OBJECTIVETo evaluate the advantage and short-term efficacy of three-dimensional (3D) laparoscopic-assisted D2 radical gastrectomy for gastric cancer.

METHODSClinical data of 116 gastric cancer patients who underwent laparoscopic-assisted D2 radical gastrectomy in our department from January 2014 to August 2015 were analyzed retrospectively. Among 116 patients, 56 received 3D and 60 received two-dimensional(2D) technique respectively. All the surgeries were performed by the same team. The operative parameters, short-term efficacy and hospital expense were compared between the two groups.

RESULTSThere were no significant differences between the two groups in baseline data(all P>0.05). All the operations were performed successfully without conversion. Compared with 2D group, 3D group had shorter operative time [(186.2±22.8) minutes vs. (198.1±26.4) minutes, t=2.589, P=0.011], less intraoperative blood loss [(73.6±28.5) ml vs. (88.1±32.3)ml, t=2.555, P=0.012]. Whereas no significant differences in dissected lymph nodes(36.5±6.6 vs. 34.5±5.4, P=0.073), time to first flatus[(3.1±1.5) days vs. (3.3±1.8) days, P=0.729], length of hospital stay[(11.7±2.9) days vs. (12.6±3.1) days, P=0.088], incidence of postoperative complications [8.9%(5/56) vs. 11.7%(7/60), P=0.628] and hospitalization cost [(8.6±1.4)×10(4) yuan vs. (8.1±1.2)×10(4) yuan, P=0.055] were found between two groups.

CONCLUSIONThree-dimensional laparoscopic-assisted D2 radical gastrectomy may be advantageous over two-dimensional laparoscopic-assisted D2 radical gastrectomy.