Laparoscopic Completion total Gastrectomy as an Alternative Procedure for Gastric Stump Cancer: A Case Control Study

Abstract Background Complete gastrectomy for gastric stump cancer can be challenging due to severe adhesions; therefore, advanced techniques are required to perform laparoscopic surgery. This study aimed to evaluate the clinical outcomes of laparoscopic completion total gastrectomy for the treatment of gastric stump cancer. Methods Patient records from January 2010 to October 2018 were retrospectively evaluated. The patients were divided into two groups depending on whether they underwent open or laparoscopic gastrectomy. We compared patient characteristics; operative, clinical, and pathological data; survival rates; and prognosis between the groups. Results Twenty open and 17 laparoscopic completion total gastrectomies were performed. No significant differences in the distribution of the clinical T and N categories, clinical stage, and reconstruction methods of the initial gastrectomy between the two groups were observed. Laparoscopic gastrectomy resulted in a significantly longer operation time (230 vs. 182.5 min; p = 0.026), lower blood loss (14 vs. 105 mL; p = 0.0000179), and shorter period to the first flatus passage (2 vs. 3 days; p = 0.0000401) than open gastrectomy. No significant differences in the number of retrieved lymph nodes, duration of hospital stay, complication rate, and postoperative analgesic usage between the two groups were observed. No patients required conversion to open surgery in the laparoscopic-treatment group. Pathological findings revealed that the laparoscopic group had a smaller tumor size (not pathological T category) and less metastatic lymph nodes than the open group; this led to an earlier distribution of the pathological stage and better overall or disease-free survivals in the laparoscopic group. Conclusions Laparoscopic completion total gastrectomy was safely conducted without complications and mortality implicating the oncological validity for the treatment of gastric stump cancer. With sophistication of laparoscopic skills and advanced technologies, laparoscopic completion total gastrectomy may be the best way to perform less invasive surgery in terms of decreased blood loss and earlier recovery of intestinal peristalsis.