Laparoscopic completion total gastrectomy for remnant gastric cancer: a single-institution experience

Background The aim of the present study was to evaluate the feasibility of laparoscopic completion total gastrectomy (LCTG) in patients with remnant gastric cancer. Methods Patients who underwent completion total gastrectomy for remnant gastric cancer between May 2003 and December 2012 were divided into two groups: an open completion total gastrectomy (OCTG) group and an LCTG group. Clinicopathological data, operative data, and patient survival rates were analyzed. Results Thirty-four remnant gastrectomies (17 OCTG and 17 LCTG) were performed. The mean time interval between the prior gastrectomy and the remnant gastrectomy was 17.2 years, and benign disease showed a longer time interval than malignancy (30.9 vs. 8.1 years; p