Laparoscopic versus open distal gastrectomy for early gastric cancer in Japan: long-term clinical outcomes of a randomized clinical trial

Purpose

We report the long-term clinical outcomes of a randomized clinical trial comparing laparoscopy-assisted distal gastrectomy (LADG) with open DG (ODG).

Methods

Between 2005 and 2008, 63 patients with clinical T1 (cT1) gastric cancer were randomly assigned to undergo either LADG or ODG. Long-term clinical outcomes included prospective questionnaire-based symptoms and survival.

Results

Based on the responses to the prospective questionnaires, patients who underwent LADG reported greater satisfaction and were more likely to favor the procedure than those who underwent ODG. The most notable difference in symptoms was related to wound pain and diarrhea. After ODG, wound pain reduced in intensity but persisted throughout the follow-up. Surprisingly, diarrhea was more frequent after LADG than after ODG, possibly due to overeating, because symptoms elicited by overeating, such as vomiting after a meal or heartburn, were also more frequent after LADG. In terms of long-term survival, there were no cases of recurrence in either group.

Conclusions

LADG was associated with less wound pain during long-term follow-up after surgery, whereas symptoms related to overeating were common. Based on our findings and the patients’ reported satisfaction, we recommend LADG for cT1 gastric cancer as an effective procedure with excellent long-term survival.

     

Feasibility of Laparoscopic Distal Gastrectomy for Stage I Gastric Cancer in Patients Outside of Clinical Trials

Background

Randomized controlled trials, including the Japan Clinical Oncology Group (JCOG) 0912 trial, have shown the safety of laparoscopy-assisted distal gastrectomy (LADG) for select healthy patients. It is unclear whether LADG is feasible in patients who do not meet trial eligibility criteria.

Methods

The present study retrospectively reviewed 547 patients with clinical stage I gastric cancer who underwent distal or pylorus-preserving gastrectomy. Of these, 185 were identified as not fulfilling the eligibility criteria of JCOG 0912; the short-term surgical outcomes between LADG and open distal gastrectomy (ODG) were compared in this group before and after propensity score matching.

Results

Patients who were not eligible for inclusion in the trial comprised 33.8% of the total. After matching, there were 59 patients each in the LADG and ODG groups, with an improved balance of confounding factors between the two groups. LADG was associated with significantly longer operation time, less blood loss, and shorter postoperative hospital stay than ODG. The rate of overall postoperative complications of Clavien–Dindo Grade II or higher did not differ significantly between the LADG and ODG groups (23.7 vs. 18.6%, respectively; p?=?0.653). The incidence of pneumonia (6.8 vs. 5.1%), intra-abdominal infectious complications (5.1 vs. 3.4%), and stasis syndrome (5.1 vs. 3.4%) was also comparable between the two groups.

Conclusion

LADG was as safe as ODG in patients who did not meet the eligibility criteria of JCOG 0912. LADG could be a standard treatment option for patients with stage I gastric cancer, regardless of their general condition.

     

Laparoscopic versus open distal gastrectomy for locally advanced gastric cancer after neoadjuvant chemotherapy: safety and short-term oncologic results

Background

To compare the safety and efficacy of laparoscopic distal gastrectomy (LDG) versus open distal gastrectomy (ODG) in treating locally advanced distal gastric cancer after neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT).

Methods

Forty-four patients with locally advanced distal gastric cancer were enrolled. The patients received neoadjuvant chemotherapy before undergoing surgery. Twenty patients were allocated into LDG after NACT group and 24 patients into ODG after NACT group. Radicalness of oncological resection, surgical safety and recovery were measured and compared.

Results

All operations were successfully performed without severe postoperative complications. There were no significant differences in blood loss, mean operation time, complications, distal and proximal resection margin, and number of retrieved lymph nodes between LDG and ODG groups, but LDG group had shorter length of incision and the first aerofluxus time.

Conclusion

Laparoscopic distal gastrectomy after NACT has comparable results with open distal gastrectomy in safety and efficacy in the short term.

