Objective: To summarize the nutritional supporting experiences in duodenal stump leakage after gastrectomy for gastric carcinoma and to increase the therapeutic level of duodenal stump leakage.
Methods: Data of 18 cases of duodenal stump leakage after gastrectomy for gastric carcinoma in our hospital from January 1997 to December 2006 were analyzed retrospectively.
Results: All the cases were treated with abdominal cavity drainage, continuous gastrointestinal decompression and parenteral nutrition combined with enteral nutrition. Sixteen cases received glutamine enrichment, 12 cases somatostatin infusion, 8 cases recombinant human growth hormone. Five patients healed within 21-30 d, 12 patients within 30-72 d. One case died of abdominal cavity hemorrhage and upper gastrointestinal hemorrhage 62 days postoperatively.
Conclusion: Abdominal cavity drainage, continuous gastrointestinal decompression, parenteral nutrition combined with enteral nutrition, intensive support with glutamine, somatostatin and recombinant human growth hormone are the important factors for the healing of duodenal stump leakage.