Laparoscopic gastric resection

Laparoscopic versus open wedge resection for gastrointestinal stromal tumors of the stomach: a single-center 8-year retrospective cohort study of 156 patients with long-term follow-up

BACKGROUND

The aim of this study was to compared laparoscopic (LWR) and open wedge resection (OWR) for the treatment of gastric gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs).

METHODS

The data of 156 consecutive GISTs patients underwent LWR or OWR between January 2006 and December 2013 were collected retrospectively. The surgical outcomes and the long-term survival rates were compared. Besides, a rapid systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted.

RESULTS

Clinicopathological characteristics of the patients were similar between the two groups. The LWR group was associated with less intraoperative blood loss (67.3 vs. 142.7 ml, P < 0.001), earlier postoperative flatus (2.3 vs. 3.2 days, P < 0.001), earlier oral intake (3.2 vs. 4.1 days, P < 0.001) and shorter postoperative hospital stay (6.0 vs. 8.0 days, P = 0.001). The incidence of postoperative complications was lower in LWR group but did not reach statistical significance (4/90, 4.4% vs. 8/66, 12.1%, P = 0.12). No significant difference was observed in 3-year relapse-free survival rate between the two groups (98.6% vs. 96.4%, P > 0.05). The meta-analysis revealed similar results except less overall complications in the LWR group (RR = 0.49, 95% CI, 0.25 to 0.95, P = 0.04). And the recurrence risk was similar in two group (RR = 0.80, 95% CI, 0.28 to 2.27, P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

LWR is a technically and oncologically safe and feasible approach for gastric GISTs compared with OWR. Moreover, LWR appears to be a preferable choice with mini-invasive benefits.

Robotic gastric resection of large gastrointestinal stromal tumors

BACKGROUND

The stomach is the most common site for gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST) development. Surgical treatment consists of excision of the entire neoplastic mass, with sufficient surgical margins within healthy tissue. This can be achieved with different techniques ranging from wedge resections, typical gastric resections, right up to total gastrectomy. There aren't clear guidelines for the use of minimally invasive approach.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

From January 2011 to April 2012, 5 patients with presumed preoperative diagnosis of GIST were treated by robotic surgery at the Unit of Surgery and Advanced Oncologic Therapies, Forlì Hospital, Forlì, Italy. We report operative techniques, perioperative outcomes and follow-up.

RESULTS

Lesions were localized at anterior wall of gastric antrum (N = 2) and near pyloric area (N = 3). Mean tumor size was 5 cm (range 4-7 cm). Surgical procedures were 5 distal gastrectomy. None intervention was converted to open surgery and there weren't major intraoperative complications. Median operative time was 240 min (range 210-300 min) and mean intraoperative blood loss was 96 ml (80-120 ml). All lesions had microscopically negative resection margins. Median follow-up was 13.5 months (range 12-15 months) with a disease-free survival rate of 100%.

CONCLUSIONS

Surgical robotic approach for large GISTs is feasibility and new evidences are needed to clarify the effective role of different surgical strategies.

Partial gastric outlet obstruction caused by a huge submucosal tumor originating in the heterotopic pancreas

A 21-year-old woman presented gastrointestinal manifestation showing intermittent abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting. An upper endoscopic examination showed round, elevated mucosa at the antrum of the stomach anterior wall. After CT scanning, a huge degenerated gastrointestinal stromal tumor was suspected. Subtotal gastrectomy with Billroth II anastomosis was performed. Histologically, pseudocystic degeneration of the heterotopic pancreas was confirmed. The patient showed eventful postoperative course except temporary dilated gastric emptying. The patient is doing well without any abnormal symptom at 8-month follow-up. This report is a rare case of gastric outlet obstruction caused by a pseudocyst originating from a heterotopic pancreas in the gastric antrum.

