OBJECTIVETo investigate the risk factor of cholecystitis after radical gastrectomy for gastric cancer.

METHODSClinicpathological data of 553 gastric cancer patients with normal gallbladders undergoing radical gastrectomy in Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital between March 2013 and March 2015 were analyzed retrospectively. Univariate and multivariate analysis were applied to evaluate factors influencing the cholecystitis after radical gastrectomy using log-rank and logistic regression model.

RESULTSThere were 360 males and 193 females with a median age of 60 years. All patients were followed up from 6 months to 2 years. The incidence of cholecystitis after radical gastrectomy for gastric cancer was 33.1%(183/553), while incidence of cholecystolithiasis was 4.9%(27/553). In addition, the cholecystitis incidence of patients with No.12 lymph node cleaning was 39.6%(89/225), while with No.8a lymph node cleaning was 38.0%(151/397), with No.5 lymph node cleaning was 38.0%(68/179), with No.7 lymph node cleaning was 34.4%(138/402), with No.9 lymph node cleaning was 34.7%(136/392). Univariate log-rank test indicated that the lymphadenectomy of No.8a(χ(2)=15.530, P=0.000), No.12 group(χ(2)=7.157, P=0.007) and surgical methods (χ(2)=7.427, P=0.024) were significantly associated with cholecystitis after radical gastrectomy. Multivariate analysis showed that the lymphadenectomy of No.8a was independent factor of cholecystitis after radical gastrectomy (OR=2.016, 95% CI:1.244 to 3.267, P=0.004).

CONCLUSIONSVagal nerve trunk and sympathetic ganglion should be protected carefully during No.8a lymphadenectomy in radical gastrectomy for gastric cancer, in order to reduce the incidence of postoperative cholecystitis.