OBJECTIVETo evaluate the feasibility of laparoscopic and endoscopic cooperative partial gastrectomy,a minimally invasive surgery, in treating gastric submucosa lesion.

METHODSWe retrospectively analyzed 63 patients [34 women and 29 men, aged (52.8±18.1) years (range:14 to 78 years)] who had undergone laparoscopic and endoscopic cooperative partial gastrectomy with preserving cardia and pylorus for gastric submucosal tumor in the past 6 years. All of the patients were followed up for 2-69 months (average 35 months). The clinicopathological data, surgical approaches, and follow-up results were analyzed.

RESULTSThe surgery was successfully performed in all these 63 patients, among whom 61 were assisted by endoscopy. The most common symptom was dyspepsia. The mean distance from the lesions locating at fundus or antrum to cardia or pylorus was(2.9±1.1)cm. The minimum distance from tumor edge to cardia was 1cm. The diseases included gastrointestinal stromal tumor (n=54), carcinoid tumors (n=3), ectopic pancreas (n=2), lipoma (n=2), and leiomyoma (n=2). The tumor size ranged from 0.8 to 8.2cm, with 44 lesions (69.8%) less than 2cm. Forty-five lesions(71.4%) were located at fundus, 12 (19.0%) at body, and 6 (9.6%) at antrum. No recurrence or death was noted during follow-up.

CONCLUSIONSLaparoscopic and endoscopic cooperative partial gastrectomy is feasible for treating gastric submucosal tumor. Endoscopy is useful for intraoperative localization and supporting, and therefore is especially helpful for preserving cardia and pylorus.