     

Laparoscopy-assisted distal gastrectomy is feasible also for elderly patients aged 80 years and over: effectiveness and long-term prognosis

Background

Elderly patients usually have concurrent ailments, and the safety and effectiveness of laparoscopy-assisted distal gastrectomy (LADG) for these patients have been controversial. This study aimed to evaluate whether laparoscopy-assisted distal gastrectomy is safe and effective for elderly patients aged 80 years and over, as well as to clarify their long-term prognosis.

Methods

A total of 31 patients aged 80 years and over who underwent LADG in our hospital were retrospectively reviewed. Peri- and postoperative data were compared with those of 38 patients aged 65 years and younger. The median follow-up period of the elderly and younger group was 56.0 and 63.0 months, respectively, and their prognosis was examined.

Results

There were significant differences between the two groups in preoperative respiratory and renal functions, hemoglobin, and nutritional index. Significant differences in postoperative complications were seen only in pneumonia and delirium. There were no hospital deaths, but the 3-year and 5-year overall survival rates were significantly lower in the elderly group than in the non-elderly group. However, in the elderly group, only one patient died of gastric cancer recurrence, whereas four died of cardiovascular disease and three died of pneumonia during follow-up. Therefore, the recurrence-free survival rate was not significantly different between the groups.

Conclusions

LADG seems to be safe and effective even for elderly patients, and their prognosis was satisfactory. However, careful monitoring for cardiovascular and pulmonary disease should be observed during the follow-up period.

     

Right-Side Approach-Duet Totally Laparoscopic Distal Gastrectomy (R-Duet TLDG) Using a Three-Port to Treat Gastric Cancer

Background

Gastric cancer is commonly treated via minimally invasive surgery. The present study explored the feasibility of right-side approach-duet (R-duet) totally laparoscopic distal gastrectomy using a three-port compared with a four- or five-port.

Methods

A total of 251 patients who underwent curative totally laparoscopic distal gastrectomy for gastric cancer (72 R-duet, 74 four-port, and 105 five-port) at the Catholic Medical Center were enrolled. All operations were performed using conventional laparoscopic instruments. The clinicopathological characteristics, operative details, and postoperative short-term outcomes were analyzed retrospectively.

Results

The clinicopathological characteristics did not differ significantly among the groups, except that the N stage was higher in the five-port group. The operating time was significantly longer in the four-port than the R-duet group (R-duet, four-port, and five-port 148.2 ± 30.7, 162.4 ± 30.6, and 159.9 ± 31.5 min, respectively; p = 0.024). The estimated blood loss did not differ significantly. Postoperatively, the times to flatus and to soft diet consumption and the hospital stay were significantly longer in the five-port group. The extent of postoperative complications did not differ among the groups.

Conclusions

R-duet totally laparoscopic distal gastrectomy is a reliable form of reduced-port surgery when used to treat gastric cancer; no special instruments are required.

     

Impact of Abdominal Shape on Short-Term Surgical Outcome of Laparoscopy-Assisted Distal Gastrectomy for Gastric Cancer

Background

Laparoscopy-assisted distal gastrectomy (LADG) has been widely accepted for the treatment for gastric cancer. The aim of the present study was to explore the impact of abdominal shape parameters on gastric antrum cancer patients’ short-term surgical outcomes of LADG with D2 lymph node dissection in both genders, including the number of lymph nodes retrieved and surgical safety index.

Methods

This was a retrospective analysis of 177 gastric antrum cancer patients, who underwent LADG between April 2009 and January 2016. The abdominal shape parameters, including abdominal anterior-posterior diameter (APD), transverse diameter (TD), xiphoid process of the sternum-navel distance (XND), and thickness of subcutaneous fat (SCF) at the umbilicus level, were calculated by preoperative abdominal computed tomography (CT) scans. The effects of abdominal shape parameters on the short-term surgical outcomes of LADG were analyzed.

