Clinical study of laparoscopy-assisted radical total gastrectomy for cancer of the cardia and fundus / 中华消化外科杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To explore the efficacy and feasibility of laparoscopy-assisted radical total gastrectomy in the treatment of cancer of the cardia and fundus. Methods The clinical data of 176 patients with cancer of the cardia and fundus who received total gastrectomy at the Union Hospital of Fujian Medical University from April 2007 to April 2009 were retrospectively analysed. Among the patients, 81 received laparoscopic total gastrectomy ( LATG group) and 95 received open total gastrectomy ( OTG group). The patients' intra- and postoperative conditions, clearance of lymph nodes, morbidity and mortality were analysed using the chi-square test and t test. Results All the operations were successfully carried out. The intraoperative blood loss was (98 ± 84) ml in the LATG group and (339±245) ml in the OTG group. Three patients in the LATG group and 19 in the OTG group received blood transfusion. The time to first flatus and postoperative hospital stay were (3.9 ± 1.1) days and (13 ± 5) days in the LATG group, and (5.0 ± 1.6) days and (15 ± 5) days in the OTG group, respectively.There were significant differences in the time to first flatus and postoperative hospital stay between the LATG group and OTG group (t = 4.16, x2 = 6.82, t = 4. 57, 2. 83, P ＜ 0. 05). The mean number of lymph nodes dissected was 28 ± 12 in the LATG group and 29 ± 11 in the OTG group, with no significant differences between the two groups (t = 0. 42, P ＞0.05). The number of lymph nodes dissected in patients with T1, T2 and T3 stages were 21 ±8, 25 ±7 and 29 ± 11 in the LATG group, and 29 ± 12, 31 ±9 and 28 ± 11 in the OTG group, respectively,with no significant differences between the two groups (t = 1.53, 1.90, 0. 65, P ＞ 0.05). The morbidity and mortality rates of the LATG group were 11%( 9/81 ) and 0, and 19% ( 18/95 ) and 1% ( 1/95 ) in the OTG group, with no significant differences between the two groups (x2 = 2.07, 1.18, P ＞ 0.05). Conclusion The efficacy of laparoscopy-assisted radical total gastrectomy is similar to that of open gastrectomy. Laparoscopy-assisted radical total gastrectomy is a safe and feasible procedure that leads to quick postoperative recovery.