BACKGROUND: The results of studies comparing Billroth-I (B-I) with Roux-en-Y (R-Y) reconstruction on the quality of life (QoL) are still inconsistent. The aim of this trial was to compare the long-term QoL of B-I with R-Y anastomosis after curative distal gastrectomy for gastric cancer. METHODS: A total of 140 patients undergoing curative distal gastrectomy with D2 lymphadenectomy in West China Hospital, Sichuan University from May 2011 to May 2014 were randomly assigned to the B-I group ( N  = 70) and R-Y group ( N  = 70). The follow-up time points were 1, 3, 6, 9, 12, 24, 36, 48, and 60 months after the operation. The final follow-up time was May 2019. The clinicopathological features, operative safety, postoperative recovery, long-term survival as well as QoL were compared, among which QoL score was the primary outcome. An intention-to-treat analysis was applied. RESULTS: The baseline characteristics were comparable between the two groups. There were no statistically significant differences in terms of postoperative morbidity and mortality rates, and postoperative recovery between the two groups. Less estimated blood loss and shorter surgical duration were found in the B-I group. There were no statistically significant differences in 5-year overall survival (79% [55/70] of the B-I group vs. 80% [56/70] of the R-Y group, P  = 0.966) and recurrence-free survival rates (79% [55/70] of the B-I group vs. 78% [55/70] of the R-Y group, P  = 0.979) between the two groups. The scores of the global health status of the R-Y group were higher than those of the B-I group with statistically significant differences (postoperative 1 year: 85.4 ± 13.1 vs . 88.8 ± 16.1, P  = 0.033; postoperative 3 year: 87.3 ± 15.2 vs . 92.8 ± 11.3, P  = 0.028; postoperative 5 year: 90.9 ± 13.7 vs . 96.4 ± 5.6, P  = 0.010), and the reflux (postoperative 3 year: 8.8 ± 12.9 vs . 2.8 ± 5.3, P  = 0.001; postoperative 5 year: 5.1 ± 9.8 vs . 1.8 ± 4.7, P  = 0.033) and epigastric pain (postoperative 1 year: 11.8 ± 12.7 vs. 6.1 ± 8.8, P  = 0.008; postoperative 3 year: 9.4 ± 10.6 vs. 4.6 ± 7.9, P  = 0.006; postoperative 5 year: 6.0 ± 8.9 vs . 2.7 ± 4.6, P  = 0.022) were milder in the R-Y group than those of the B-I group at the postoperative 1, 3, and 5-year time points. CONCLUSIONS: Compared with B-I group, R-Y reconstruction was associated with better long-term QoL by reducing reflux and epigastric pain, without changing survival outcomes. TRIAL REGISTRATION ChiCTR.org.cn, ChiCTR-TRC-10001434.
Humans ; Stomach Neoplasms/pathology* ; Anastomosis, Roux-en-Y/methods* ; Quality of Life ; Treatment Outcome ; Gastrectomy/methods* ; Postoperative Complications ; Gastroenterostomy/methods* ; Pain

Objective: To compare the clinical efficacy and quality of life between uncut Roux-en-Y and Billroth II with Braun anastomosis in laparoscopic distal gastrectomy for gastric cancer patients. Methods: A retrospective cohort study was performed. Inclusion criteria: (1) 18 to 75 years old; (2) gastric cancer proved by preoperative gastroscopy, CT and pathological results and tumor was suitable for D2 radical distal gastrectomy; (3) postoperative pathological diagnosis stage was T1-4aN0-3M0 (according to the AJCC-7th TNM tumor stage), and the margin was negative; (4) Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) physical status score <2 points, and American Association of Anesthesiologists (ASA) grade 1 to 3; (5) no mental illness; (6) able to answer questionnaires independently; (7) patients agreed to undergo laparoscopic distal gastrectomy and signed an informed consent. Exclusion criteria: (1) patients with severe chronic diseases and American Association of Anesthesiologists (ASA) grade >3; (2) patients with other malignant tumors; (3) patients suffered from serious mental diseases; (4) patients received neoadjuvant chemotherapy or immunotherapy. According to the above criteria, clinical data of 200 patients who underwent laparoscopic distal gastrectomy at the Department of General Surgery of the First Affiliated Hospital of Army Medical University from January 2016 to December 