Results

In male patients undergoing LADG and D2 lymph node dissection, the number of retrieved lymph nodes was significantly lower in patients with APD ≥17.3 cm (P?=?0.005), TD ≥27.4 cm (P?=?0.029), SCF ≥1.2 cm (P?=?0.014), and BMI ≥22.2 (P?=?0.008), whereas in female patients, these were statistically insignificant (P?>?0.05). APD, TD, SCF, and BMI were negatively correlated with the number of retrieved lymph nodes in male patients. There was no significant difference in the number of lymph nodes retrieved between high-XND group and low-XND group in either gender. Operation time was significantly shorter in male patients with XND?<?17.0 cm (P?=?0.044) and in female patients with SCF?<?2.15 cm (P?=?0.013). Intraoperative blood loss and postoperative complication rate were not significantly different between high- and low-APD groups, high- and low-TD groups, high- and low-XND groups, and high- and low-SCF groups in either gender. Compared with male patients, SCF and TD were significantly higher in female patients. In addition, a higher incidence rate of hypertension was observed in patients of both genders with large APD and SCF, although statistically significant only in male patients.

Conclusions

LADG with D2 lymph node dissection can effectively achieve the lymph node dissection requirement of radical distal gastrectomy for patients with various abdominal shapes. It is worth noting that APD, TD, and SCF can impact on lymph node dissection of LADG in male patients. Nevertheless, in female patients, abdominal shape do not impact on lymph node dissection of LADG. Moreover, LADG with D2 lymph node dissection is proved to be safe for various abdominal shape in both genders, even for abdominal obese patients.

     

The Oncological Value of Omentectomy in Gastrectomy for Cancer

Aim

The aim of this study was to determine the oncologic value of omentectomy in patients undergoing gastrectomy for gastric cancer.

Methods

All consecutive patients with gastric cancer that underwent gastrectomy with curative intent between April 2012 and August 2015 were prospectively analyzed. The greater omentum was separately marked during operation and pathologically evaluated for the presence of omental lymph nodes and tumor deposits.

Results

In total, 50 patients were included. The greater omentum harbored lymph nodes in nine (18 %) patients. The omental lymph nodes contained metastases in one (2 %) patient, still free of disease after 20 months. Omental tumor deposits were found in four (8 %) patients; one died <30 days postoperative and three developed peritoneal carcinomatosa after 4, 4, and 8 months. Patients with omental tumor deposits had a significantly reduced 1-year disease-free survival compared to patients without tumor deposits (0 vs. 58.7 %, p?=?0.003). No predictive factors for omental tumor involvement could be identified.

Conclusion

Omental lymph node metastases or tumor deposits are present in 10 % of Western European patients undergoing gastrectomy for gastric cancer. Omentectomy has a prognostic and oncologic value in the curative treatment of patients with gastric cancer. As no predictive factors for omental tumor involvement could be identified, omentectomy should be the standard in gastrectomy for gastric cancer patients.

     

Comparison of endoscopic resection and gastrectomy for the treatment of early gastric cancer: a meta-analysis

Background

Endoscopic resection methods, including endoscopic mucosal resection and endoscopic submucosal dissection, have become standard treatment modalities for patients with early gastric cancer (EGC) and absolute indications, with en bloc resection being more frequent with the latter. Endoscopic resection, however, has been associated with higher recurrence and metachronous cancer rates than gastrectomy. This meta-analysis compared the efficacy and safety of endoscopic resection and gastrectomy for EGC.

Methods

PubMed, EMBASE and Web of Science were electronically searched for relevant studies comparing endoscopic resection and gastrectomy for EGC from 1976 through March 2015. The primary endpoints were en bloc resection and histologically complete resection rates. The secondary endpoints were duration of hospital stay and rates of complications, recurrence, metachronous cancer and overall survival.

Results

This meta-analysis enrolled 10 studies with 2070 patients: 993 patients who underwent endoscopic resection and 1077 who underwent gastrectomy. Endoscopic resection was associated with shorter hospital stay (standardized mean difference ?2.02; 95 % confidence interval [CI] ?2.64 to ?1.39) and lower complication rate (relative risk [RR] 0.41; 95 % CI 0.22–0.76) than gastrectomy. However, endoscopic resection was associated with lower rates of en bloc resection (odds ratio [OR] 0.05; 95 % CI 0.02–0.16) and histologically complete resection (OR 0.04; 95 % CI 0.01–0.11) and higher rates of recurrence (RR 5.23; 95 % CI 2.43–11.27) and metachronous cancer (RR 5.22; 95 % CI 2.40–11.34) than gastrectomy. Overall survival rate (OR 1.18; 95 % CI 0.76–1.82) was similar.

