title: Laparoscopically assisted resections of small bowel stromal tumors are safe and effective.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To compare the efficacy of laparoscopically assisted and open resections in treatment of small bowel stromal tumors (SBST).
  
  
  METHODS
  A retrospective study of 85 patients who underwent curative resections for SBST (38 by laparoscopically assisted procedures and 47 by open procedures) was performed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There were no differences between open and laparoscopically assisted approaches in terms of patients' age, gender, presenting symptoms, histological risk or extent of resection (P > 0.05). The median tumor size for laparoscopically assisted resections was 4.0 cm (range 1.2-7.0 cm), which was the same as that for the open resections (range 2.0-10.0 cm). There were fewer complications in the laparoscopic group than those in the open resection group (7.9% vs 17.0%), but no significant difference was observed (P > 0.05). The 2-year survival of the two patient groups was almost the same (86.8% vs 89.4%). Laparoscopically assisted procedures required on average 22.5 min less of operating time (87.5 min vs 110.0 min, P = 0.006), 1.0 day less of bowel recovery time (3.0 days vs 4.0 days, P = 0.001) and 5.0 days less in hospital stay (8.0 days vs 13.0 days, P < 0.001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Laparoscopically assisted resection of SBST is a safe alternative to open resection.
authors: Department of General Surgery, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.
authors: Wei
authors: W
authors: Cai
authors: Zheng Ting
authors: ZT
authors: Wang
authors: Liang
authors: L
authors: Wu
authors: Jie
authors: J
authors: Zhong
authors: Min Hua
authors: MH
authors: Zheng
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D013505:Digestive System Surgical Procedures / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D005770:Gastrointestinal Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D046152:Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D007421:Intestine, Small / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D010535:Laparoscopy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D007902:Length of Stay; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020127:Recovery of Function; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D015996:Survival Rate; D016896:Treatment Outcome