New Sentinel Node Mapping Technologies for Early Gastric Cancer

The sentinel node (SN) concept has revolutionized the surgical staging of both melanoma and breast cancer over the past two decades. The application of this concept can yield benefits for patients by preventing various complications related to unnecessary prophylactic regional lymph node dissection in patients with cancer-negative SNs. Clinical application of SN mapping in patients with early gastric cancer has been a controversial issue for years. However, a recent meta-analysis and a prospective multicenter trial of SN mapping for early gastric cancer have shown acceptable SN detection rates and accuracy of determination of lymph node status. For early stage gastric cancer such as cT1N0M0, for which a better prognosis can be achieved through conventional surgical approaches, the establishment of individualized, minimally invasive treatments that may retain the patients’ quality of life should be the next surgical challenge. Although there are many unresolved technical issues, laparoscopic SN biopsy with laparoscopic minimized gastrectomy or endoscopic mucosal resection/endoscopic submucosal dissection has the potential to achieve this goal.     

Sentinel Node Mapping and Skip Metastases in Patients with Early Gastric Cancer

Objectives  This study was designed to identify the characteristics of patients with early gastric cancers that have skip metastases. Background   The possibility of lymph node metastasis is the most important factor to consider when deciding on the resection procedure for patients with early gastric cancer. Methods  From February 2003 through July 2008, 739 patients with early gastric adenocarcinoma underwent gastric resection at the National Cancer Center, Korea, and were included in this study. Patients with skip metastases were analyzed and compared with those without skip metastases. Results  Skip metastases were found in 2.8% of patients with early gastric cancer. Tumor size and the presence of lymphatic invasion were associated with skip metastases by both univariate and multivariate analysis. All skip metastases were metastases to the extraperigastric lymph nodes that skipped across the perigastric lymph nodes. Sixteen patients (66.7%) with these metastases had metastatic lymph nodes at No. 7, 8, and 9 stations. Conclusions  Tumor size should be considered during sentinel lymph node mapping to prevent false-negative results in patients with early gastric cancer. If sentinel nodes are not found in the perigastric lymph nodes, No. 7, 8, and 9 stations should be explored for prevention of false-negative sentinel node mapping results.     

Laparoscopy-assisted Gastrectomy for Early Gastric Cancer in Young and Elderly Patients

Open gastric surgery in elderly patients is associated with higher morbidity and mortality rates than those reported among younger individuals. Therefore, minimally invasive surgery may have a larger impact on the elderly compared to the younger age group. The objective of this study was to evaluate the experience of laparoscopy-assisted distal gastrectomy (LADG) in patients with early gastric cancer and compare the results in patients 70 years of age and older to those in patients younger than 70 years of age. From January 1998 to October 2004, a total of 103 patients underwent LADG. Of these patients, 30 who were older than 70 years were compared with 73 who were younger. Preoperative co-morbidity, operative results, postoperative outcomes, and survival were analyzed. Furthermore, as a standard control of this study, we reviewed 54 distal gastrectomy cases with open surgery (open distal gastrectomy; ODG) in the same term with the same background factors, categorized into elder (n = 16) and younger (n = 38). The mean age of the elderly patients was 75 years in the LADG group. A significantly higher proportion of elderly patients had concurrent diseases in both groups. Blood loss was significantly less in the elderly than in younger patients undergoing LADG, and it was less in the LADG group than in the ODG group. The overall 5-year survival rates in the LADG group were not significantly different between elderly and younger patients. Laparoscopy-assisted distal gastrectomy is a safe and effective treatment for early gastric cancer in the elderly. Therefore, chronological age alone should not be considered a contraindication in selecting patients for LADG.     