Conclusions

Endoscopic resection is minimally invasive and as effective as surgery, suggesting that the former be considered standard treatment for EGC. It should be recommended as standard treatment for EGC with indications. Additional randomized controlled trials from more countries are required.

     

Association of Positive Transection Margins with Gastric Cancer Survival and Local Recurrence

Purpose

To examine the association between positive resection margins and survival and local recurrence in patients with gastric cancer undergoing resection with curative intent.

Methods

Patients who underwent curative intent resection for gastric carcinoma from 1985 to 2010 were identified from a prospectively maintained database. Positive margins were defined as disease present at the line of luminal transection. Clinicopathological features and outcome of patients undergoing gastrectomy with negative and positive margins were compared.

Results

Among 2384 patients undergoing curative intent resection, 108 (4.5 %) had positive margins. Positive margins were associated with higher American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) stage, T stage, N stage, median number of positive nodes, diffuse Lauren type, and poorly differentiated tumors. Treatment of positive margins consisted of: observation (39 %), chemoradiotherapy (26 %), chemotherapy (20 %), repeat resection (10 %), radiotherapy (4 %), and unknown (1 %). Multivariate analysis of the entire cohort demonstrated margin status, T stage, N stage, grade, and perineural invasion to be independent predictors of survival. Margin status was an independent predictor of survival in patients with ≤3 positive nodes or T1–2 disease but was not in patients with >3 positive nodes or T3–4 disease. Local recurrence occurred in 16 % of patients with a positive margin. We identified no factors predictive of local recurrence in patients with positive margins.

Conclusions

Positive resection margin is associated with advanced AJCC stage and aggressive tumor biology but remains an independent predictor of worse survival. The significance of a positive margin in gastric cancer is confined to patients with nontransmural disease and/or limited nodal involvement.

     

Training system for laparoscopy-assisted distal gastrectomy

Purpose

Laparoscopy-assisted distal gastrectomy (LADG) is likely to become a standard procedure for gastric cancer, which highlights the importance of establishing a training system in which even inexperienced surgeons can perform this procedure safely. This study assesses our training system for LADG based on short-term surgical outcomes.

Methods

We evaluated retrospectively the short-term outcomes of 100 consecutive LADGs with curative D1/D1+ lymph node dissection. Our training system was assessed based on the learning curve of trainees, and factors related to achieving good-quality operations were analyzed statistically.

Results

Overall, postoperative complications developed in 10 patients (10%), and included one case of anastomotic leakage (1%) and one case of pancreatic fistula (1%). The learning curve of the trainees plateaued after 10 operator cases in terms of operation time. The importance of the trainer’s position was also confirmed by the result that the operation time was significantly longer when trainees with ≤10 operator cases performed LADG with a trainer as scopist vs. a trainer as the first assistant. Univariate and multivariate analyses revealed that >10 operator cases were the most important factor for achieving good-quality operations.

Conclusion

These results show that our current LADG procedure and training system are appropriate and effective.

     

Surgical and Survival Outcome Following Truly Palliative Gastrectomy in Patients with Incurable Gastric Cancer

Background and objectives

Gastrectomy is sometimes performed even in patients with incurable factors, particularly when they have urgent symptoms. The aim of this study was to clarify the clinicopathological characteristics of patients undergoing palliative gastrectomy and to identify prognostic factors.

Methods

This study included consecutive 137 gastric cancer patients with urgent symptoms who underwent gastrectomy with macroscopic residual tumor at Shizuoka Cancer Center. Clinicopathological characteristics and surgical outcomes were investigated. In addition, we used the Cox proportional hazards model to identify independent prognostic factors.

Results

Of 137 patients, urgent symptoms were bleeding in 58 patients and stenosis in 112 patients. Postoperative complications were observed in 58 patients (42 %). Chemotherapy was given after surgery in 94 patients (70 %). Median survival time for all patients was 9.9 months, and was longer in patients receiving chemotherapy (11.1 months) than in those not receiving chemotherapy (6.8 months; p = 0.002). Multivariate analysis identified macroscopic type (hazard ratio, 0.471; 95 % confidence interval, 0.364–0.927) as an independent prognostic factor.

