Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) of the stomach: a multicenter, retrospective study of curatively resected gastric GISTs

Combined application of the preclosure technique and traction approach facilitates endoscopic full-thickness resection of gastric submucosal tumors

BACKGROUND

Gastrointestinal submucosal tumors (SMTs) mostly grew in the lumen, but also some of the lesions were extraluminal, in which the stomach was the most common site. Gastrointestinal stromal tumor account for a large proportion of SMT. Due to the deep lesion location of gastric SMT, endoscopic submucosal dissection related techniques are difficult to operate, while endoscopic full-thickness resection (EFTR) has been widely used in clinical practice because it is less invasive and can preserve the physiological structure and function of the stomach. However, complete closure of the gastrectomy site after EFTR is critical. If the closure is incomplete, it may cause peritonitis, late perforation and other conditions, and even require further surgical intervention. Although there are currently a number of suture devices and techniques that can be used to promote closure, they have the problem of requiring additional equipment or being inconvenient to use. Although metal clips are widely used, their effectiveness depends on the size and tension of the defect. Therefore, an effective and convenient endoscopic closure technique is urgently needed to solve the closure problem of gastric SMTs after treatment.

AIM

To investigate the effect of combined application of the preclosure technique and dental floss traction in gastric wound closure following EFTR.

METHODS

In this study, the data of 94 patients treated for gastric SMTs at the Gastrointestinal Endoscopy Center of the Affiliated Union Hospital of Fujian Medical University from April 2022 to May 2023 were retrospectively analyzed. The patients were divided into a preclosure group (54 patients) and a non-preclosure group (40 patients) on the basis of the timing of wound closure with titanium clips after dental floss traction-assisted EFTR. Each patient in the preclosure group had their wounds preclosed with titanium clips after subtotal lesion resection, whereas each patient in the non-preclosure group had their wounds closed with titanium clips after total lesion resection. The lesion size, wound closure time, number of titanium clips used, incidence of postoperative complications, and postoperative hospitalization time were compared between the two groups.

RESULTS

The wound closure time was significantly shorter in the preclosure group than in the non-preclosure group (6.69 ± 2.109 minutes vs 11.65 ± 3.786 minutes, P < 0.001). The number of titanium clips used was significantly lower in the preclosure group (8.93 ± 2.231) than in the non-preclosure group (12.05 ± 4.495) (P < 0.001). There was no significant difference between the two groups in terms of the need for an indwelling gastric tube or the length of postoperative hospital stay (6.41 ± 1.31 vs 6.13 ± 1.06 days). For all patients in the preclosure group and the non-preclosure group, resection was completed successfully without bleeding, abdominal pain, abdominal distension, or other postoperative complications.

CONCLUSION

Application of the preclosure technique combined with dental floss traction can be used intraoperatively to effectively close the surgical wound in patients undergoing EFTR, reliably preventing the tumor from falling into the peritoneal cavity.

Understanding Gastric GIST: From Pathophysiology to Personalized Treatment

Background: Gastric gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) represent a subset of gastrointestinal tumors predominantly found in the stomach. Despite their rarity, these tumors carry significant implications for patient health and management. GISTs are potentially malignant tumors with unpredictable progression. They originate from the interstitial cells of Cajal, which are positioned between the intramural neurons and the smooth muscle cells of the digestive tract. These tumors are characterized primarily by mutations in the c-Kit gene, as well as other mutations such as those in the platelet-derived growth factor receptor alpha (PDGFRA) gene. Methods: Our comprehensive search across five databases initially yielded 2976 articles. After eliminating 197 duplicates, we screened the titles and abstracts of 2779 articles, excluding 2692 for not meeting the inclusion criteria. During the full-text screening, 16 more articles were excluded. Ultimately, 71 papers met the inclusion criteria and were included in our analysis. Results: Due to differences in study designs, inclusion criteria for patients, and reported outcomes, a meta-analysis was not conducted. The accurate diagnosis of GIST is established through histopathological examination and immunohistochemistry. Histopathologically, GISTs are classified into three main types: spindle cell, epithelioid, and mixed. The therapeutic management of GIST involves surgery, endoscopic treatment, and chemotherapy. Conclusions: The prognosis for GIST patients depends on various factors, including risk category, disease stage, applied treatments, and recurrence post-treatment. A significant recent advancement comes from artificial intelligence, which can be increasingly involved in both the diagnosis and treatment of this tumor.

Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors: A Retrospective Study at a Tertiary Care Center in Saudi Arabia in the Last Decade

INTRODUCTION

Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) are a significant subset of mesenchymal tumors primarily found in the gastrointestinal tract, impacting diagnostic and therapeutic approaches. Understanding their epidemiology is crucial for improving patient care and advancing treatment strategies.

METHODOLOGY

Our study at a Saudi tertiary hospital analyzed 50 patients with GIST, focusing on demographics, tumor locations, and risk assessments. We examined predictors of tumor size, including mitosis frequency, and assessed the impact of anatomical location and risk on clinical outcomes using RStudio software (Posit, Boston, MA).

RESULTS

Among 50 patients with GIST, 36 (72.0%) were male with a median age of 60.5 years, and most tumors (33, 66.0%) were in the stomach. Risk assessments categorized tumors as follows: 20 (40.0%) low risk, 12 (24.0%) high risk, 7 (14.0%) moderate risk, 7 (14.0%) very low risk, and 4 (8.0%) no risk. Most tumors were low-grade (41, 82.0%) and nonmetastatic (47, 94.0%), predominantly spindle cell type (37, 74.0%). Tumor size varied significantly across risk categories: high-risk tumors averaged 10.3 cm versus 0.5 cm for no risk and 3.5 cm for very low risk (P < 0.001). Mitosis frequency differed significantly by risk category and tumor grade (P < 0.001). Tumor grade varied notably with risk categories and morphologic types, especially high-grade tumors in high-risk groups (8, 66.7%) and epithelioid tumors (2, 100%). Multivariable analysis identified predictors of tumor size: anatomical location (extra-GI, intra-abdominal; beta = 7.08, P = 0.011) and risk assessment (low risk, beta = 6.91, P = 0.001; moderate risk, beta = 11.2, P < 0.001; high risk, beta = 8.93, P < 0.001). Liver metastasis did not differ significantly across gender, anatomical location, risk assessment, or tumor grade.

CONCLUSIONS

In Saudi Arabia, GISTs predominantly affect males and are primarily located in the stomach. Our findings highlight significant variations in tumor size and grade based on risk assessments and anatomical location. Most GISTs were low-grade, nonmetastatic, and spindle cell type, emphasizing the need for enhanced research to improve diagnostics, tailor treatments, and optimize outcomes in the region.

Correlation Between Tumor Volume and Hemoglobin Level in Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumor

INTRODUCTION

Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST) are the most common mesenchymal tumors. Anemia is a common finding in GIST, but the relationship between tumor volume and anemia severity is not well established.

METHODS

This study aimed to investigate the correlation between the severity of anemia and various factors, mainly tumor volume, in GIST patients who underwent surgical resection. The study included 20 patients with GIST who underwent surgical resection at a tertiary care center. Demographic data, clinical presentation, hemoglobin level, radiological findings, surgical procedure, tumor characteristics, pathological findings, and immunohistochemical analysis were recorded. The tumor volume was calculated from the final resected tumor dimensions.

RESULTS

The mean age of the patients was 53.8 ± 12 years. Eleven were males, and nine were females. The most common presentation was upper gastrointestinal bleeding (50%), followed by pain in the abdomen (35%). The most common tumor location was the stomach (75%). The mean hemoglobin level was 10.29 ± 1.9 g/dL. The mean tumor volume was 470.8 ± 1269.07 cc. R0 resection was achieved in 18 (90%) patients. There was no significant correlation between tumor volume and hemoglobin level (r=0.227, p=0.358).

CONCLUSION

This study found no significant correlation between tumor volume and the severity of anemia in patients with GIST. Further studies with larger sample sizes are needed to validate these findings.

A scoring system to predict surgical difficulty in minimally invasive surgery for gastric submucosal tumors

BACKGROUND

Various minimally invasive surgery (MIS) procedures are used for gastric submucosal tumors (SMTs), and their technical difficulties vary. Preoperative understanding of difficulties is crucial; however, objective indicators are lacking.