Previous Laparotomy is Not a Contraindication to Laparoscopy-assisted Gastrectomy for Early Gastric Cancer

BACKGROUND: Laparoscopic procedures have generally been considered to be contraindicated in patients with a history of laparotomy because of a high risk of enteric injury during the procedure. Laparoscopy-assisted gastrectomy (LAG) has been used increasingly in the treatment of early gastric cancer, but its indication for patients with a history of laparotomy remains unclear. The aim of the present study was to estimate whether LAG is contraindicated for the patient with a history of laparotomy (PSURG). METHODS: From January 2003 to March 2006, 139 patients with early gastric cancer underwent LAG with curative intent in our institute. Fifty were PSURG patients, and the remaining 89 patients underwent LAG without any history of laparotomy (NSURG). Operative and early postoperative outcomes were compared between the groups. RESULTS: Appendectomy and gynecological surgery were the predominant procedures performed in the PSURG group prior to undergoing LAG, involving 28 patients (56.0%) and 16 patients (32.0%), respectively. Detachment of adhesion above the umbilicus was required in 25 PSURG patients (50.0%). There was no significant difference in operative and postoperative results between the two groups, although 1 PSURG patient developed symptoms of bowel injury on the first postoperative day, probably caused during the laparoscopic procedure for dissection of a jejuno-jejunal adhesion. CONCLUSIONS: There was no difference in outcome following LAG between the PSURG and NSURG groups in the present study. The PSURG patient is not contraindicated for LAG assuming careful attention is given for all operative procedures, including port insertion and dissection of intra-abdominal adhesions.     

腹腔镜辅助远端胃癌根治术学习曲线研究

目的 探讨腹腔镜辅助远端胃癌根治术的学习曲线.方法 回顾分析2010年12月-2012年12月由同一术者完成的120例腹腔镜辅助远端胃癌根治手术的临床资料.按手术先后次序分为3组（A、B、C组各40例）,比较各组术中情况（手术时间、术中出血量、淋巴结清扫总数、中转开腹例数）及术后恢复情况（肛门排气时间、术后住院时间、并发症例数）.结果 与A组相比,B、C组手术时间短[A、B、C组分别为（287.8±34.9）、（200.6±21.2）、（201.8±27.7）min,F=125 012,P=0.000],术中出血量少[A、B、C组分别为（143.8±67.2）、（68.8±27.8）、（67.5±27.2）ml,F=38.018,P=0.000],淋巴结清扫数量多[A、B、C组分别为（18.3±3.4）、（25.8±4.6）、（26.3±4.9）个,F=43.047,P=0.000].B、C组之间差异均无显著性（P〉0.05）.3组肛门排气时间、术后住院时间、并发症发生率差异无显著性（P〉0.05）.结论在进行40例手术后,可完成腹腔镜辅助远端胃癌根治手术的学习曲线.     

Function-Preserving Gastrectomy for Early Gastric Cancer

The number of early gastric cancer (EGC) cases has been increasing because of improved diagnostic procedures. Applications of function-preserving gastric cancer surgery may therefore also be increasing because of its low incidence of lymph node metastasis, excellent survival rates, and the possibility of less-invasive procedures such as laparoscopic gastrectomy being used in combination. Pylorus-preserving gastrectomy (PPG) with radical lymph node dissection is one such function-preserving procedure that has been applied for EGC, with the indications, limitations, and survival benefits of PPG already reported in several retrospective studies. Laparoscopy-assisted proximal gastrectomy has also been applied for EGC of the upper third of the stomach, although this procedure can be associated with the 2 major problems of reflux esophagitis and carcinoma arising in the gastric stump. In the patient with EGC in the upper third of the stomach, laparoscopy-assisted subtotal gastrectomy with a preserved very small stomach may provide a better quality of life for the patients and fewer postoperative complications. Finally, the laparoscopy endoscopy cooperative surgery procedure combines endoscopic submucosal dissection with laparoscopic gastric wall resection, which prevents excessive resection and deformation of the stomach after surgery and was recently applied for EGC cases without possibility of lymph node metastasis. Function-preserving laparoscopic gastrectomy is recommended for the treatment of EGC if the indication followed by accurate diagnosis is strictly confirmed. Preservation of remnant stomach sometimes causes severe postoperative dysfunctions such as delayed gastric retention in PPG, esophageal reflux in PG, and gastric stump carcinoma in the remnant stomach. Moreover, these techniques present technical difficulties to the surgeon. Although many retrospective studies showed the functional benefit or oncological safety of function-preserving gastrectomy, further prospective studies using large case series are necessary.     

