Background: The development of the
laparoscopic surgery has allowed its incorporation to the surgical
treatment of
gastric cancer .
Aim: To evaluate the feasibility and
safety of laparoscopic
gastrectomy in
gastric cancer in our institution.
Patients and
methods: Prospective data in four
patients who underwent laparoscopic
gastrectomy for
gastric cancer from May to August of 2005 was reviewed.
Demographic data , clinical characteristics and postoperative results were registered.
Patients were staged according to TNM-AJJC staging system.
Results: Four
patients aged 48 to 80 years (three
males ), underwent a completely laparoscopic R0
gastrectomy with
lymph node dissection . Two
patients underwent total
gastrectomy . A subtotal
Billroth II gastrectomy was performed in the other two
patients . The mean
operative time was 260 minutes (Range 180-330). There were no conversions to open
surgery . The mean postoperative
hospital stay was 6.5 days (Range 6-7 days). There were no
complications . According to
pathology , one
patient presented
carcinoma in stage IA, two
patients in stage IB and one
patient in stage IIIB. The mean number of
lymph nodes dissected was 40 (Range 35-54).
Conclusions: Laparoscopic
gastrectomy is a feasible
procedure with good postoperative results in this preliminary experience.