METHODS

Gastric SMTs requiring MIS (n = 36) were retrospectively analyzed. Preoperative factors were evaluated using a multivariate linear regression analysis. A scoring system was then constructed, and its feasibility was evaluated.

RESULTS

Three factors were identified and scored based on the weighted contribution for predicting surgical time: tumor location (cardia, score of "2"; posterior wall of fundus, "1"); tumor size (greater than 4 cm, "1"); and tumor growth appearance (intraluminal, "1"). The summed scores could stratify the surgical time stepwise in each score, and patients who scored higher than 3 had larger intraoperative blood loss and a longer hospital stay.

CONCLUSION

Our scoring system predicted surgical difficulties and may, therefore, be useful in selecting appropriate surgical approaches for gastric SMTs.

Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors: Alexandria University Experience

Introduction Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) are the most common mesenchymal tumors of the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) that can arise in any parts of the GIT. The clinical behavior and prognosis of GISTs remain unpredictable. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the clinicopathological features and prognostic factors of GISTs.

Methods The medical files of 93 patients with nonmetastatic GIST presented to our hospital were reviewed. The clinical and pathological parameters, treatment, and follow-up data were collected and correlated to survival outcome using univariate and multivariate analyses.

Results The median age of patients was 48.9 years with a slight male predominance. Abdominal pain (39.8%) was the commonly presenting symptom. About 60% of GISTs originated from the stomach and 22% from the small intestine. Tumors stained positive for CD117 in 95.7%. The median diameter of the tumors was 7 cm. Mitotic counts were < 5/50 high power field in 55.9% of tumors. About 44% of patients had high risk tumors. All patients underwent surgery and about 60.2% of patients received adjuvant imatinib mesylate.

The 5-year disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) were 74.5 and 80%, respectively. Margin status, tumor site, tumor size, mitotic counts, and risk score were significantly associated with DFS and OS in both univariate and multivariate analyses.

Conclusion Surgery is the mainstay treatment for nonmetastatic GISTs. Tumor size, tumor location, margin status, mitotic count, and risk score were predictive factors for DFS and OS of GISTs.

Gastric gastrointestinal stromal tumors. Is there a necessity to use imatinib in the intermediate-risk group?

BACKGROUND

A gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) is a tumor that occurs in the gastrointestinal tract, most frequently in the stomach or small intestine. This study aimed to reveal the clinical, histopathological, and immunohistochemical features of patients with GIST and to determine the effect of adjuvant tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) use on survival rates in intermediate-risk gastric GIST cases.

METHODS

Clinical characteristics, histopathological findings, and oncological outcomes of 51 patients operated on for gastric GIST between 2010 and 2019 were analyzed retrospectively. Patients treated with neoadjuvant and adjuvant TKI were identified. The effect of adjuvant therapy on survival in the intermediate-risk group was examined.

RESULTS

There were 33 females and 18 males, with a mean age of 64.9 ± 12.8 years. The most common surgical procedure was gastric wedge resection. Three cases were treated with laparoscopy, and 48 underwent open surgery. A multi-visceral resection was carried out in three cases. All cases underwent R0 resection. In the intermediate-risk group, there were no statistical differences between individuals receiving adjuvant therapy (n =12) and those not receiving adjuvant therapy (n =6) regarding survival rates (p =0.157). The average follow-up period was 54.9 (min: 2 - max: 106) months. Over this period, in three and five patients, recurrence and metastases occurred, respectively, and seven patients succumbed to the disease. Disease-free survival for five years was 93.7 %, metastasis-free survival was 83.4 %, and overall survival was 86.7 %. HIPPOKRATIA 2021, 25 (3):113-118.

CONCLUSIONS

This study showed that adjuvant TKI therapy did not affect survival rates in intermediate-risk gastric GIST.

Giant gastrointestinal stromal tumor of the mediastinum associated with an esophageal hiatal hernia and chest discomfort: a case report

Background

Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) grow relatively slowly and without specific symptoms; therefore, they are typically incidental findings. We report a rare gastric GIST in the mediastinum associated with chest discomfort and an esophageal hiatal hernia.

