Laparoscopic wedge resection of a midsized gastrointestinal stromal tumor near the esophagogastric junction.
BACKGROUND
Gastrointestinal stromal tumors are rare neoplasms involving the entire digestive system, in particular the stomach. Generally, laparoscopic wedge resection is the preferred means of treating anterior lesions, while the preferred means of treating tumors in the posterior wall and near the esophagogastric junction remains controversial.


METHODS
We report the case of a patient with a gastric stromal tumor in the posterior wall of the greater curvature approximately 3 cm from the esophagogastric junction. Under intraoperative ultrasonic guidance, a large wedge resection was done using an ultrasonic scalpel; the gastric wall was reconstructed through a long intracorporeal suture. At 6-month follow-up, the patient was free from tumor recurrence.


CONCLUSIONS
If a meticulous surgical technique is followed, laparoscopic wedge resection is a safe and feasible means of treating gastric stromal tumors in the posterior wall near the esophagogastric junction.
Department of Surgery, University of Milan, Fondazione IRCCS, Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Mangiagalli e Regina Elena, Via F. Sforza 35, Milan, Italy. ugo.cioffi@unimi.it
Ugo
U
Cioffi
Matilde
M
De Simone
Paolo Pietro
PP
Bianchi
Matteo
M
Rottoli
Marco
M
Montorsi
D000368:Aged; D004943:Esophagogastric Junction / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D046152:Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D014463:Ultrasonography