Conclusions

The postoperative complication rate was high and survival outcome was poor in patients undergoing palliative gastrectomy. Postoperative chemotherapy may carry a better survival outcome, so we should try to give chemotherapy after palliative gastrectomy.

     

Feasibility of hyperthermic pressurized intraperitoneal aerosol chemotherapy in a porcine model

Background

Peritoneal carcinomatosis is an unmet therapeutic need. Several types of intraperitoneal chemotherapy have been introduced. However, hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy has limited drug distribution and poor peritoneal penetration. Pressurized intraperitoneal aerosol chemotherapy (PIPAC) does not have the benefits of hyperthermia. We developed a device to apply hyperthermic PIPAC (H-PAC) and evaluated its feasibility in a porcine model.

Methods

The device for H-PAC consisted of a laparoscopic aerosol spray and a heater to create hyperthermic capnoperitoneum. We operated on five pigs for the development of the new device and on another five pigs as a survival model. After a pilot experiment of the survival model (Pig A), a hyperthermic pressurized intraperitoneal aerosol of indocyanine green was administered after insertion of three trocars (Pig B) and laparoscopy-assisted distal gastrectomy (LADG) (Pig C) without chemotherapeutic agents. After that, H-PAC with cisplatin was administered after insertion of three trocars (Pig D) and LADG (Pig E). Autopsies were performed on postoperative day 7.

Results

Median operation time was 85 min (80–110 min). Intraperitoneal temperature was constant for 1 h of H-PAC (38.8–40.2 °C). All five pigs were healthy and survived for 7 days. Median weight loss was 0.2 kg. Autopsy tissues of stomach, peritoneum, and jejunum were intact in all five pigs.

Conclusions

H-PAC was feasible and safe in a porcine model.

     

Results of a nationwide questionnaire-based survey on nutrition management following gastric cancer resection in Japan

Purpose

A study was conducted to clarify the actual status of nutrition management after gastric cancer surgery in Japan and obtain basic data for optimizing perioperative nutrition management.

Methods

A questionnaire was sent to 354 hospitals with at least 50 cases of gastric cancer surgery per year. Questions included the perioperative nutrition management and length of hospital stay for patients who underwent gastric cancer surgery within three months of the survey.

Results

Responses were obtained from 242 hospitals (68%; 20,858 patients). Nutrition management was consistent between laparotomy and laparoscopic surgery for 84% of respondents. The number of postoperative days was the most commonly chosen index for starting oral feeding. The most commonly chosen index for hospital dischargeability was diet composition/amount consumed in 182 hospitals (44%), followed by laboratory data stabilization in 106 hospitals (26%), and the number of postoperative days in 87 hospitals (21%). A positive correlation was found between the mean length of postoperative hospital stay and starting oral feeding (r = 0.23 for distal gastrectomy; r = 0.34 for total gastrectomy). The length of hospital stay tended to be shorter with an earlier start of oral feeding (p < 0.01).

Conclusion

Early postoperative oral feeding may be a factor in reducing the length of hospital stay after gastric cancer surgery.

     

Body composition changes after totally laparoscopic distal gastrectomy with delta-shaped anastomosis: a comparison with conventional Billroth I anastomosis

Background

The purpose of this study was to compare body composition changes of patients undergoing totally laparoscopic distal gastrectomy (TLDG) with delta-shaped anastomosis (DSA) versus conventional laparoscopic distal gastrectomy (CLDG).

Methods

Data from gastric cancer patients who underwent laparoscopic distal gastrectomy for histologically proven gastric cancer in KNUMC from January 2013 to May 2014 were collected and reviewed. We examined 85 consecutive patients undergoing TLDG or CLDG: 41 patients underwent TLDG and 44 patients underwent CLDG. Body composition was assessed by segmental multifrequency bioelectrical impedance analysis. We compared the changes in nutritional parameters and body composition from preoperative status between the two groups at postoperative 6 and 12 months.