Case presentation

An 81-year-old woman with chest discomfort was admitted to the hospital, where barium esophagography showed a sliding esophageal hiatal hernia and a tumor of the lower esophagus and gastric wall. Esophagogastroscopy confirmed the presence of a huge submucosal tumor that extended from the lower esophagus to the gastric fundus. According to computed tomography, the mediastinal mass measured 12.7 cm and had heterogeneous low-density areas. A submucosal gastric tumor, which we suspected to be a GIST, was diagnosed in association with an esophageal hiatal hernia. Using thoracolaparotomy, we performed a total gastrectomy, a lower esophagectomy, and a Roux-en-Y reconstruction with the jejunum. The presumptive diagnosis was confirmed through immunohistochemical examination; immunostaining yielded results positive for CD34 and c-kit. The patient was discharged from the hospital 13 days after surgery with no complications and remained disease-free at follow-up 24 months after surgery.

Conclusions

GIST should be considered in the differential diagnosis of tumors growing in the mediastinum.

Importance of Early Diagnosis of Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors of the Stomach: Our 5-Year, Single-Center Experience

Objective:

The aim of this study was to investigate clinicopathologic characteristics, diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis of patients who underwent surgery with a diagnosis of a gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) of the stomach.

Methods:

In this single center study, the data of a total of 42 patients diagnosed with a GIST of the stomach in our center between 2010 and 2015 were retrospectively analyzed. The mean age was 60.6 years, with a male-to-female ratio of 1.47/1. Patients presented with various complaints (21 patients had stomach pain,14 patients were asymptomatic, 3 patients had hemorrhage, 2 patients had heartburn and acidity,1 patient had intumescence,1 patient had nausea and vomiting), and all patients underwent surgery. The initial diagnosis was made with endoscopy in 19 patients, with computed tomography in 21 patients, and with magnetic resonance imaging in 2 patients. Local excision or wedge resection was performed in 27 patients, whereas subtotal gastrectomy was performed in 15 patients.

Results:

The mean tumor diameter was 5.66 cm. Pathologically, 25 patients had very low, 5 patients had low, 6 patients had moderate, and 6 patients had high-grade malignancy. The patients with moderate- to high-grade malignancy received imatinib. Liver metastasis occurred in 2 patients. The mean follow-up was 33 months. The mean disease-free survival time was 31.72 months, and the mean disease-specific (n = 2) survival time was 31.25 months. All patients including metastatic ones were still alive.

Conclusions:

Our study results show that frequent use of imaging studies and increased use of endoscopic scans for various reasons may increase the rate of incidentally detected gastric stromal tumors. High rates of disease-free survival can be achieved in GIST patients who are in the low-risk group due to the early diagnosis.

Tumor rupture of gastric gastrointestinal stromal tumors during endoscopic resection: a risk factor for peritoneal metastasis?

BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIMS

 Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) are the most common mesenchymal tumors in the gastrointestinal tract. Up to the present time, complete surgical excision has been the standard treatment for primary GISTs greater than 2 cm. It is well known that tumor rupture during surgery is an independent risk factor for peritoneal metastasis; however, it is not known whether the risk of peritoneal metastasis increases in cases where the tumor is ruptured during endoscopic resection.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

 A total of 195 patients treated for GIST between January 2014 and December 2016 in our hospital were enrolled in this study. They were divided into two groups according to whether the tumor was ruptured during endoscopic resection. The rate of peritoneal metastasis in patients in the two groups who also suffered perforation was investigated from the follow-up results.

RESULTS

 Approximately 55.4 % of all patients were female and the average age of the study group was 59.0 ± 10.3 years. Of the 195 patients, the tumors in 27 were ruptured and the remaining 168 patients underwent en bloc resection. There was no statistically significant difference in gender or age between the two groups. The median tumor size (maximum diameter) in all patients was 1.5 cm (0.3 - 5.0 cm): 2.5 cm (0.8 - 5.0 cm) and 1.4 cm (0.3 - 4.0 cm) in the tumor rupture group and en bloc resection group, respectively ( P  < 0.001). Most of the tumors were located in the gastric fundus. At a median follow-up of 18.7 ± 10.2 months, neither tumor recurrence (liver metastasis, peritoneal metastasis, local recurrence) nor mortality related to GISTs were detected.