Surgical management of gastric gastrointestinal stromal tumor: a single center experience

BACKGROUND/AIM

Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) are the most common mesenchymal tumors of the gastrointestinal tract. Surgery remains the mainstay of curative treatment. Our objective is to evaluate the outcome of surgical treatment of primary gastric GIST.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Between January 1997 and April 2008, thirty seven consecutive patients underwent resection for GISTs (35 patients with primary gastric GISTs and two patients with intestinal GISTs who were excluded from the study). These patients underwent upper endoscopy ± biopsy, barium meal and abdominal CT scan. Patients' demographics and clinical presentations were analyzed. Perioperative parameters measured included operative times, estimated blood loss, intraoperative finding, surgical techniques, morbidity and length of hospitalization. Recurrence and survival were also analyzed.

RESULTS

Of the 35 patients with gastric GISTs included in the study, 63% were female. The median age was 59 ± 14 years (range, 23 to 75 years). The primary presenting symptoms were bleeding and dyspepsia; 43% of these tumors were located mainly in the body of the stomach. Tumor size was < 10 cm in 80% of the patients. The average tumor size was 6.3 ± 3.2 cm (range from 3 to 13 cm). Regarding the surgical management, 20 patients (57%) underwent gastric wedge resection, eight patients (23%) underwent partial gastrectomy and the remaining seven patients (20%) underwent total gastrectomy. Radical resections were found in 32 patients (91.5%) while palliative resections were found in three patients (8.5%). The resected lymph nodes were negative in 32 patients (91.5%). Recurrence was noted in three patients, with a median time to recurrence of 14.3 months (range, 7 to 28 months). The three- and five-years survival in patients who underwent wedge resection was 92% and 81%, respectively, where it was 95% and 87%, respectively, in patients who underwent gastrectomy (either partial or total). There were no major intraoperative complications or mortalities.

CONCLUSION

Complete surgical resection either through wedge resection or gastrectomy with negative margins remains the gold standard treatment in the management of patients with primary resectable gastric GISTs.

Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors with Unusual Localization: Report of Three Cases with a Brief Literature Review

The most common tumors derived from the mesenchyme of the gastrointestinal system are stromal tumors. These tumors are typically seen in the stomach and small intestine and less frequently in the colon, rectum and esophagus and are very rarely located outside the gastrointestinal system. Cure is provided with complete surgical resection with resection borders free of tumor. Tumor size, mitotic index, localization, CD117 and CD34 negativity in immunohistochemical studies, mucosal ulceration and presence of necrosis help to predict recurrence of the illness and patient survival. In high-risk gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) there is an increased rate of recurrence and shortened survival despite complete surgical resection. Thus patients with a high-risk GIST should be given adjuvant therapy with imatinib mesylate. Sunitinib maleate is another FDA-approved agent only for cases who cannot tolerate imatinib or who are resistant to it. Herein we present three cases with GISTs in different locations of the gastrointestinal system with a review of the relevant literature.

Extraluminal laparoscopic wedge resection of gastric submucosal tumors: a retrospective review of 84 cases

BACKGROUND

Laparoscopic resection of gastric stromal tumors is being performed with increased frequency. This study aims to evaluate the feasibility and safety of the extraluminal laparoscopic gastric wedge resection (ELWR) technique.

METHODS

Clinical data of 84 patients who underwent ELWR for gastric submucosal tumors between September 2000 and December 2007 were reviewed and analyzed retrospectively. The operation includes: localization of the tumor, dissection of the omentum, mobilization of the upper stomach and the upper pole of the spleen, exposure of esophago-cardiac junction (ECJ), and wedge resection of the upper part of gastric body and/or the gastric fundus with endoscopic gastrointestinal anastomosis (Endo GIA) stapler.

RESULTS

All of the procedures were performed successfully, with mean operation time of 62.6 +/- 8.9 min and mean intraoperative blood loss of 86.2 +/- 8.1 ml. Through extraluminal laparoscopic wedge resection, complete R0 resection was achieved for all tumors. All surgical margins were negative microscopically. No lesions were missed, nor were there any significant postoperative complications or intraoperative conversions to open surgery. A total of 78.6% of the patients recovered their gastrointestinal functions and began to eat and ambulate within 36 h of the operation. The smallest surgical margins were 0.7-2.5 cm, with a mean distance of 1.4 +/- 0.5 cm. Of the 84 cases of gastric submucosal tumors, 29 cases were leiomyomas, 51 cases were various types of stromal tumors, and 4 other cases were neurofibromas. Mean follow-up duration was 51 +/- 4.3 months (overall follow-up rate 73.8%, 62/84 cases), during which no recurrences or metastases were found.

