OBJECTIVETo explore living anatomy of pancreas and peripancreatic spaces,as well as their implications on laparoscopic gastrectomy with D(2) lymphadenectomy for distal gastric cancer.

METHODSLiving observation was carried out in 132 patients diagnosed as distal gastric cancer and undergoing laparoscopic gastrectomy with D(2) lymphadenectomy.

RESULTSSpaces between greater omentum and transverse mesocolon continued to pre-pancreatic and retro-pancreatic spaces at inferior margin of pancreas. The pre-pancreatic and retro-pancreatic spaces continued each other at inferior and superior margin of pancreas and extended in all directions. Left gastroepiploic vessels were located in pre-pancreatic spaces at superior margin of pancreatic tail. In retro-pancreatic space at inferior margin of pancreatic neck, superior mesenteric veins were located. In retro-pancreatic spaces or in gastric mesenteries inferior to gastric antrum, right gastroepiploic vessels were located. In spaces between gastric antrum and pancreatic heads, gastroduodenal arteries were located and traced to locate common hepatic arteries. In retro-pancreatic spaces at superior margin of pancreatic body, common hepatic arteries, left gastric arteries,celiac arteries and splenic arteries were located. Hepatopancreatic folds and gastropancreatic folds were landmarks respective to locate common hepatic arteries and left gastric arteries. The aforementioned vessels and spaces in their vagina vasorum continued each other and united as a whole.

CONCLUSIONSLaparoscopic gastrectomy with D(2) lymphadenectomy for distal gastric cancer is carried out in macroscopic surgical planes of pre-pancreatic space and retro-pancreatic space, as well as their extensions in all directions, and in microscopic surgical planes of spaces in vagina vasorum of perigastric vessels which continue each other, under the guidance of central landmarks of pancreas and concrete landmarks of vessel trunks and their furcations.