Omentum-Preserving Gastrectomy for Early Gastric Cancer

Background  The omentum has variable functions in surgical procedures. Nevertheless, there is very little information about the effect of omentum on abdominal complications after gastrectomy. The purpose of the present study was to determine the outcome of omentum-preserving gastrectomy for early gastric cancer. Methods  We evaluated 1,116 patients who had a gastrectomy for early gastric cancer between the years 2004 and 2006; 992 patients underwent conventional gastrectomy (CG), and 124 patients had an omentum-preserving gastrectomy (OPG). These cases were analyzed retrospectively. The early and late abdominal complications were compared between the CG and OPG groups. Results  The results of the study show no significant differences between the early abdominal complications in the CG and OPG groups. However, the late abdominal complication rate in the OPG was significantly lower than the CG (p = 0.026). The most common risk factor associated with early abdominal complications was type of operation. The combination of CG and early abdominal complication represented a statistically significant risk for late abdominal complications (p = 0.026, 0.031 respectively). Conclusion  The findings of this study demonstrate that the omentum-preserving gastrectomy in the treatment of early gastric cancer showed a lower rate of abdominal complications compared to the conventional gastrectomy.     

Clinical Outcome of Proximal versus Total Gastrectomy for Proximal Gastric Cancer

Tumors in the upper one-third of the stomach has been increasing. Although the standard operation for proximal gastric cancer has been total gastrectomy, some have used proximal gastrectomy reconstructed by jejunum or gastric tube. The aim of this study was to evaluate the surgical results, hospital costs, and quality of life after gastrectomy for cancer. A consecutive series of 51 patients with stage I or II proximal gastric cancer was studied: 14 underwent proximal gastrectomy reconstructed by gastric tube (direct anastomosis between esophagus and remnant of tube-like stomach), 17 proximal gastrectomy reconstructed by jejunum, and 20 total gastrectomy in Roux-en-Y fashion. Quality of life was estimated by a 24-item questionnaire with a scoring system of 1 to 3, and hospital costs covered all charges during the hospital stay. Operating time, blood loss, and hospital stay for the gastric tube group were less than those for the jejunum group or the total gastrectomy group. Hospital charges for the gastric tube group were lower than those for the jejunum group or the total gastrectomy group (141 x 10 4 yen, 179 x 10 4 yen, 211 x 10 4 yen, respectively). Although the total score for quality of life was not significantly different among the three groups (35.9, 39.5, 37.6), the number of meals per day was less and the performance status was better in the gastric tube group. Jejunal interposition was less favorably accepted by the patients as a good operation they would recommend to others. The results indicate that, in patients with proximal gastric cancer, proximal gastrectomy reconstructed by gastric tube provides a shorter operating time, earlier recovery, lower hospital charge, and better performance status when compared with proximal gastrectomy reconstructed with jejunum or total gastrectomy.     

Feasibility and Nutritional Impact of Laparoscopy-assisted Subtotal Gastrectomy for Early Gastric Cancer in the Upper Stomach

Background

Laparoscopy-assisted total gastrectomy (LATG) is commonly performed for early gastric cancer (EGC) in the upper stomach; however, the incidence of anastomotic complications remains high, and postoperative nutritional status is not satisfactory. This study aimed to evaluate the feasibility and nutritional impact of a novel surgical procedure, laparoscopy-assisted subtotal gastrectomy (LAsTG).

Methods

This was a retrospective study of 167 patients with EGC in the upper stomach. Of these, 57 patients underwent LAsTG, while 110 patients underwent LATG. Postoperative change in body weight, and serum concentration of albumin (Alb) and total protein (TP) were compared between the LAsTG and LATG groups. Analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) was used to assess the influence of potential confounding factors.

