NCT07142122

Safety Comparison of Total Laparoscopic Proximal Gastrectomy With or Without Preservation of the Celiac Branch of the Vagus Nerve for Early Upper Gastric Cancer: A Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial

• Status: Recruiting
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 76 (estimated)
• Sponsor: Fujian Cancer Hospital · Other Government
• Sex: All
• Age: 18 Years – 75 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Not accepted

Summary

This prospective, single-center, randomized, controlled, non-inferiority clinical trial aims to compare the safety and postoperative quality of life of early upper gastric cancer patients undergoing total laparoscopic proximal gastrectomy (TLPG) with preservation of both the hepatic and celiac branches of the vagus nerve versus preservation of the hepatic branch only. The primary endpoint is gastric emptying half-time of solid food at 6 months after surgery. Secondary outcomes include incidence of reflux esophagitis, quality of life scores (EORTC QLQ-C30/STO22), number and positivity rate of lymph nodes retrieved, and 3-year disease-free survival. The study will provide evidence for optimizing minimally invasive surgical strategies for early upper gastric cancer.

Detailed description

Early gastric cancer involving the upper third of the stomach or esophagogastric junction is increasingly managed with minimally invasive surgery. The vagus nerve plays an essential role in regulating gastric motility and postoperative physiological recovery. Preservation of the hepatic branch is widely accepted, while the role of preserving the celiac branch remains controversial. This trial is designed to evaluate whether preservation of the celiac branch during TLPG improves gastric emptying and postoperative quality of life without compromising oncological safety. Eligible patients (cT1bN0M0, tumor size ≤4 cm, no prior chemotherapy/radiotherapy) will be randomized into two groups: Group A (hepatic and celiac branches preserved) and Group B (hepatic branch preserved only). Both groups undergo double-tract reconstruction. The study will enroll 76 patients (38 per group) with sufficient statistical power. Outcomes will be analyzed using standard statistical methods, and the findings are expected to provide evidence for refined vagus-nerve-preserving surgery in early gastric cancer.

Conditions

• Gastric Cancer

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
PROCEDURE	Total laparoscopic proximal gastrectomy with preservation of both the hepatic and celiac branches of the vagus nerve, followed by double-tract reconstruction.	Total laparoscopic proximal gastrectomy with meticulous preservation of the hepatic branch of the vagus nerve (via fenestration of the lesser omentum) and the celiac branch (via skeletonization of the left gastric artery). The esophagus was transected ≥3 cm proximal to the tumor, preserving \>50% of the residual stomach. Double-tract reconstruction was then performed: an end-to-side esophagojejunostomy was created first, followed by a side-to-side gastrojejunostomy between the residual stomach and jejunum, and finally a side-to-side jejunojejunostomy approximately 40 cm distal to the gastrojejunal anastomosis. This approach achieves oncological resection while maximizing preservation of digestive physiology (gallbladder contraction, reduced dumping syndrome, and partial gastric reservoir function).
PROCEDURE	Total laparoscopic proximal gastrectomy with preservation of the hepatic branch of the vagus nerve but deliberate resection of the celiac branch, followed by double-tract reconstruction.	Total laparoscopic proximal gastrectomy with meticulous preservation of the hepatic branch of the vagus nerve (via lesser omentum fenestration adjacent to the liver edge), while deliberately not preserving the celiac branch (by direct transection at the root of the left gastric artery). The esophagus was transected ≥3 cm proximal to the tumor with preservation of \>50% gastric remnant. Double-tract reconstruction was then executed: end-to-side esophagojejunostomy (circular stapler) → side-to-side gastrojejunostomy (linear cutter) → side-to-side jejunojejunostomy approximately 40 cm distal to the gastrojejunal anastomosis. This technique achieves oncological resection while utilizing the residual stomach and dual-pathway design to minimize postoperative dumping syndrome and preserve partial gastric function.

Timeline

• Start date: 2025-01-01
• Primary completion: 2029-01-01
• Completion: 2029-01-01
• First posted: 2025-08-26
• Last updated: 2025-08-26

Locations

1 site across 1 country: China