Abstract
Laparoscopic distal gastrectomy has been performed in our hospital since January 2010. To evaluate the utility of the laparoscopic surgery, short-term outcomes in distal gastrectomy for gastric cancer were compared with those of open surgery. Between April 2008 and July 2013, 70 patients underwent open distal gastrectomy (OG) and 95 patients underwent laparoscopic distal gastrectomy (LG). The number of the dissected lymph nodes was more in the LG group than the OG group ; 32.2±15.7 versus 25.1±15.3, respectively (p=0.04). A fewer operative blood loss was noted in the LG group than the OG group ; 110.0±385.9 ml versus 206.2±170.8 ml, respectively (p=0.034). The operation time was 322.1±84.1 min in the LG group versus 194.6±58.7 min in the OG group, revealing a prolonged time in the LG group (p<0.001). A lower incidence of the early postoperative complication was noted in the LG group than the other ; about 12% (11/95 cases) versus about 34% (24/70), respectively (p=0.005). The duration of postoperative hospital stay was shorter in the LG group than the other ; 15.2±11.4 days versus 21.6±12.0 days, respectively (p=0.001). In conclusion, laparoscopic distal gastrectomy for gastric cancer was feasible and superior to open distal gastrectomy in the short-term outcomes.
