Laparoscopic Gastric Resection for Gastric Cancer: Is Intracorporeal Anastomosis Necessary?

Background and Objective: In surgical dissection, laparoscopic approach and open techniques do not differ significantly, but there is still no consensus on how anastomosis should be performed in both cardia and distal gastric tumors. Anastomosis can be performed by laparoscopy-assisted mini-laparotomy or by intracorporeal suture techniques. In this study, we aim to present our four years of clinical experience and short-term surgical results from 133 cases in order to evaluate the necessity of laparoscopic anastomosis. Methods: This study was approved by Ethics Committee (No: 1-8-19, date: 14/01/2019). Patients who underwent curative resection with the diagnosis of gastric adenocarcinoma between January 2014 and January 2018 in the Ankara University Surgical Oncology Department were included in the study. Results: Of the 133 patients included in the study, 108 (81.2) were male and the mean age was 60.51 ± 12.0 years. The time of anastomosis was significantly longer in patients undergoing intracorporeal anastomosis (p = 0.021). The incidence of anastomotic leakage was significantly higher in the group undergoing intracorporeal anastomosis (p = 0.004). Conclusions: We think that esophagojejunostomy and jejunojejunostomy anastomoses in patients undergoing total gastrectomy should be performed with intracorporeal techniques in terms of benefit risk assessment. We believe that it is more feasible to continue the case with mini laparotomy when anastomosis is reached in patients who are planned to have gastrojejunostomy. In addition, in terms of intracorporeal anastomoses and advanced laparoscopic techniques, intracorporeal anastomoses performed in gastric cancer surgery for a laparoscopist who has completed the learning curve do not appear to be very different in terms of anastomosis safety. doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.36.6.1915 How to cite this:Ogun E, Ekrem UA, Yuksel C, Serdar C, Basceken SI, Umit M, et al. Laparoscopic Gastric Resection for Gastric Cancer: Is Intracorporeal Anastomosis Necessary? Pak J Med Sci. 2020;36(6):---------. doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.36.6.1915 This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

Successful Intracorporeal Suturing Following Laparoscopic Resection of a Large Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumor Located at the Esophagogastric Junction

Laparoscopic partial resection of gastric gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) ≤5 cm in size is widely performed, whereas that of large GISTs (size >5 cm) is controversial because of oncologic and technical safety. Furthermore, laparoscopic resection of GISTs located at the esophagogastric junction (EGJ) is difficult because of the high risk of narrowing or/and deformity of the EGJ. In the current study we report a case of laparoscopic partial resection of a large GIST located at the EGJ. A 74-year-old female patient visited our institution complaining of epigastric discomfort. An esophagogastroduodenoscopy and an abdominal computed tomography scan revealed a 7.5 × 4.0 cm GIST at the EGJ and upper stomach. The patient underwent laparoscopic partial resection with intracorporeal suturing, without any breakage of the pseudocapsule. The defect of the esophagogastric wall after resection was closed by intracorporeal running suture. The patient's postoperative course was uneventful. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of laparoscopic resection of a large GIST located at the EGJ. Our technique of intracorporeal manual suturing following laparoscopic gastric resection can be a valid option for minimally invasive surgery for a large GIST located at the EGJ.

Single-port for laparoscopic gastric resection with a novel platform

INTRODUCTION: Laparoscopic gastrointestinal resections using single-port are possible, but triangulation problems and the need of articulated instruments difficult the procedures. AIM: To present a surgical alternative using single-port laparoscopic device on gastric resection. TECHNIQUE: The patient is placed in a supine and reverse Trendelenburg position with surgeon between patient's legs. First assistant was on the right side of the patient with the monitor placed on the patient's cranial side. With the patient under general anesthesia, a transumbilical 3 cm skin incision is performed. A single-incision advanced access platform with gelatin cap, self-retaining sleeve and wound protector is introduced through this incision. Three 5-12 mm operating ports were introduced through the single-port device. Due to the gel cap and sleeves, no articulated instruments are necessary. CO2 pneumoperitoneum is established at 12 mmHg. A rigid 30 degree 10 mm laparoscope is introduced. Operation begins with access to the lesser sac by opening the omentum along the greater curvature of the stomach using harmonic scalpel. Once the stomach is fully exposed and a stay suture is place around the tumor. Gastric wall is divided with cautery 1 cm away from the tumor. Tumor is excised. Gastric wall is sutured with two-layer running suture. No drain was used. Umbilical incision was closed. RESULTS: This procedure was used in one patient with gastric duplication. Operative time was 200 minutes. Blood loss was minimal. Recovery was uneventful and patient discharged on postoperative day 2. Final aspect of the umbilical incision was good. CONCLUSIONS: Gastric resection with single-port laparoscopic platform is feasible and may be safely performed in selected patients.