Minimally invasive surgery for remnant gastric cancer:a single-center retrospective study of treatment outcomes in Japan
10.7602/jmis.2026.29.1.11
- Author:
Kenichi IWASAKI
1
;
Edward BARROGA
;
Yoichiro KANEKO
;
Shohei KONDO
;
Toru SAKURAI
;
Erika YAMADA
;
Masaya ENOMOTO
;
Yota SHIMODA
;
Kenta KASAHARA
;
Hiroaki OSAKABE
;
Junichi MAZAKI
;
Hiroshi KUWABARA
;
Junya OGUMA
;
Hiroyuki KOGA
;
Akishige KANAZAWA
;
Yuichi NAKAGAWA
Author Information
1. Department of Gastrointestinal and Pediatric Surgery, Tokyo Medical University, Tokyo, Japan
- Publication Type:ORIGINAL ARTICLE
- From:Journal of Minimally Invasive Surgery
2026;29(1):11-21
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Purpose:Surgical resection of remnant gastric cancer (RGC) is technically challenging and difficult. Minimally invasive surgery (MIS) has been adopted for various procedures, but reports of MIS for RGC remain limited. Herein, we report the surgical techniques and short-term outcomes of MIS for RGC.
Methods:We conducted a retrospective cohort study involving 61 consecutive RGC patients who underwent open or minimally invasive (laparoscopic or robotic) total gastrectomy for potentially curable RGC at our institution (January 1999–August 2025). A propensity scorematched cohort was used for an exploratory evaluation of the safety and efficacy of MIS for RGC, focusing on feasibility rather than superiority over open surgery.
Results:Of these 61 patients, 53 underwent open surgery and eight underwent MIS gastrectomy for RGC. The median age was 70 years. The cohort comprised 53 men and eight women. The initial procedure was open surgery in 58 patients and MIS in three patients.Propensity score matching showed significantly reduced intraoperative blood loss in the MIS group compared with the open surgery group (39 mL vs. 576 mL, p < 0.05), and significantly longer operation time in the MIS group (352 minutes vs. 297 minutes, p < 0.05). Postoperative hospital stay was significantly shorter in the MIS group (12 days vs. 17 days, p < 0.05). The incidence of postoperative pancreatic fistula was lower in the MIS group, although not significantly different (0% vs. 16.7%).
Conclusion:MIS, including robotic gastrectomy, is feasible and safe for RGC, with potential perioperative benefits requiring multicenter validation.