Results

Frequency of anastomotic complications was significantly higher in the LATG group (16.3 %) than in the LAsTG group (5.3 %, P = 0.040). Postoperative recovery of body weight at 12 months after surgery was significantly better in the LAsTG group (89.8 ± 1.4 %) than in the LATG group (82.1 ± 1.0 %, P < 0.001). By ANCOVA, adjusted mean differences of Alb and TP at 12 months after surgery between the LAsTG and LATG groups were 0.226 g/dl (95 % CI 0.141–0.312; P < 0.001) and 0.380 g/dl (95 % CI 0.265–0.495; P < 0.001); thus, the surgical procedure was significantly associated with the postoperative Alb and TP levels.

Conclusions

LAsTG could be a better choice than LATG for EGC in the upper stomach as a result of improvements in the incidence of anastomotic complications and postoperative nutritional status.     

Suitability of Sentinel Node Mapping as an Index of Metastasis in Early Gastric Cancer Following Endoscopic Resection

Background

When pathological diagnosis following endoscopic resection (ER) for early gastric cancer (EGC) suggests probable lymph node metastasis, additional surgery with lymphadenectomy should be performed. The sentinel node (SN) concept has yet to be applied to tumors following ER. The aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of SN navigation surgery for such tumors.

Methods

Forty patients diagnosed with EGC lesions <4 cm in diameter underwent gastrectomy with SN mapping following ER. A technetium-99 m tin colloid solution and a dye were injected into the submucosal layer around the post-ER scar in all four abdominal quadrants. We then compared the SN distribution and metastases among the patients who underwent ER and controls (n = 192).

Results

SNs were identifiable in all patients, and the mean number of SNs per case was 4.9. The location of the SN basin was similar in the patients who underwent ER and the controls. One patient (3 %) whose primary tumor had invaded the submucosal layer had a metastatic SN. The median time from ER to surgery was 73 days. No postoperative recurrence was observed in any patient over a median follow-up of 1,023 days.

Conclusions

Our findings suggest that the SN basin is not greatly affected by ER. The SN concept could be suitable for tumors following ER, but conventional gastrectomy with lymphadenectomy involving the SN basin should be used at present.     

Long-term Outcome after Proximal Gastrectomy with Jejunal Interposition for Gastric Cancer Compared with Total Gastrectomy

Background

Proximal gastrectomy (PG) has been widely accepted as treatment for early gastric cancer located in the upper third of the stomach. Reconstruction by jejunal interposition has been known to reduce reflux esophagitis for PG patients. The aim of this study was to compare the long-term outcomes of patients who underwent PG with jejunal interposition with those treated by total gastrectomy (TG).

Methods

Data on 102 cases of PG with jejunal interposition and 49 cases of TG with Roux-Y reconstruction for gastric cancer were analyzed retrospectively in terms of overall survival, weight maintenance, anemia and nutritional status, and endoscopic findings.

Results

Median follow-up time was 59 months in the both groups. There was no significant difference in the overall 5-year survival rate between the PG group (94 %) and the TG group (84 %). The PG group showed significantly better body weight maintenance at the first year. The laboratory blood tests showed that the PG group had a significantly better red blood cell count and hemoglobin and hematocrit levels at the second and third year. However, postoperative endoscopic surveillance detected reflux esophagitis (3 %), peptic ulcer (9 %), and metachronous gastric cancer (5 %) in the PG group.

Conclusions

Proximal gastrectomy maintains comparable oncological radicality to TG and is preferred over TG in terms of preventing postoperative anemia. However, periodic endoscopic follow-up is necessary to monitor the upper gastrointestinal tract.     

