# Total Gastrectomy for Gastric Malignancy: Trends Over 15 Years in Major Morbidity, Mortality, and Patient Selection From The National Surgical Quality Improvement Program

## TL;DR

This study analyzed 15 years of data and found no significant changes in major complications or death rates after total stomach removal for cancer, despite more patients having diabetes, obesity, and poor health.

## Contribution

The study provides evidence that outcomes after total gastrectomy have not improved over 15 years, despite changes in patient health profiles.

## Key findings

- Major morbidity after total gastrectomy remained stable at 23% over 15 years.
- Mortality rate was consistently low at 2.7% with no significant change over time.
- There was an increase in patients with diabetes, obesity, and poor cardiopulmonary function over the study period.

## Abstract

We examined trends in major morbidity and mortality following total gastrectomy for malignancy in a national cohort.

The National Surgical Quality Improvement Program was used to identify patients who underwent total gastrectomy for malignancy from 2007 to 2021. Joinpoint regression was used to determine annual percent changes (APCs) in thirty‐day postoperative major morbidity, mortality, and length of stay (LOS). Major morbidity included deep and organ space surgical site infection, venous thromboembolism, cardiac event, pneumonia, acute renal failure, sepsis, and respiratory failure.

Of 3515 patients, the median age was 65 years (IQR = 55–73), 59% were male, and 57.9% were White. Major morbidity was 23%, which did not change over time (APC = −1.4, 95% CI = −3.4 to 0.58), nor were there changes in individual morbidities with time. The most common morbidities were organ space surgical site infection (9.2%) and pneumonia (8.5%). Mortality rate in the study cohort was 2.7% and did not change (APC = −6.2, 95% CI = −13.0 to 1.1). LOS (median 9 days) also did not vary with time (APC = −2.3, 95% CI = −7.8 to 3.9). There was an increase in patients with diabetes (21.6% vs. 11.2%, p < 0.05), BMI ≥ 30 (31.1% vs. 18.2%, p < 0.05), and ASA IV–V status (11.6% vs. 3.5%, p < 0.05).

Morbidity and mortality following total gastrectomy for malignancy have not significantly changed over the last fifteen years. While this may in part be explained by increased patient comorbidity, efforts should be made to improve patient selection and mitigate postoperative complications to allow for timely adjuvant therapies.

Morbidity and mortality following total gastrectomy for malignancy have not significantly changed over the last fifteen years. This may in part be explained by a change in patient selection, with an observed increase in patients with diabetes, obesity, and poor cardiopulmonary function. These data can inform preoperative counseling for patients and identify strategies to mitigate postoperative complications to allow for timely initiation of adjuvant therapies.