Results

All of the postoperative changes in the body composition and nutritional indices were similar between the two groups with the exception of visceral fat areas (VFAs) and albumin levels. VFAs increased at 6 months postoperatively in the TLDG group and a significant difference was shown at 12 months postoperatively between the TLDG and CLDG groups (86.7 ± 22.8 and 74.7 ± 21.9 cm², respectively, P < 0.05). Postoperative albumin levels were higher in the TLDG group with statistical significance at 6 and 12 months after surgery (6 months, P = 0.028; 12 months, P = 0.012).

Conclusions

The influence of TLDG with DSA on nutrition and body composition seemed comparable to those of CLDG. Six months postoperatively, VFAs and albumin levels were recovered in the TLDG group but not in the CLDG group. Thus, TLDG seems to be a novel surgical method.

     

Process of Pancreas Head as a Risk Factor for Postoperative Pancreatic Fistula in Laparoscopic Gastric Cancer Surgery

Background

Postoperative pancreatic fistula (POPF)—often caused by pancreatic injury during dissection of the peripancreatic lymph nodes—is a serious complication after gastric cancer surgery. We defined protruding pancreatic tissue on the anterior side of the pancreas head as “process of the pancreas head” (PPH) and investigated whether PPH is a predictable risk factor for POPF after laparoscopic gastrectomy.

Methods

We reviewed 255 patients who underwent laparoscopic total or distal gastrectomy for gastric cancer. The perioperative outcomes of 142 patients operated in the study’s early phase were investigated to evaluate the risk factors for POPF. To evaluate whether preoperative identification of PPH by computed tomography (CT) and intraoperative prediction of pancreas head outline could reduce the risk of POPF, the outcomes of 113 patients operated in the late phase were assessed.

Results

Of the 142 early-phase patients, PPH was identified intraoperatively in 38 patients (26.8 %). A total of 13 patients (9.1 %) developed POPF > grade 2. PPH was identified as a risk factor for POPF (P < 0.01). In early-phase patients with PPH, the POPF rate was 21.0 %; in the late phase, it decreased to 4.3 %. Further, the POPF rate in early-phase patients with BMI > 25 and PPH was 42.6 %, decreasing to 0 % in the late-phase patients.

Conclusions

The presence of PPH is a risk factor for POPF after laparoscopic gastrectomy for gastric cancer. Identifying PPH using preoperative CT images and predicting the shape of the pancreas head during infrapyloric lymph node dissection are valuable in preventing POPF following laparoscopic gastric cancer surgery.

     

Positive Lymph Node Ratio as an Indicator of Prognosis and Local Tumor Clearance in N3 Gastric Cancer

Background

Nodal metastasis is an important clinical issue in gastric cancer patients. This study was designed to investigate the clinical usefulness of the positive lymph node ratio (PLNR), which reflects both metastatic and retrieved lymph node numbers, in patients with pN3 gastric cancer.

Methods

We retrospectively analyzed the records of 138 consecutive pN3 patients who underwent curative gastrectomy with lymphadenectomy from 2000 to 2012.

Results

A PLNR of 0.4 was proved to be the best cutoff value to stratify the prognosis of patients with pN3 gastric cancer (P?<?0.001). Univariate and multivariate analyses revealed that older age, larger tumor size (≥10 cm), and PLNR?≥?0.4 [P?<?0.001, HR 3.1 (95 % CI 1.7–5.4)] were independent prognostic factors in pN3 gastric cancer. Regarding the recurrence, patients with PLNR <0.4 had a significantly lower rate of lymph node recurrence than those with PLNR ≥0.4 (P?=?0.020). There was no significant difference in the lymph node recurrence rate between N3a and N3b patients in the PLNR <0.4 group [P?=?0.546, 11.6 % (7/60) vs. 12.5 (1/8)], indicating a better local control regardless of pN3 subgroups.

Conclusions

PLNR is useful to stratify the prognosis and evaluate the extent of local tumor clearance in pN3 gastric cancer.

     

Converting a Sleeve Gastrectomy to a Gastric Bypass for Weight Loss Failure—Is It Worth It?