2019 were collected. Of the 200 patients, 108 underwent uncut Roux-en-Y anastomosis and 92 underwent Billroth II with Braun anastomosis. The general data, intraoperative and postoperative conditions, complications, and endoscopic evaluation 1 year after the surgery were compared. Besides, the quality of life of two groups was also compared using the Chinese version of the European Organization For Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) quality of life questionnaire-Core 30 (QLQ-C30) and quality of life questionnaire-stomach 22 (QLQ-STO22). Results: There were no significant differences in baseline data between the two groups (all P>0.05). All the 200 patients successfully underwent laparoscopic distal gastrectomy without intraoperative complications, conversion to open surgery or perioperative death. There were no significant differences between two groups in operative time, intraoperative blood loss, postoperative complications, time to flatus, time to removal of gastric tube, time to liquid diet, time to removal of drainage tube or length of postoperative hospital stay (all P>0.05). Endoscopic evaluation was conducted 1 year after surgery. Compared to Billroth II with Braun group, the uncut Roux-en-Y group had a significantly lower incidences of gastric stasis [19.8% (17/86) vs. 37.0% (27/73), χ(2)=11.199, P=0.024], gastritis [11.6% (10/86) vs. 34.2% (25/73), χ(2)=20.892, P<0.001] and bile reflux [1.2% (1/86) vs. 28.8% (21/73), χ(2)=25.237, P<0.001], and the differences were statistically significant. The EORTC questionnaire was performed 1 year after surgery, there were no significant differences in the scores of QLQ-C30 scale between the two groups (all P>0.05), while the scores of QLQ-STO22 showed that, compared to the Billroth II with Braun group, the uncut Roux-en-Y group had a lower pain score (median: 8.3 vs. 16.7, Z=-2.342, P=0.019) and reflux score (median: 0 vs 5.6, Z=-2.284, P=0.022), and the differences were statistically significant (all P<0.05), indicating milder symptoms. Conclusion: The uncut Roux-en-Y anastomosis is safe and reliable in laparoscopic distal gastrectomy, which can reduce the incidences of gastric stasis, gastritis and bile reflux, and improve the quality of life of patients after surgery.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Anastomosis, Roux-en-Y/adverse effects* ; Anastomosis, Surgical/adverse effects* ; Gastrectomy/methods* ; Gastroenterostomy/adverse effects* ; Humans ; Laparoscopy/methods* ; Middle Aged ; Postoperative Complications/epidemiology* ; Quality of Life ; Retrospective Studies ; Stomach Neoplasms/pathology* ; Treatment Outcome ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the short-term efficacy and cosmetic effect of dual-port laparoscopic distal gastrectomy (DPLDG) for gastric cancer. METHODS: Thirty consecutive patients underwent DPLDG at the Department of General Surgery, Nanfang Hospital from November 2016 to August 2018. INCLUSION CRITERIA: (1) age of 18 to 75 years; (2) primary gastric adenocarcinoma confirmed pathologically by endoscopic biopsy; (3) tumor located at middle-low stomach and planned for distal gastrectomy; (4) cT1b-2N0-1M0 at preoperative staging; (5) tumor diameter ≤3 cm; (6) US Eastern Cancer Cooperative Group(ECOG) score 0 to 1 points; (7) American Society of Anesthesiologists grade I to II; (8) perioperative management based on enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) principle. EXCLUSION CRITERIA: previous upper abdominal surgery (except laparoscopic cholecystectomy), history of other malignant disease, and body mass index ≥30 kg/m². A self-developed single-incision, multiport, laparoscopic surgery Trocar (Surgaid Medical, Xiamen, China, comprising 3 channels for observation, main surgeon and assistant surgeon) was placed through a 3-4 cm incision under or at the left side of the umbilicus. An additional 5 mm Trocar was inserted under the rib margin of the right clavicle to serve as the secondary operating hole and the position of the drainage tube. The liver was suspended to expose the surgical field