title: Reoperation of Recurrent Gastric Cancer.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to evaluate the outcome of reoperation in recurrent gastric cancers.
  
  
  METHODS
  We conducted a retrospective analysis of 86 patients who underwent reoperation for recurrent gastric cancer. We reviewed the time interval between first operation and reoperation, as well as the recurrence pattern, type of reoperation, and survival following reoperation.
  
  
  RESULTS
  the average time to reoperation following curative resection was 27.8+/-25.9 months (median 18.4 months). Fifty-three cases (61.6%) of reoperation were performed within 2 years follwoing the first operation. The most common reason for reoperation was intestinal obstruction followed by gastric remnant recurrence and intra-abdominal mass. Complete resection was possible in 14 cases (16.3%) and a palliative procedure such as partial resection or bypass procedures was performed in 54 cases. In 18 cases (20.9%), simple lapalotomy was done without any aid. The most common site of recurrence was the peritoneum followed by the gastric remnant, distant lymph node and hematogenous liver metastasis. Operative mortality was 10.5%. Excluding the 9 cases of operative mortality, the mean survival time after reoperation was 15.4+/-2.5 months (mean 8.6 months). Survival following complete resection was much longer than palliative procedure and exploration only (37.9+/-8.7 vs 10.9+/-1.5 vs 4.7+/-0.8 months, p=0.000).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The complete resection of recurrent gastric cancer can prolong survival. Early detection of localized recurrence is important in order to increase the chance of complete resection.
authors.forename: S M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Park
authors.forename: C H
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: C H
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Park
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: C J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Ahn
authors.forename: G W
authors.initials: GW
authors.lastname: Lim
authors.forename: W B
authors.initials: WB
authors.lastname: Park
authors.forename: S N
authors.initials: SN
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: I C
authors.initials: IC
authors.lastname: Kim
keywords: Recurrence; Reoperation; Stomach neoplasm