Objective To investigate lymph node metastases in distal gastric cancer and its clinical significance. Methods From June 2006 to December 2007, 129 distal gastric cancer patients underwent radical gastrectomy with lymphadenectomy. Dissected lymph nodes were collected in groups, and histopathological studies were performed to detect lymph node metastasis. The relationship between lymph node metastasis and tumor parameters such as diameter, location, infiltrating depth, histological category,Borrmann typing was evaluated. Results Lymph node metastases was found in 80 out of 129 patients (62%). A total of 3295 lymph nodes were harvested with an average of 25.54 lymph nodes per patient,among those 889 lymph nodes were identified with metastasis. The metastasis rate was 18.60%, 48. 84%,37. 98%, 38. 76%, 44. 19%, 31.01%, 10. 85%, 14. 73%, 4. 65%, 1.55% and 0. 78% respectively in No. 1, No. 3, No. 4d, No. 5, No. 6, No. 7, No. 8a, No. 9, No. 11 p, No. 12a, No. 14v lymph node group.No. 3 and No. 6 group nodes were moat frequently invaded by metastasis. Conclusion This study provides the regular pattern of lymph node metastasis in distal gastric carcinoma patients undergoing radical gastrectomy and perigastric lymphadectomy which helps to guide lymphadectomy in terms of less trauma and favorite prognosis.