Investigation/Preparation for the Procedure
History: Previous upper abdominal surgery, i.e., gastric resection;
contraindication for percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG)
Clinical Exclusion of further obstruction distal to the stomach such as
investigation: antral and pyloric strictures in cases of caustic burns.
Procedures
Temporary Tube Gastrostomy
(Synonyms: Witzel Procedure, Balloon Catheter Gastrostomy, Kader Procedure)
STEP 1
Exposure
Opening of the peritoneal cavity is done through the upper third of the left rectus muscle by a vertical or horizontal incision. Sharp transection of the skin, subcutis, and fasciae should be followed by blunt division of the muscle.
For exposure of the anterior wall of the gastric body, it has to be pulled by clamps or retention sutures anteriorly.
STEP 2
Preparation and incision of the gastric wall
Preparation of a purse-string suture with a diameter of about 3cm usually made at the anterior aspect of the gastric body.
An incision of the gastric wall is made in the center of the purse-string suture, and a tube is inserted with its tip directed to the cardia. After the purse-string suture has been tested for leakage, the suture is tied.
In cases of caustic burns, antral and pyloric irregularities should be excluded
by intragastric digital palpation of the poststomal stomach.
STEP 3
Positioning of the catheter
When inserting a feeding catheter with a diameter of about 1cm, the tip should be directed to the cardia.
After proper positioning of the catheter with a minimum distance between insertion site and tip of the tube of 5cm, the purse-string suture is tied.
Check for leaks at the site of the purse-string suture by filling the stomach with liquids.
STEP 4
Gastroplication
A gastroplication sutured with single stitches aborally to the insertion site of the tube is formed. If possible a reinforcing gastroplication of 8cm aborally to the insertion of the tube in the gastric wall is recommended.
The gastric serosa is fixed with the abdominal wall by drawing the stomach upward and bringing the orifice of the tube distal to the gastroplication to an extraperitoneal location.
The cuff of the tube is then fixed to the skin.
Balloon Catheter Gastrostomy
STEP 1
Exposure
Access to the peritoneal cavity, exposure, and preparation of the anterior aspect of the stomach as described above.
STEP 2
Positioning of the balloon catheter and fixation
After exposure of the anterior wall of the stomach by clamps, a purse-string suture is prepared. In the center of this suture line, the gastric wall is incised. If necessary, the incision is dilated gently and the tube is introduced into the gastric lumen (A).
In cases of caustic burns, antral and pyloric irregularities should be excluded by intragastric digital palpation of the poststomal stomach. After proper positioning of the catheter, the purse-string is tied. Sufficiency of the suture line is tested by a filling test.
Pulling the catheter to the abdominal wall should not result in ischemia of the peris- tomal stomach.
Optionally, about four seromuscular interrupted stitches may be appropriate for protection from secondary insufficiency of the purse-string suture, notably when greater amounts of ascites are present (B).
A
B
Permanent Stapled Continent Gastrostomy
STEP 1
Access
Access to the peritoneal cavity and exposure of the stomach as described above.
STEP 2
Creation of a tube
For creation of a permanent reverse gastrostomy, usually the greater curvature is used.
The left gastroepiploic vessels represent the vascular pedicle of the tube. After interrup- tion of the right gastroepiploic vessels at the site of the beginning of the tube, the gastro- colic and, if necessary, gastrosplenic ligaments are transected at a safe distance from the left vascular pedicle without compromising the integrity of the gastroepiploic arcade (A).
The basis of the tube is localized at the middle third of the greater curvature. The left gastroepiploic vessels are the vascular pedicle of the gastrostomy.
A sufficient length of the tube is achieved by two to three applications of a linear stapler, depending on the thickness of the abdominal wall. Inversion of the GIA suture lines is done by interrupted or running sutures(B).
A
B
STEP 3
Gastroplasty
A gastroplasty is performed at the site of continuity with the gastric body. This should encircle almost the total circumference of the basis of the tube without compromising its blood supply at the superior aspect of the tube.
Circumferential fixation of the rim of the gastroplication is done by anchor sutures
to the wall of the tube. Transabdominal pull-through of the tube is done at the left upper
abdomen. Opening of the tube and positioning of the mucosal orifice flush with the
skin are done to avoid aggressive gastric mucus secretions that may induce peristomal
dermatitis. Stomaplast around the stoma is applied to protect from peristomal problems.
Postoperative Investigations
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Liquid diet feeding 6–12h following surgery
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Feeding with normal mashed food as soon as evidence for postoperative abnormalities of gastroduodenal clearance has been excluded.
Postoperative Complications
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Postoperative obstruction due to stomal edema
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Insufficiency of the gastrostomy, suture line disruption
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Defective wound healing
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Peritonitis
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Intragastric and intraperitoneal bleeding
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Gastric wall or stomal necrosis
Tricks of the Senior Surgeon
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The continence of the gastrostomy can be enhanced by drawing the tube upward and bringing it to the surface near the costal margin.
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