Minimally invasive treatment of gastric gastrointestinal stromal tumors:  laparoscopic and endoscopic approach.
OBJECTIVE
This study aimed to verify the long-term outcome of a minimally invasive endoscopic or laparoscopic approach for the treatment of gastric gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST).


METHODS
This single-center study involved a retrospective review of gastric tumors that were pathologically confirmed as GIST. A total of 84 patients who underwent minimally invasive endoscopic or laparoscopic resection for gastric GIST were enrolled from February 2002 to June 2007. These demographics, tumor characteristics, and outcomes were analyzed for identification of outcomes and feasibility of endoscopic or laparoscopic resection.


RESULTS
Of 84 patients, 27 and 57 patients underwent endoscopic and laparoscopic resection, respectively. The average tumor size was 3.1 ± 1.7 cm. With a mean follow-up of 40.5 ± 20.7 months, 82 (97.7%) patients were disease free. Two patients, both of whom underwent laparoscopic resection, were alive with peritoneal recurrence. Two (7.4%) and 6 (10.5%) patients, respectively, had postoperative complications after endoscopic resection and laparoscopic resection. There was no significant difference in the operative morbidity according to tumor size. There was no postoperative mortality.


CONCLUSIONS
Laparoscopic surgery for gastric GIST is safe and feasible, even in large (>5 cm) tumors. Because endoscopic resection showed good results without recurrence, this approach can be useful in selected cases with a high operative risk or a need for preservation of organ function.
Department of Surgery, School of Medicine, Jeju National University, Jeju, Korea.
In Ho
IH
Jeong
Ji Hun
JH
Kim
Sang Rim
SR
Lee
Jin Hong
JH
Kim
Jae Chul
JC
Hwang
Sung Jae
SJ
Shin
Kee Myung
KM
Lee
Hoon
H
Hur
Sang Uk
SU
Han
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D005743:Gastrectomy / Q000379:methods*; D046152:Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors / Q000601:surgery*; D005773:Gastroscopy / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy / Q000379:methods*; D007902:Length of Stay; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local; D011182:Postoperative Care / Q000379:methods; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000209:etiology; D013274:Stomach Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult