Comparison of Postoperative Mid-Term and Long-Term Quality of Life Between Billroth-I Gastroduodenostomy and Billroth-II Gastrojejunostomy After Radical Distal Gastrectomy in Patients With Gastric Cancer: A Cohort Study Based on a Case Registry Database

This study compared the mid-term and long-term quality of life between Billroth-I (B-I) and Billroth-II (B-II) reconstruction methods after radical distal gastrectomy in 859 gastric cancer patients. The results showed no significant differences in overall quality of life (EORTC QLQ-C30) between the two groups across all follow-up years. However, specific differences were noted in pain and eating scores in the second year, and eating, body image, and hair loss scores in the third year (all P<0.05). Additionally, the B-II group had higher triglyceride levels and a higher proportion of hyperlipidemia in the first year, and lower albumin levels in the fifth year, though the latter was not statistically significant. Overall, both reconstruction methods had comparable impacts on postoperative quality of life, suggesting that the choice of method can be based on individual patient conditions and surgical convenience.