title: The effects of laparoscopic spleen-preserving splenic hilar lymphadenectomy on the surgical outcome of proximal gastric cancer: a propensity score-matched, case-control study.
abstract: The evidence regarding the long-term results of laparoscopic spleen-preserving splenic hilar lymphadenectomy (LSPL) has only been rarely reported. The aim of this study was to investigate the feasibility and oncologic efficacy of LSPL for locally advanced proximal gastric cancer.
  
  
  
  From May 2007 to December 2012, we prospectively collected and retrospectively analyzed the data of 548 patients who underwent laparoscopic radical total gastrectomy due to proximal gastric cancer. The patients were grouped according to spleen-preserving splenic hilar lymphadenectomy (200 in the D2 group and 348 in the D2-group). The short- and long-term outcomes were compared between the two groups after propensity score matching.
  
  
  
  Before matching, TNM stages were significantly different between the D2 and D2-groups. After propensity score matching, the two groups were well balanced in clinicopathologic characteristics. After matching, the time for lymph node dissection was longer in the D2 group, but a greater number of lymph nodes were dissected; the estimated blood loss, time to first flatus and duration of hospital stay were similar in the two groups. Furthermore, no significant differences in morbidity and mortality were found. Before matching, the 3-year overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) rates of the D2 group were comparable with those of the D2-group (62.4 vs. 57.7 %, p = 0.076). After matching, the 3-year OS remained comparable, but the D2 group showed significantly longer 3-year DFS (61.6 vs. 53.7 %, p = 0.034). Stratified analysis showed that, in stage III patients, the D2 group had better 3-year DFS. Multivariate Cox regression showed that age (p = 0.003), operation (p = 0.001) and pN stage (p < 0.001) were independent prognostic factors.
  
  
  
  LSPL is a safe and feasible procedure, and patients with stage III proximal gastric cancer might obtain higher 3-year DFS rates.
authors.affiliation: Department of Gastric Surgery, Fujian Medical University Union Hospital, No. 29 Xinquan Road, Fuzhou, 350001, Fujian Province, China. hcmlr2002@163.com.
authors.forename: Chang-Ming
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.affiliation: Department of Gastric Surgery, Fujian Medical University Union Hospital, No. 29 Xinquan Road, Fuzhou, 350001, Fujian Province, China.
authors.forename: Tan
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.affiliation: Department of Gastric Surgery, Fujian Medical University Union Hospital, No. 29 Xinquan Road, Fuzhou, 350001, Fujian Province, China.
authors.forename: Jian-Xian
authors.initials: JX
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.affiliation: Department of Gastric Surgery, Fujian Medical University Union Hospital, No. 29 Xinquan Road, Fuzhou, 350001, Fujian Province, China.
authors.forename: Qi-Yue
authors.initials: QY
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.affiliation: Department of Gastric Surgery, Fujian Medical University Union Hospital, No. 29 Xinquan Road, Fuzhou, 350001, Fujian Province, China.
authors.forename: Chao-Hui
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Zheng
authors.affiliation: Department of Gastric Surgery, Fujian Medical University Union Hospital, No. 29 Xinquan Road, Fuzhou, 350001, Fujian Province, China.
authors.forename: Ping
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: Department of Gastric Surgery, Fujian Medical University Union Hospital, No. 29 Xinquan Road, Fuzhou, 350001, Fujian Province, China.
authors.forename: Jian-Wei
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Xie
authors.affiliation: Department of Gastric Surgery, Fujian Medical University Union Hospital, No. 29 Xinquan Road, Fuzhou, 350001, Fujian Province, China.
authors.forename: Jia-Bin
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: Department of Gastric Surgery, Fujian Medical University Union Hospital, No. 29 Xinquan Road, Fuzhou, 350001, Fujian Province, China.
authors.forename: Jun
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Lu
authors.affiliation: Department of Gastric Surgery, Fujian Medical University Union Hospital, No. 29 Xinquan Road, Fuzhou, 350001, Fujian Province, China.
authors.forename: Long-Long
authors.initials: LL
authors.lastname: Cao
authors.affiliation: Department of Gastric Surgery, Fujian Medical University Union Hospital, No. 29 Xinquan Road, Fuzhou, 350001, Fujian Province, China.
authors.forename: Mi
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.affiliation: Department of Gastric Surgery, Fujian Medical University Union Hospital, No. 29 Xinquan Road, Fuzhou, 350001, Fujian Province, China.
authors.forename: Ru-Hong
authors.initials: RH
authors.lastname: Tu
mesh_terms: D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D000367:Age Factors; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002681:China / Q000453:epidemiology; D018572:Disease-Free Survival; D005260:Female; D005743:Gastrectomy / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy; D008197:Lymph Node Excision; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D059351:Organ Sparing Treatments; D011379:Prognosis; D057216:Propensity Score; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013154:Spleen; D013274:Stomach Neoplasms / Q000401:mortality* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*
keywords: Laparoscopic total gastrectomy; Propensity score matching; Proximal gastric cancer; Splenic hilar lymphadenectomy