CONCLUSIONS

 Tumor rupture during endoscopic resection of gastric GISTs may not be a risk factor for peritoneal metastasis.

Minimally invasive surgery for gastric gastrointestinal stromal tumors

Minimally invasive surgery has been increasingly performed for gastric gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST). In this review we discuss and summarize the current evidence on minimally invasive surgery for gastric GISTs. Laparoscopic resection for gastric GIST has been consistently shown to be associated with superior perioperative outcomes with no compromise in oncological outcomes when compared to open resection in numerous retrospective case-control studies. It has also been shown to be safe and feasible for large tumors or tumors located in unfavorable sites. However, to date, there remains a lack of level 1 evidence from prospective randomized control trials in support of laparoscopic resection.

Surgical treatment of gastrointestinal stromal tumors of the stomach: current status and future perspective

Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) are the most common mesenchymal tumors of the gastrointestinal tract, with the majority found in the stomach. Surgical resection of the primary gastric GISTs with complete resection margin has been the forefront of curative treatment. The indications for surgical resection are usually related to symptomatic gastric GISTs at presentation. Primary gastric GISTs resection performed conventionally through an open surgery can now be frequently achieved by minimal invasive surgery with similar oncological outcome. Surgeon's selection of the type of surgical techniques such as open, laparoscopic and endoscopic resections depends on the site, size and local invasion of gastric GISTs to the adjacent organ. Similarly those factors dictate the extent of gastric resections in the form of wedge, partial or total gastrectomy. All these inherent tumor factors (size and mitotic index), patient factors (older age, male) and surgical factors (incomplete resection margin, tumor rupture or spillage) play an important role in stratifying the malignant potential risk of primary gastric GISTs and their chances of recurrence. The understanding of gene mutation driving the growth of GISTs and the discovery of tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) has altered the surgical management of advanced and metastatic GISTs. Multi-modal therapy incorporating the surgical resection of GISTs and utilizing the molecular targeted therapy in the adjuvant, neoadjuvant and palliative settings can offer optimal personalized outcome and prolong patient's overall survival (OS).

Two staging systems for gastrointestinal stromal tumors in the stomach: which is better?

BACKGROUND

The prognosis of a gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) is influenced by its anatomic site; however, few studies on the prognosis of gastric GISTs have been reported. The aims of this study were to evaluate long-term prognoses of patients who underwent surgical resection for gastric GISTs and to compare the clinical efficacy of two staging systems: the National Institutes of Health (NIH) consensus criteria and the 7th Union for International Cancer Control/American Joint Committee on Cancer (UICC/AJCC) tumor-node-metastasis (TNM) staging system.

METHODS

We conducted a retrospective observational study of 145 patients who underwent surgical resection for gastric GISTs between February 2001 and June 2012 at Pusan National University Hospital (Busan, Korea). Recurrence and 5-year recurrence-free survival (RFS) rates were analyzed.

RESULTS

During a median follow-up period of 44 months (range, 6-144 months), 11 recurrent lesions were detected in 9 patients (6.4%). On multivariate analysis, tumor size (>5 cm), mitotic count (>5/50 high-power fields), and epithelioid and mixed pathological type were significantly associated with recurrence. The overall 5-year RFS rate was 93.4%. Although no statistically significant differences were detected (C-statistic difference P = 0.886), all metrics showed lower values for the UICC/AJCC TNM staging system than for the NIH consensus criteria, suggesting that the UICC/AJCC TNM staging system may be a better model.

CONCLUSIONS

The 5-year RFS rate in patients who underwent curative resection for gastric GISTs was excellent. The UICC/AJCC TNM staging system may be more useful than the NIH consensus criteria for risk categorization of patients with gastric GISTs.

Laparoscopic management of gastric gastrointestinal stromal tumors: A retrospective 10-year single-center experience

AIM

To determine the feasibility, safety, and oncological outcome of laparoscopic resection of gastric gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) based on favorable or unfavorable location.

METHODS

Our hospital database included 207 patients who underwent laparoscopic removal of gastric GISTs from January 2004 to September 2015. Patient demographics, clinical presentation, surgery, histopathology, postoperative course, and oncological outcomes were reviewed and analyzed.