Lower Esophageal Sphincter- and Vagus-Preserving Proximal Partial Gastrectomy for Early Cancer of the Gastric Cardia

Purpose Proximal gastrectomy and lymph node dissection are often performed for T1 cancer of the gastric cardia; however, direct esophagogastrostomy is frequently complicated by reflux esophagitis. We describe a simple technique for preventing esophageal reflux and discuss its results. Methods This technique is indicated for T1 cancer of the gastric cardia without lymphadenopathy. Partial resection, including the lesion, is performed, preserving the vagus nerve and lower esophageal sphincter (LES). Lymph node dissection is done around the left gastric, celiac, and splenic arteries. The esophagus is then anastomosed to the anterior wall in the center of the remnant stomach. Results We evaluated the results of this procedure in eight patients. X-ray films showed no esophageal reflux in either the supine or the right decubitus position. None of the patients complained of reflux or other dyscrasic symptoms, and none had any feeling of microgastria. One patient had some localized erosion near the anastomosis. Conclusions This simple and safe technique does not result in post-gastrectomy syndrome or microgastria, and the risk of leaving cancer cells is minimal.     

Outcome of Segmental Gastrectomy versus Distal Gastrectomy for Early Gastric Cancer

Background Because of the frequent occurrence of postgastrectomy disturbances after distal gastrectomy (DG), segmental gastrectomy (SG) has recently been applied to early gastric cancer (EGC). Outcomes of SG and DG in patients with EGC were compared to clarify the usefulness of SG as a treatment for EGC. Methods This retrospective study involved 61 patients with EGC: 28 patients who underwent DG before March 1996 and 33 patients who underwent SG after April 1996 during the period April 1991 through March 2002. Patient and tumor characteristics, operative results, and postoperative outcomes were compared between the two groups. Results The postoperative/preoperative body weight ratio was higher in the SG group than in the DG group. Early dumping syndrome and reflux gastritis occurred less frequently after SG than after DG. The incidence of postoperative complications was similar in the two groups. All patients remained alive without recurrence during a mean follow-up period of 54.7 months in the SG group and 99.9 months in the DG group. Conclusions In comparison to DG, SG is associated with improved postoperative quality of life with no decrease in operative curability of EGC. Thus, SG is a feasible treatment for EGC.     

Appropriate Gastric Resection with Lymph Node Dissection for Early Gastric Cancer

Background The extent of lymphadenectomy (limited vs. extended) and that of gastric resection (partial vs. total) remain controversial issues in the management of early gastric cancer (EGC). A multicentric study was performed to elucidate the appropriate gastric resection with lymph node dissection for early gastric cancer.Methods From 1979 to 1988, 332 patients with EGC underwent surgery in 23 French centers. Clinicopathological data, the extent of resection, and the number of lymph nodes retrieved were reviewed retrospectively and screened for prognostic effect. The mean follow-up for the 332 EGC patients was 80 months.Results Postoperative mortality was correlated to age (odds ratio [OR], 1.1) and extent of gastric resection (OR,10.3). Examination of survival data (excluding postoperative deaths) with univariate analysis and the Cox proportional hazards model showed that the independent factors for excellent prognosis included no lymphatic involvement (P = .005), 10 or more lymph nodes retrieved (P = .003), site of the tumor in the lower third of the stomach (P = .01), and mucosal lesions (P = .04). The extent of resection did not influence long-term survival.Conclusions Our results suggest that because of the associated good prognosis, the appropriate surgical treatment for EGC is partial gastrectomy with lymphadenectomy retrieving 10 or more lymph nodes.     

进展期近端胃癌保脾根治手术进展

按照第14版《日本胃癌处理规约》规定,近端胃癌根治D2淋巴结清扫术必须清扫脾门淋巴结。胰尾与脾门之间解剖复杂,彻底清扫脾门淋巴结存在技术上困难,为达到彻底清扫的目的,联合脾切除曾为近端胃癌D2根治术的常规术式。研究人员近年来对脾脏功能进行深入研究发现脾脏具有重要的免疫功能,保留脾脏对患者预后具有重要意义。随着外科医生手术技术的提高,进展期近端胃癌保脾根治手术逐渐开展。本文就进展期近端胃癌保脾根治手术的可行性、保脾适应证、手术相关解剖及入路等方面进行综述。