CONCLUSION

ELWR is a safe, simple, and effective procedure for treating submucosal tumors in the upper part of the stomach. It can avoid intraperitoneal contamination, possible tumor spillage, and postoperative esophageal stenosis, and provides unlimited scope for gastric resection.

Gastrointestinal stromal tumor

Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) are the most common mesenchymal tumors of the gastrointestinal tract. These form a distinct category of tumors characterized by oncogenic mutations of the KIT receptor tyrosine kinase in a majority of patients. KIT is used not only for diagnosis but also for targeted therapy of GISTs. Imatinib, a tyrosine kinase inhibitor, is widely used in the treatment of advanced and metastatic GISTs and has been recently employed in the neo adjuvant and adjuvant set-up with encouraging results. Certain specific mutations in an exon (such as in exon 9) of the KIT gene result in GISTs that are relatively unresponsive to the Imatinib treatment. New therapeutic agents like Sunitinib have now been approved for the treatment of Imatinib-resistant GIST. This review summarizes the salient features of GIST along with a detailed review of targeted multi-disciplinary approach to the treatment of these special tumors.

Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST) and laparoscopic resection

AIM

To review management, outcome and the lessons learnt from a laparoscopic approach to GISTs.

METHOD

All cases of GIST presenting to the upper GI MDT between 2000 and 2006 were reviewed. Presentation, preoperative investigations, management and follow-up were recorded. Surgical resection using a laparoscopic approach, where feasible was the preferred management.

RESULTS

25 consecutive patients that included one oesophageal, three oesophago-gastric, 19 gastric and two smallbowel GISTs were treated between 2000 and 2006. There were 11 male and 14 females with a median age of 68 (25-90) years. Clinical presentation was: gastrointestinal bleed 15, pain 6, dysphagia 2, anaemia 3, weight loss 1, and asymptomatic 2. Out of 25, four were inoperable and treated with imatinib. 17 laparoscopic (including 2 conversions) and four open procedures were performed. Two (both GISTs close to the oesophago-gastric junction) required reoperation due to surgical-related morbidity. Of the 25, five were high-, 11 intermediate- and nine low-risk GISTs. No recurrences in follow-up (median 24, range 6-75) months was observed.

CONCLUSION

GISTs can safely and effectively be treated laparoscopically although larger GISTs in difficult anatomical locations may require open surgery.

Laparoscopic Management of Acutely Presenting Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors: A Study of 9 Cases and Review of Literature

INTRODUCTION

Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) are rare. Nevertheless, some may present with a life-threatening hemorrhage or intestinal obstruction. The aim of this study was to review the various modes of the presentation of GIST, especially hemorrhage and obstruction, and to assess the role of laparoscopic surgery in the management of acute cases and the correlation of such cases with malignant potential.

METHODS

Data were collected from the hospital in the patient records as well as a prospective database. Their presentation, management, histologic features, and follow-up periods were analyzed.

RESULTS

Nine cases of GIST were collected. Five (56%) presented with hemorrhage, 3 (33%) with intestinal obstruction, and 1 (11%) with a tender epigastric mass. Six patients had a gastroscopy procedure, and 6 had a computed tomography scan of the abdomen and pelvis. Five (67%) patients underwent a partial gastrectomy (3 laparoscopic and 2 open procedures), 1 had a laparoscopic localized resection of a gastric GIST, and 3 (33%) had a resection and anastomosis of the bowel. All patients presented acutely, and 78% had emergency surgery performed. The laparoscopic approach was attempted in 6 patients (67%), and was successful in 4 (67%). All patients who had a laparoscopic treatment performed had less pain, a quicker recovery, and a shorter hospital stay, as compared to those patients who had open surgery. Five cases were malignant tumors. Immunohistochemistry revealed a positive c-kit and CD34 for all tumors. The median follow-up was 24 months with one recurrence.

