Impact of splenectomy for lymph node dissection on long-term surgical outcome in gastric cancer.
BACKGROUND
In the treatment of gastric cancer, splenectomy is performed for effective lymph node dissection around the splenic artery and splenic hilum. The purpose of this study was to clarify the long-term outcome of splenectomy in the treatment of gastric cancer.


METHODS
The effect of splenectomy on recurrence and prognosis was examined in a retrospective analysis of 665 patients who had undergone curative total gastrectomy for gastric carcinoma from 1987 to 1996. The risk factors associated with recurrence and prognosis were investigated by univariate and multivariate analysis.


RESULTS
The splenectomy group showed more advanced lesions and a higher recurrence rate than the spleen-preserved group. However, after adjusting for the TNM (tumor, node, metastasis) stage, there was no significant difference in recurrence rate and pattern between the two groups. Logistic regression analysis revealed that gross type, serosal invasion, and nodal metastasis were independent risk factors for recurrence while splenectomy was not. When comparing patients with the same TNM (tumor, node, metastasis) stages, no significant difference in the 5-year survival rates was apparent. Multivariate analysis demonstrated that age, serosal invasion, and nodal metastasis were independent prognostic factors whereas splenectomy was not.


CONCLUSIONS
These data suggest that splenectomy for lymph node dissection in gastric cancer is not effective regarding long-term patient prognosis.
Lee
K Y
KY
Department of Surgery, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
Noh
S H
SH
Hyung
W J
WJ
Lee
J H
JH
Lah
K H
KH
Choi
S H
SH
Min
J S
JS
D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008197:Lymph Node Excision; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000473:pathology; D012307:Risk Factors; D013156:Splenectomy; D013274:Stomach Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D015996:Survival Rate; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome