Comparison of Single-Incision and Conventional Multi-Port Laparoscopic Distal Gastrectomy with D2 Lymph Node Dissection for Gastric Cancer: A Propensity Score-Matched Analysis

Background Single-incision laparoscopic surgery maximizes the advantages of laparoscopic surgery by reducing abdominal trauma; however, few comparative studies have addressed its role in gastric cancer. Purpose This study sought to demonstrate the safety and feasibility of single-incision laparoscopic distal gastrectomy (SLDG) with radical D2 lymphadenectomy by comparing its short- and long-term outcomes with those of conventional multi-port laparoscopic surgery (MLDG). Methods From October 2007 to December 2011, we identified 175 patients with clinical stage I–III gastric cancer who underwent SLDG with D2 lymphadenectomy ( n = 90) and MLDG ( n = 85) according to a review of our prospective gastric cancer database in our institute. One-to-one propensity score matching was performed to compare short-term outcomes and long-term survival between the two groups. Results Mean operative time was similar between the two groups, while blood loss was significantly lower in the SLDG group than in the MLDG group. Postoperative recovery was faster in the SLDG group in terms of earlier initiation of oral intake, less use of analgesics, and shorter hospital stay. Serum C-reactive protein levels were significantly lower in the SLDG group than in the MLDG group on postoperative days 1, 3, and 7, and the 5-year overall survival rate was not significantly different between the two groups (93.7 vs. 87.6 %; p = 0.689). Conclusions This study shows that SLDG with D2 lymphadenectomy is safe and feasible for gastric cancer, with better short-term outcomes than MLDG and acceptable oncologic outcomes. Thus, SLDG may be an attractive surgical alternative in minimally invasive surgery.