CONCLUSIONS

Our experience showed that GISTs can present acutely and may need immediate surgical intervention. A laparoscopic treatment is safe and practical in experienced hands. Tumor size and hemorrhage at presentation can predict a patient's malignant potential.

Long-term outcome of laparoscopic wedge resection for gastric submucosal tumor compared with open wedge resection

Little is known about the outcomes of laparoscopic wedge resection (LWR) in comparison with conventional open wedge resection (OWR) for gastric submucosal tumor. Outcomes of 21 patients who underwent LWR (n = 14) or OWR (n = 7) for gastric submucosal tumor between 1993 and 2004 were investigated. We compared the short-term and long-term operative results between the 2 groups. LWR showed several advantages over OWR for gastric submucosal tumor: less blood loss, lower fever on day 1, lower analgesic usage rate, earlier first postoperative flatus and oral intake, lower leukocyte count on days 1 and 7, and lower C-reactive protein level on days 1 and 3. All patients, except 2 with histologically diagnosed high-risk gastrointestinal stromal tumor, survived during the mean follow-up period of 60 months. LWR is feasible for the management of patients with gastric submucosal tumor.

Long-term outcomes of laparoscopic resection of gastric gastrointestinal stromal tumors

OBJECTIVE

Gastric gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) are rare neoplasms that require excision for cure. Although the feasibility of minimally invasive resection of gastric GIST has been established, the long-term safety and efficacy of these techniques are unclear. We hypothesized that complete resection of gastric GISTs using a combination of laparoscopic or laparoendoscopic techniques results in low perioperative morbidity and an effective long-term control of the disease.

METHODS

Between August 1996 and June 2005, 50 consecutive patients undergoing laparoscopic or laparoendoscopic resection of gastric GISTs were identified in a prospectively collected database. Outcome measures included patient demographics and outcomes, operative findings, morbidity, and histopathologic characteristics of the tumor. Patient and tumor characteristics were analyzed to identify risk factors for tumor recurrence.

RESULTS

Fifty patients, mean age 60 years (range, 34-84 years), underwent 47 local and 3 segmental laparoscopic gastric resections. GI bleeding and dyspepsia were the most common symptoms. Mean tumor size was 4.4 cm (range, 1.0-8.5 cm) with the majority of the lesions located in the proximal stomach. Mean operative time was 135 minutes (range, 49-295 minutes), the mean blood loss was 85 mL (range, 10-450 mL), and the mean length of hospitalization was 3.8 days (range 1-10 days). There were no major perioperative complications or mortalities. All lesions had negative resection margins (range, 2-45 mm). Nine patients had 10 or more mitotic figures per 50 high power fields, while 11 had ulceration and/or necrosis of the lesion. At a mean follow-up of 36 months, 46 (92%) patients were disease free, 1 patient was alive with disease, 1 patient with metastases died of a cardiac event, and 2 (4%) patients died of metastatic disease. No local or port site recurrences have been identified. Patient age, tumor size, mitotic index, tumor ulceration, and necrosis were statistically associated with tumor recurrence. The presence of 10 or more mitotic figures per 50 high power fields was an independent predictor of disease progression (P = 0.006).

CONCLUSION

A laparoscopic approach to surgical resection of gastric GIST is associated with low morbidity and short hospitalization. As found in historical series of open operative resection, the tumor mitotic index predicts local recurrence. The long-term disease-free survival of 92% in our study establishes laparoscopic resection as safe and effective in treating gastric GISTs. Given these findings as well as the advantages afforded by minimally invasive surgery, a laparoscopic approach may be the preferred resection technique in most patients with small- and medium-sized gastric GISTs.

Endoluminal gastric surgery: the modern era of minimally invasive surgery

Laparoendoluminal techniques are the next frontier in modern surgery. They provide a minimally invasive approach to gastric diseases that enables organ preservation while maintaining open surgical principles. Laparoscopic direct access to the stomach provides a magnified, high-resolution image for precise excision using widely available laparoscopic instrumentation. Further improvements in flexible endoscopic equipment, combined with the infusion of robotic instrumentation, will aid in overcoming the technical demands of this procedure and fuel the growth of endo-luminal gastric surgery. Based on the currently available data, inappropriately selected patients, endoluminal gastric surgery affords the patients a definitive surgical procedure with all the advantages of a minimally invasive approach.