Background

Sleeve gastrectomy (SG) is gaining popularity and has become the procedure of choice for many bariatric surgeons. Long-term weight loss failure is not uncommon. The preferred revisional procedure for these patients is still under debate.

Objective

The objective of this study was to assess the safety and efficacy of laparoscopic gastric bypass as a revisional surgery for sleeve gastrectomy patients with weight loss failure.

Setting

The study was done at a bariatric surgery center in a university hospital.

Methods

We reviewed our prospectively collected database and identified all patients who underwent conversion of a sleeve gastrectomy to a gastric bypass for weight loss failure. Data on patient demographics, baseline characteristics, and outcomes of bariatric surgery were retrieved.

Results

Twenty-three patients with a mean body mass index (BMI) of 41.6 kg/m2 (range 34.1–50.1 kg/m2) underwent conversion to a gastric bypass. Four patients underwent a gastric band prior to the sleeve gastrectomy, and two patients underwent a re-sleeve gastrectomy prior to conversion to a gastric bypass.At a mean follow-up of 24 months (range 9–46 months), the average body mass index (BMI) decreased to 33.8 kg/m2 and the excess body mass index loss (EBMIL) was 42.6%. Diabetes, hypertension, dyslipidemia, and obstructive sleep apnea resolved or improved in 44.4, 45.5, 50, and 50% of the patients, respectively. Three patients developed early postop complications (13%), while late complications occurred in four patients (17%).

Conclusion

Converting a sleeve gastrectomy to a gastric bypass for weight loss failure is safe, yet weight loss benefit is limited.

     

Evaluation of the Safety and Feasibility of Laparoscopic Total Gastrectomy in Clinical Stage I Gastric Cancer Patients

Background

This retrospective study was designed to assess the feasibility of laparoscopic total gastrectomy (LTG) in clinical stage I gastric cancer patients, and validate the appropriateness of the widespread adoption of LTG for experienced open surgeons.

Methods

Eighty-eight patients with clinical stage I gastric cancer underwent LTG in our hospitals (n = 55) and affiliated hospitals (n = 33). Esophagojejunostomy was performed intracoporeally using a circular stapler with an incision in the left upper abdomen. We investigated the patients’ clinicopathologic factor, and evaluated the effect of hospital volume on short-term outcomes.

Results

Fixed insertion of the anvil head was successfully achieved in all patients (lift-up method in 58 patients and transoral method in 28 patients), although 2 patients were converted to open surgery. The approach using a circular stapler through a small incision from the upper left quadrant of the abdomen facilitated a good laparoscopic visual field for the plane of the esophagojejunostomy. Fourteen patients developed Clavien–Dindo classification grade II or more postoperative complications, and the overall operative morbidity rate was 15.9 %. No anastomotic leakage was encountered in this series. No significant difference was observed in clinical outcomes between patients in the high- and low-volume hospital groups.

Conclusions

Laparoscopic total gastrectomy can be performed safely on clinical stage I gastric cancer patients by surgeons with sufficient experience in open gastrectomy and therefore represents a feasible procedure that is not clinically impacted by hospital volume.

     

Laparoscopic Total Gastrectomy with D2 Lymphadenectomy and Side-to-Side Stapled Esophagojejunostomy

Introduction

An optimal method has yet to be established for laparoscopic total gastrectomy with intracorporeal anastomosis.

Methods

We aim to describe a simple technique for intracorporeal anastomoses. Technique of laparoscopic total gastrectomy with side-to-side stapled intracorporeal esophagojejunostomy anastomosis and Roux-en-Y jejunojejunostomy is performed on patients with gastric malignancy in an academic community tertiary care center.

Results

The anastomotic technique of laparoscopic total gastrectomy with side-to-side stapled esophagojejunostomy is described.

Conclusion

Laparoscopic total gastrectomy with D2 lymphadenectomy and side-to-side esophagojejunostomy is safe to perform and has the advantage of a wide lumen with low chance for stricture. A laparoscopic total gastrectomy with stapled side-to-side esophagojejunostomy is feasible and safe in advanced gastric cancer.