title: Intragastric approach for submucosal tumors located near the Z-line: a hybrid laparoscopic and endoscopic technique.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The present study was designed to evaluate the feasibility and impact of the "intragastric" approach to laparoscopic wedge resection as a surgical option for the treatment of suspected small sized gastric submucosal tumors (SMTs) located at the level of Z-line.
  
  
  METHODS
  We reviewed six patients who underwent laparoscopic intragastric resection of a suspected gastric SMT. In all cases, tumor mass was located just below the Z-line. The patients' clinicopathologic characteristics and surgical outcomes were prospectively recorded and reviewed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  All six patients were underwent successfully laparoscopic wedge resection by the intragastric approach using a balloon-type trocar. No case was required open conversion. The mean operation time was 128 min, and the mean hospital stay was 4 days. Five cases were proven to have leiomyoma, and one case was found to have gastrointestinal stromal tumor with low risk. The mean tumor size was 2.7 cm.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Laparoscopic resection through the "intragastric" approach is a safe and feasible option for gastric SMTs located at the level of Z-line.
authors.affiliation: Division of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Department of Surgery, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Jung Ho
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Shim
authors.forename: Han Hong
authors.initials: HH
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Han Mo
authors.initials: HM
authors.lastname: Yoo
authors.forename: Hae Myung
authors.initials: HM
authors.lastname: Jeon
authors.forename: Cho Hyun
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Park
authors.forename: Jun Gi
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Kyo Young
authors.initials: KY
authors.lastname: Song
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D004724:Endoscopy; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D005743:Gastrectomy; D005753:Gastric Mucosa / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D005773:Gastroscopy; D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013274:Stomach Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery*; D016896:Treatment Outcome