Completely laparoscopic total and partial gastrectomy for benign and malignant diseases: a single institute's prospective analysis

BACKGROUND

Laparoscopic surgery for gastrointestinal benign disease has gained worldwide acceptance; totally laparoscopic surgery for malignant diseases remains controversial. The purposes of this study were to examine prospectively our experience with laparoscopic gastric resections, to evaluate the surgical outcomes, and to discuss the role of these procedures in the treatment of benign and malignant diseases of the stomach. To the best of our knowledge, this is the largest prospective study of totally laparoscopic total and partial gastrectomies in Western countries.

STUDY DESIGN

Thirty-three patients who underwent totally laparoscopic gastric resection between April 1995 and January 2004 were studied prospectively. Eight patients underwent laparoscopic total gastrectomy and 25 patients had laparoscopic partial gastrectomy. There were 21 women and 12 men with a mean age of 71 +/- 10 years.

RESULTS

Twenty-one patients (63.6%) were operated on for malignant diseases and 12 patients (36.4%) had benign lesions. Conversion to laparotomy was not required in any case. Mean operative time was 138 +/- 40 minutes and mean blood loss was 58 +/- 85 mL. There were no major intraoperative complications except for one splenectomy, and there were no perioperative deaths. Two postoperative complications occurred; one patient developed an intraperitoneal abscess with a small duodenal fistula after total gastrectomy and was treated by peritoneal lavage and drain placement. The other patient developed delayed gastric emptying after subtotal gastrectomy and was managed conservatively. Mean ambulation time and mean hospital stay were 2.3 +/- 0.7 days and 14.6 +/- 5 days, respectively. All resected margins were tumor free. The mean number of retrieved lymph nodes for the malignant lesions was 22 +/- 12 (range 10 to 53).

CONCLUSIONS

This prospective trial demonstrated that totally laparoscopic total and partial gastric resections had good results and were feasible and safe procedures. In addition, we concluded that the totally laparoscopic approach for early and advanced gastric cancer can obtain adequate margins and follow oncologic principles.

Development and transferability of a cost-effective laparoscopic camera navigation simulator

BACKGROUND

Laparoscopic camera navigation (LCN) is vital for the successful performance of laparoscopic operations, yet little time is spent on training. This study aimed to develop an inexpensive LCN simulator, to design a structured curriculum, and to determine the transferability of skills acquired.

METHODS

In this study, 0 degrees and 30 degrees LCN simulators were developed for use on a videotrainer platform. Transferability was tested by enrolling 20 medical students in an institutional review board-approved, randomized, controlled, blinded protocol. Subjects viewed a video tutorial and were pretested in LCN on a porcine Nissen model. Procedures were videotaped and the LCN performance was scored by a blinded rater according to the number of standardized verbal cues required and the percentage of time an optimal surgical view (%OSV) was obtained. Procedure time also was recorded. Subjects were stratified and randomized. The trained group practiced on the LCN simulator until competency was demonstrated. The control group received no training. Both groups were posttested on the porcine Nissen model.

RESULTS

The constructed simulators required 35 man hours for development, cost $25 per board for materials, and proved to be durable. The trained group demonstrated significant improvement in verbal cues (p = 0.001), %OSV (p < 0.001), and procedure time (p = 0.001), whereas the control group showed improvement only in verbal cues (p < 0.02). At posttesting, the training group demonstrated significantly better scores for verbal cues (2.1 vs 8.0; p = 0.02) and %OSV (64% vs 45% p = 0.01) than the control group.

CONCLUSION

These data suggest that the LCN simulator is cost effective and provides trainees with skills that translate to the operating room.

Laparoscopic resection of submucosal tumor on posterior wall of gastric fundus

AIM

Laparoscopic resection of tumors on the posterior wall of gastric fundus, especially when they are next to the esophagocardiac junction (ECJ), is both difficult and time-consuming. Furthermore, it can lead to inadvertent esophagus stenosis and injury to the spleen. In order to overcome these difficulties, laparoscopically extraluminal resection of gastric fundus was designed to manage submucosal tumors located on the posterior wall of gastric fundus and next to ECJ.

METHODS

From January 2001 to September 2003, laparoscopically extraluminal resection of gastric fundus was successfully carried out on 15 patients. There were 11 males and 4 females with an average age of 58 years (range, 38 to 78 years). The mean diameter of the tumors was 4.8 cm. The distance of the tumor border from ECJ was about 1.5-2.5 cm. The four-portal operation procedures were as follows: localization of the tumor, dissection of the omentum, mobilization of the gastric fundus and the upper polar of spleen, exposure of ECJ, and resection of the gastric fundus with Endo GIA.

RESULTS

The laparoscopic operation time averaged (66.2+/-10.4) min, the average amount of bleeding was (89.4+/-21.7) mL. The mean post-operative hospital stay was (5.3+/-1.1) d. Within 36 h post-operation, 73.3% of all the patients recovered their gastrointestinal function and began to eat something and to walk. In all the operations, no apparent tumor focus was left and no complication or conversion to open surgery occurred.

CONCLUSION

Our newly designed procedure, laparoscopically extraluminal resection of the gastric fundus, can avoid contamination of the abdominal cavity, injury to the spleen and esophageal stenosis. The procedure seems to be both safe and effective.

Laparoscopic resection of submucosal tumor in gastric fundus

AIM: Laparoscopic resection of the submucosal tumors on the gastric fundus, especially when they are on the posterior wall and next to the esophagocardiac junction (ECJ), is both difficult and time-consuming. Furthermore, it can lead to the inadvertent esophagus stenosis and injury to spleen. In order to solve these problems, wedge gastrectomy was adopted for the submucosal tumor on the anterior wall and the greater curvature of the gastric fundus, and laparoscopically extraluminal resection of the gastric fundus was designed for the submucosal tumor on the posterior wall of the gastric fundus and next to ECJ.

METHODS: Retrospective analysis was made in 32 cases, including 23 male and 9 female with an average age of 55 (range 36-78). Laparoscopic wedge gastrectomy had been carried out in 11 cases of submucosal tumor on the anterior wall of the gastric fundus and 6 on the greater gastric curvature. And laparoscopically extraluminal resection of the gastric fundus had been carried out on 15 cases on the posterior wall.

RESULTS: The mean operative time and intra-operative bleeding and postoperative hospital stay were (56.3±19.4 min), (53.1±30.1 mL), (4.7±0.5 d) respectively. Within 36 hours post-operation, 78.1% of all the patients resumed their gastrointestinal function and began to eat something and ambulated. The pathological diagnosis included mesen-chymoma of low malignancy (3 cases), leiomyoma (21 cases), mesenchymoma (7 cases), and neurofibroma (1 case). All the procedures were completed successfully with no apparent tumor focus left and no complication or conversion to open surgery happened.

CONCLUSION: The adopted and newly designed procedure can avoid the abdominal cavity contamination, the injury to spleen and the esophageal stenosis. And there is no limit to the range of gastric resection. Therefore, the procedure is both safe and effective.

Laparoscopy-assisted D2 subtotal gastrectomy in early gastric cancer

The purpose of this study is to prove the safety and efficacy of laparoscopy-assisted subtotal gastrectomy and D2 lymph node dissection using 4 ports and an EEA stapler with a Billroth I anastomosis. From 1999 to 2001, 20 patients with EGC located in the distal stomach underwent laparoscopy-assisted Billroth I gastrectomy (LABIG). A 4-port-technique was performed for omentectomy, vascular ligation, and D2 lymph node dissection. A mini-incision was created between the two ports in the epigastric area and a gastroduodenal anastomosis with an EEA stapler and a distal resection was performed. The mean operating time was 261.8 (170-410) minutes. There was one postoperative complication without any intraoperative transfusions or perioperative mortality. The number of harvested nodes was 31.9 +/- 11.4. Mean distance from the lesion to the margin of resection was 5.3 +/- 2.2 cm proximally and 4.0 +/- 2.0 cm distally. On average, oral liquids were started at the 4.7th (3rd-8th) postoperative day. LABIG is a safe and effective way of performing D2 gastrectomy in terms of morbidity and oncological principles. A randomized controlled clinical study to compare long-term survival and quality of life is warranted.

