title: Feasibility of laparoscopic gastrectomy with radical lymph node dissection for gastric cancer: from a viewpoint of pancreas-related complications.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  There is little evidence for the technical feasibility of laparoscopic gastrectomy (LG) with peripancreatic lymphadenectomy in terms of postoperative complications. To evaluate the technical feasibility of LG with radical lymphadenectomy, we focused on pancreas-related complications in LG and open gastrectomy (OG), and then investigated whether such complications increased in LG.
  
  
  METHODS
  We reviewed the surgical outcomes of 138 consecutive patients with gastric cancer who underwent LG with peripancreatic lymphadenectomy in our hospital between July 2005 and February 2009. As a control group, we used 95 consecutive OG cases with peripancreatic lymphadenectomy without splenectomy or para-aortic lymphadenectomy. LG and OG were compared for clinicopathologic characteristics, operative outcomes, postoperative morbidities and mortalities, and amylase concentration of drainage fluid (d-AMY).
  
  
  RESULTS
  The overall operative morbidity rates were 15% in the LG and 20% in the OG group. Rates of postoperative pancreatic fistula (POPF), Grade B and C in the International Study Group on Pancreatic Fistula definition, were 7% in the LG group and 2% in the OG group, indicating no statistical difference (P = .149). There were no in-hospital deaths. The median value of d-AMY in LG was 934.5 IU/L, while that in OG was 349 IU/L; d-AMY after LG was significantly higher than that after OG (P < .01).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Considering low morbidity and mortality rates, LG with peripancreatic lymphadenectomy is technically feasible. Although POPF after LG was infrequent, d-AMY level was higher than after OG. We should pay attention to the potential risk of pancreatic leakage when carrying out LG with peripancreatic lymphadenectomy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan. kobama@kuhp.kyoto-u.ac.jp
authors.forename: Kazutaka
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Obama
authors.forename: Hiroshi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Okabe
authors.forename: Hisahiro
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Hosogi
authors.forename: Eiji
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Tanaka
authors.forename: Atsushi
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Itami
authors.forename: Yoshiharu
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Sakai
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000714:Anastomosis, Surgical / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D018572:Disease-Free Survival; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005743:Gastrectomy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D005773:Gastroscopy / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000379:methods*; D006785:Hospitals, University; D006801:Humans; D007564:Japan; D007902:Length of Stay; D008197:Lymph Node Excision / Q000379:methods*; D008198:Lymph Nodes / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D010149:Postoperative Pain / Q000503:physiopathology; D010179:Pancreas; D010185:Pancreatic Fistula / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D010186:Pancreatic Function Tests; D011182:Postoperative Care / Q000379:methods; D019106:Postoperative Hemorrhage / Q000503:physiopathology; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D018570:Risk Assessment; D013274:Stomach Neoplasms / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D016019:Survival Analysis; D016896:Treatment Outcome