Laparoscopy-Assisted Distal Gastrectomy for Gastric Cancer

Objective The purpose of this study was to evaluate the safety and value of laparoscopy-assisted distal gastrectomy (LADG) for early stage gastric cancer (stages IA, IB, and II). Materials and Methods We retrospectively assessed 101 cases treated by LADG and compared to 49 contemporaneous cases treated by open distal gastrectomy (DG) between 2001 and 2006. Clinical variables, such as tumor diameter, operation time, blood loss, number of lymph nodes dissected, and length of stay were investigated. Results Tumor size (mm) was significantly smaller in the LADG group ( p < 0.0001). Although operation time (min) in the two groups was similar (278 ± 57 vs. 268 ± 55), mean blood loss was significantly higher in the DG group (139 ± 181 vs. 460 ± 301, p < 0.0001). Fewer lymph nodes were harvested in the LADG group (27 ± 14 vs. 34 ± 19, p = 0.012). Hospital stay was longer in the DG group (13.3 ± 8.5 vs. 16.7 ± 10.5, p = 0.034). There was no mortality in either group. Postoperative surgical complications occurred in six (6%) of the LADG and four (8%) of the DG. Conclusions The authors conclude that laparoscopy-assisted distal gastrectomy is a safe and useful operation for early-stage gastric cancers. If patients are selected properly, laparoscopy-assisted distal gastrectomy can be a curative and minimally invasive treatment for gastric cancer.