RESULTS

Gastric GIST in favorable locations was present in 81/207 (39.1%) cases, and in unfavorable locations in 126/207 (60.9%) cases. Overall mean tumor size was 3.28 ± 1.82 cm. No conversions occurred, and complete R0 resection was achieved in 207 (100%) cases. There were three incidences of iatrogenic tumor rupture. The feasibility and safety of laparoscopic surgery were comparable in both groups with no statistical difference between unfavorable and favorable location groups, respectively: for operative time: 83.86 ± 44.41 vs 80.77 ± 36.46 min, P = 0.627; conversion rate: 0% vs 0%; estimated blood loss: 27.74 ± 45.2 vs 29.59 ± 41.18 mL, P = 0.780; tumor rupture during surgery: 0.90% vs 2.82%, P = 0.322; or postoperative complications: 3.74% vs 7.04%, P = 0.325. The follow-up period recurrence rate was 1.89% with no significant differences between the two groups (3.03% vs 0%, P = 0.447). Overall 5-year survival rate was 98.76% and survival rates were similar between the two groups: 98.99% vs 98.39%, P = 0.623 (unfavorable vs favorable, respectively).

CONCLUSION

The laparoscopic approach for gastric GISTs is safe and feasible with well-accepted oncological surgical outcomes. Strategies for laparoscopic resection should be selected according to the location and size of the tumor. Laparoscopic treatment of gastric GISTs in unfavorable locations should not be restricted in gastrointestinal centers.

Meta-analysis of laparoscopic vs. open resection of gastric gastrointestinal stromal tumors

Background

This meta-analysis compared laparoscopic surgery (LAP) and open resection (OPEN) for the treatment of gastric gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) with regard to feasibility and safety.

Methods

We searched PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science for studies published before March 2016 comparing the LAP and OPEN procedures for GISTs. RevMan 5.1 software was used for the meta-analysis.

Results

In total, 28 studies met the inclusion criteria for the meta-analysis. The mean tumor sizes in the OPEN and LAP groups were 4.54 and 5.67 cm. Compared with the OPEN patients, the LAP patients experienced shorter surgical times (P = 0.05), less blood loss (P<0.01), earlier time to flatus (P<0.01) and an oral diet (P<0.01), and shorter hospital stays (P<0.01). The LAP patients also exhibited a decrease in overall complications (P<0.01). In addition, regarding the subgroup of larger GISTs (>5 cm), the present study did not report significant differences in operation time (P = 0.93), postoperative complications (P = 0.30), or recurrence rate (P = 0.61) between the two groups, though LAP was associated with favorable results regarding blood loss (P = 0.03) and hospital stay (P<0.01).

Conclusions

Compared with the OPEN procedure, the LAP procedure is associated with preferable short-term postoperative outcomes and does not compromise long-term oncological outcomes. For gastric GISTs >5 cm, no significant difference was detected between LAP and OPEN if patient selection and intraoperative decisions were carefully considered.

Laparoscopic surgery versus open resection in patients with gastrointestinal stromal tumors: An updated systematic review and meta-analysis

PURPOSES

The contemporary surgery has reported the safety of laparoscopic surgery (LAP) for patients with gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs). However, its use is still debated due to suspicion of the oncologic equivalence to open surgery (OPEN). We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of updated original articles to investigate the short- and long-term clinical outcomes of LAP compared with OPEN for GISTs.

METHODS

A systematic search was performed in PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Cochrane Library and CNKI. Comparative studies of laparoscopic and open surgery for GISTs were published before November 2016. The Newcastle-Ottawa scale was utilized to conduct quality assessment. The Review Manager (RevMan) software version 5.0 was used for meta-analysis.

RESULTS

Twenty-four studies involving 2140 patients were included for the meta-analysis. The meta-analysis results showed that, compared with OPEN, LAP indicated potentially favorable outcomes in terms of operative time (WMD, -30.71; 95% CI, -58.48 to -2.95; P = 0.03); intraoperative blood loss (WMD, -60.90; 95% CI, -91.53 to -30.28; P < 0.0001); time to flatus (WMD, -1.10; 95% CI, -1.41 to -0.79; P < 0.00001); time to oral intake (WMD, -1.25; 95% CI, -1.64 to -0.86; P < 0.00001); length of hospital stay (WMD, -3.42; 95% CI, -4.37 to -2.46; P < 0.00001); overall complications (OR, 0.38; 95% CI, 0.27 to 0.54; P < 0.00001); and recurrence (OR, 0.45; 95% CI, 0.30 to 0.66; P < 0.0001).

CONCLUSIONS

Laparoscopic surgery is safe and feasible for the treatment of GISTs including less operative time and intraoperative blood loss, earlier postoperative recovery, shorter hospital stay, and lower rate of overall complications and recurrence.

Laparoscopic Versus Open Surgery for Gastric Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors: What Is the Impact on Postoperative Outcome and Oncologic Results?

OBJECTIVES

The aim of the study was to compare the postoperative and oncologic outcomes of laparoscopic versus open surgery for gastric gastrointestinal stromal tumors (gGISTs).

BACKGROUND

The feasibility of the laparoscopic approach for gGIST resection has been demonstrated; however, its impact on outcomes, particularly its oncologic safety for tumors greater than 5 cm, remains unknown.

METHODS

Among 1413 patients treated for a GIST in 61 European centers between 2001 and 2013, patients who underwent primary resection for a gGIST smaller than 20 cm (N = 666), by either laparoscopy (group L, n = 282) or open surgery (group O, n = 384), were compared. Multivariable analyses and propensity score matching were used to compensate for differences in baseline characteristics.

RESULTS

In-hospital mortality and morbidity rates in groups L and O were 0.4% versus 2.1% (P = 0.086) and 11.3% vs 19.5% (P = 0.004), respectively. Laparoscopic resection was independently protective against in-hospital morbidity (odds ratio 0.54, P = 0.014). The rate of R0 resection was 95.7% in group L and 92.7% in group O (P = 0.103). After 1:1 propensity score matching (n = 224), the groups were comparable according to age, sex, tumor location and size, mitotic index, American Society of Anesthesiology score, and the extent of surgical resection. After adjustment for BMI, overall morbidity (10.3% vs 19.6%; P = 0.005), surgical morbidity (4.9% vs 9.8%; P = 0.048), and medical morbidity (6.2% vs 13.4%; P = 0.01) were significantly lower in group L. Five-year recurrence-free survival was significantly better in group L (91.7% vs 85.2%; P = 0.011). In tumors greater than 5 cm, in-hospital morbidity and 5-year recurrence-free survival were similar between the groups (P = 0.255 and P = 0.423, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

Laparoscopic resection for gGISTs is associated with favorable short-term outcomes without compromising oncologic results.

Clinical Control Study of Endoscopic Full-thickness Resection and Laparoscopic Surgery in the Treatment of Gastric Tumors Arising from the Muscularis Propria

BACKGROUND

Gastric stromal tumors arising from the muscularis propria are located in deeper layers. Endoscopic resection may be contraindicated due to the possibility of perforation. These tumors are therefore usually removed by surgical or laparoscopic procedures. This study evaluated the curative effects, safety and feasibility of endoscopic full-thickness resection (EFR) of gastric stromal tumors originating from the muscularis propria.

METHODS

This study enrolled 92 patients with gastric stromal tumors >2.5 cm originating from the muscularis propria. Fifty patients underwent EFR, and 42 underwent laparoscopic intragastric surgery. Operation time, complete resection rate, length of hospital stay, incidence of complications, and recurrence rates were compared in these two groups.

RESULTS

EFR resulted in complete resection of all 50 gastric stromal tumors, with a mean procedure time of 85 ± 20 min, a mean hospitalization time of 7.0 ± 1.5 days and no complications. Laparoscopic intragastric surgery also resulted in a 100% complete resection rate, with a mean operation time of 88 ± 12 min and a mean hospitalization period of 7.5 ± 1.6 days. The two groups did not differ significantly in operation time, complete resection rates, hospital stay or incidence of complications (P > 0.05). No patient in either group experienced tumor recurrence.

CONCLUSIONS

EFR technique is effective and safe for the resection of gastric stromal tumors arising from the muscularis propria.