OBJECTIVETo investigate the feasibility and short-term efficacy of laparoscopic resection of primary localized gastric gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST) by comparing with open surgery.

METHODSClinicopathological data of 167 gastric GIST patients undergoing operation in Zhongshan Hospital from June 2008 to December 2013 were retrospectively analyzed, among whom 55 received laparoscopic surgery and 112 underwent open surgery for primary local gastric GIST. Efficacy of different size and different location of GIST was compared between laparoscopic and open groups.

RESULTSThere was no conversion to open surgery in laparoscopy group. Compared with open surgery, laparoscopic resection for gastric GIST smaller than 5 cm or located at anterior wall, greater curvature, lesser curvature, was associated with similar operation time(P>0.05), but less blood loss, shorter post-hospital stay or flatus time(all P<0.05). The operative outcomes were similar between laparoscopic and open resection for gastric GIST bigger than or equal to 5 cm or located at posterior wall(all P>0.05), except the longer operation time in laparoscopy group(P<0.05). The incidence of postoperative complication did not differ between two groups. Laparoscopic group had 2 patients with gastroparesis and open group had 2 gastroparesis, 2 pulmonary infection, and 1 poor wound healing(all P>0.05), which all recovered after conservative treatment. During 7 to 84 months(median 35) of follow-up, no recurrence or hepatic metastasis was found in laparoscopy group, and 3 hepatic metastases in open group. There was no significant difference of recurrence-free survival between two groups(P>0.05).

CONCLUSIONLaparoscopic resection for gastric GIST is safe and effective in selected patients, especially for those with tumors smaller than 5 cm, or located at anterior wall, greater curvature, lesser curvature, whose short-term outcomes are better than open resection.