Laparoscopy Assisted Distal Subtotal Gastrectomy with Lymphadenectomy - 202 Consecutive Cases

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: The number of laparoscopy-assisted distal gastrectomy procedures for the treatment of early gastric cancer patient to improve the quality of life has been gradually increasing. This study evaluated the technical feasibility, safety, and surgical results of LADG with lymphadenectomy by reviewing the initial experience. METHODS: From May 2003 to December 2005, 202 LADG with lymphadenectomy were performed on patients with a preoperative diagnosis of EGC. The clinicopathological features and surgical outcomes were analyzed. RESULTS: There were 128 males and 74 females with a mean age of 58 years (range 24~78). The mean operation time was 212 minutes (range 105~450) and the operation time has decreased gradually with increasing number of cases. There were 16 operative morbidities (7.9%) including three operative mortalities. The restoration of the bowel sound was noted at 3.1 postoperative days, soft diet was started at 4.4 postoperative days and the duration of the hospital stay was 7.7 days. There were 105 mucosal, 64 submucosal, 22 proper muscle, 4 subserosal and 7 serosal lesions. A total 163 patients were treated with D2, 37 with D1+beta and 2 with D1+alpha LN dissection. The mean number of lymph nodes retrieved was 35 (range=10~81). Lymph node metastasis was noted in 30 patients. CONCLUSION: This study shows that laparoscopic procedure can be applied safely and effectively for the patients with EGC. However, a prospective study comparing laparoscopy-assisted versus open gastrectomy for the short- and long-term surgical outcomes is needed.