Abstract

INTRODUCTION

The most effective curative treatment for gastric cancer other than early stage is radical gastrectomy with D2 lymph node dissection. Laparoscopy assisted gastrectomy is one of the technique alternatives on this issue. Although the advantages of laparoscopic surgery as a minimal invasive procedure is well known, it should be evaluated for the reach of radical oncological principles and the results should be revealed.

METHODS

The early results of patients with clinical stage IIA and over gastric carcinoma that had been operated with laparoscopy assisted (19 patients) and open surgery (23 patients) were evaluated.

RESULTS

In laparoscopy assisted group, both the bleeding and the need for analgesics in postoperative period were significantly less (166.9±66.5ml vs 264.3±91.3ml, 6.4±1.5 vs 9.04±1.7, times respectively) but the time needed to complete surgery was longer (183± 31.1 min vs 155± 29.5 min). There was no difference in the numbers of lymph nodes removed and surgical resection margins. The pulmonary complications were more frequent in open surgery group.

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION

Laparoscopy assisted radical gastrectomy with D2 lymph node dissection is an effective and safe surgical technique for gastric cancers other than early stage. It is thought to have some superiorities in early postoperative healing.