Laparoscopic distal gastrectomy with regional lymph node dissection for gastric cancer.
BACKGROUND
Recent advances in surgical techniques have led to widespread acceptance of laparoscopic gastrectomy for gastric cancer. We performed distal gastrectomy with regional lymph node dissection in 235 patients with gastric cancer located in the middle and lower third of the stomach.


METHODS
In 171 cases, reconstruction was done using the Billroth I method intracorporeally and the aid of laparoscopic linear stapling devices. The Billroth II and Roux-en-Y methods were used in the remaining 56 and eight patients, respectively,


RESULTS
Patients who underwent laparoscopic distal gastrectomy had a more rapid postoperative recovery than those treated via the open approach. Postoperative complications with this technique were within a permissible range. In terms of the survival curve, there was no statistical difference between the laparoscopic group diagnosed as clinical T2N0 (c T2N0) Preoperatively and the open group.


CONCLUSIONS
The laparoscopic technique is not only less invasive, but is also similarly safe and curative compared to open gastrectomy.
Tanimura
S
S
Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Osaka City General Hospital, 2-13-22, Miyakojimahondori Miyakojima-ku, Osaka, 534-0021 Japan. Stoghjpn@aol.com
Higashino
M
M
Fukunaga
Y
Y
Kishida
S
S
Nishikawa
M
M
Ogata
A
A
Osugi
H
H
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D005743:Gastrectomy / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy; D008197:Lymph Node Excision / Q000379:methods*; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013274:Stomach Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*