BACKGROUND:: METHODS:: RESULTS:: There were 38 patients in the retrocolic and 35 in the antecolic group. Baseline characteristics and clinical outcomes were similar in the two groups. Median time to half-emptying of stomach content after surgery was 145 and 64 min in the retrocolic and antecolic group respectively (P = 0·189). Median percentages of residual activity after 2 h were 64 and 28 per cent respectively (P = 0·213). Quality of life did not differ at any time point between the groups. At 2 weeks after surgery, patients with DGE had significantly worse outcomes on two EQ-5D™ domains, ten QLQ-C30/PAN26 subscales, and two GIQLI subscales and total score. Effect sizes were moderate to large. CONCLUSION