Treatment strategy of limited surgery in the treatment guidelines for gastric cancer in Japan

Surgical practice for gastric cancer in Japan is based on the Gastric Cancer Treatment Guidelines issued in 2001 by the Japanese Gastric Cancer Association. These recommendations list options for treatment of each stage of cancer, with clear distinctions between interventions recommended for routine use and those that should be confined to trial settings until further evidence for their curative potential becomes available. In this review, we discuss standard surgery, local resection, segmental resection, and pylorus-preserving gastrectomy (PPG) as examples of limited resection and describe in detail the indications for limited lymph-node dissection in cases of early-stage gastric cancer. At present, evidence does not support the conclusion that limited surgery is effective for local resection or for improving quality of life. Thus, use of limited surgery should be considered an experimental approach both in Japan and the West. We conclude that surgeons who are familiar with the criteria for selecting surgical procedures should decide on a case-by-case basis which technique is most appropriate. Choices should be made with consideration of the stage of the cancer, invasiveness of the surgical procedure, and the patient's history. For all procedures, the patient must give informed consent and the surgeons must accurately assess the success of the operation after surgery.

Laparoscopic vs open resection of gastric stromal tumors

BACKGROUND

Gastric stromal tumors are rare neoplasms that may be benign or malignant. Given that malignant gastric stromal tumors rarely involve lymph nodes and require excision with negative margins, they appear amendable to laparoscopic excision. There are few reports of laparoscopic resection, and no comparisons have been done between laparoscopic and open surgery. This study compares the relative efficacy of the two approaches.

METHODS

Between May 1994 and December 2000, 33 patients underwent 35 operations for gastric stromal tumors. Laparoscopic resections were performed in 21 patients; open resections were done in 12 patients. The medical records of the patients were reviewed retrospectively with regard to operating time, blood loss, length of stay, and clinical course.

RESULTS

Patient demographics, tumor characteristics (mean tumor size, benign vs malignant), and presenting symptoms were similar for both groups. In the laparoscopic group, 15 wedge resections; three partial gastrectomies, and three transgastric needlescopic enucleations were performed. In the open group, six wedge resections, four antrectomies, and two partial proximal gastrectomies were performed. There were no significant differences in mean operative time (169 vs 160 min), mean estimated blood loss (106 vs 129 cc), or perioperative complication rate (9.5% vs 8.3%) between the laparoscopic and open groups, respectively. The mean length of stay was significantly less (p<0.05) in the laparoscopic group (3.8 vs 6.2 days). Average follow-up was 1.5 years. One patient in each group has died due to metastatic disease. There have been no trocar site recurrences.

CONCLUSIONS

Laparoscopic resection of gastric stromal tumors is safe and appropriate. Tumor size, operating time, and estimated blood loss were equivalent to the open approach, and there was a statistically shorter hospital stay in the laparoscopic group.

Role of video-laparoscopy in the staging of intra-abdominal lymphomas and gastrointestinal cancer

There is good category II/III evidence that video-laparoscopic staging is valuable in certain gastrointestinal (gastric, esophageal, pancreatic, and hepatobiliary) and intra-abdominal lymphomas, but no category I evidence (based on prospective randomized trials). The evidence available is all retrospective, but of sufficient consistency to indicate that laparoscopic staging adds to the primary (imaging) staging and often alters the clinical stage of the disease and hence the management of the individual patient. The advent of laparoscopic contact ultrasound (LCU) scanning has improved the staging accuracy for pancreatic and hepatobiliary neoplasms. The laparoscopic approach also offers a means of surgical palliation in certain patient groups. However, there are a number of unresolved issues concerning the use of video-laparoscopy. The most important concerns whether staging laparoscopy should be performed immediately before scheduled surgery or as a separate intervention. The cost-efficacy of these two management options needs to be evaluated in prospective studies. In some centres, laparoscopic staging is being conducted by gastroenterologists and hepatologists. This raises issues of safety and ability to undertake certain procedures that may be necessary during the laparoscopic staging.