clearly. Surgical procedure was as follows: conventional laparoscopic instruments were used. After entering the omental sac, dissection was performed along the transverse colon to the spleen flexure. Left gastroepiploic vessels were identified and then ligated at the root. No.4sb lymph nodes were dissected. The No.4d lymph nodes were dissected along the greater curvature of the stomach. Then the dissection was continued rightward to the hepatic flexure to separate mesogastrium and mesocolon. The right gastroepiploic artery was ligated at the root to allow the removal of No.6 lymph nodes. The duodenal bulb was transacted by liner stapler, the right gastric artery was ligated at the root and the No.5 lymph nodes were removed. Peritoneal trunk, common hepatic artery, splenic artery and left gastric artery and vein in posterior pancreatic space at upper pancreas were separated, then left gastric vessels were ligated, and No.9, No.8a, No.11p and No.7 lymph nodes were dissected. The left side wall of portal vein was exposed and No.12a lymph nodes were removed. No.1 and No.3 lymph nodes were dissected along the lesser curvature. The stomach corpus was transacted by liner stapler at 4-5 cm proximal end of the tumor. Roux-en-Y anastomosis or Billroth II anastomosis was performed in the cavity. A drainage tube was placed near the gastrojejunal anastomosis through the right upper abdomen secondary operating hole. Postoperative short-term efficacy (operation time, blood loss, 5-port conversion rate, open conversion rate, number of retrieved lymph nodes, time to postoperative first flatus, time to first soft diet intake, time to removal of drainage tube, postoperative hospital stay, postoperative analgesics use, and postoperative 30-day complication rate) and cosmetic scale (questionnaire: degree of satisfaction with scar, description of scar, grade of scar; total score ranged from the lowest 3 to the highest 24; the higher the better) were evaluated in all 30 patients. RESULTS: No serious complication and death were observed intraoperatively. The mean operative time was (197.8±46.9) minutes. The median blood loss was 30 ml (quartile 31.25 ml). The mean number of retrieved lymph node was 38.7±14.1. Five-port conversion rate was 3.3% (1/30), and no open conversion occurred. Mean time to postoperative first flatus, time to first soft diet intake, time to removal of drainage tube and postoperative hospital stay were (45.3±18.9) hours, (87.6±35.6) hours, (101.8±58.0) hours and (6.1±2.1) days, respectively. Twenty-four (80%) of patients had no additional analgesics use. The postoperative complication rate within 30 days was 16.7% (5/30). Postoperative overall cosmetic score was 22.1±1.3, and cosmetic score of 96.7%(29/30) of patients was 18 to 24. CONCLUSION DPLDG is safe and feasible with advantages of faster postoperative recovery, reducing pain and better cosmetic outcomes.
Adenocarcinoma ; pathology ; surgery ; China ; Feasibility Studies ; Gastrectomy ; instrumentation ; methods ; Gastroenterostomy ; Humans ; Laparoscopy ; instrumentation ; methods ; Lymph Node Excision ; Retrospective Studies ; Stomach Neoplasms ; pathology ; surgery ; Treatment Outcome

PURPOSE: Although linear-shaped gastroduodenostomy (LSGD) was reported to be a feasible and reliable method of Billroth I anastomosis in patients undergoing totally laparoscopic distal gastrectomy (TLDG), the feasibility of LSGD for patients undergoing totally robotic distal gastrectomy (TRDG) has not been determined. This study compared the feasibility of LSGD in patients undergoing TRDG and TLDG.MATERIALS AND METHODS: ALL C: onsecutive patients who underwent LSGD after distal gastrectomy for gastric cancer between January 2009 and December 2017 were analyzed retrospectively. Propensity score matching (PSM) analysis was performed to reduce the selection bias between TRDG and TLDG. Short-term outcomes, functional outcomes, learning curve, and risk factors for postoperative complications were analyzed.RESULTS: This analysis included 414 patients, of whom 275 underwent laparoscopy and 139 underwent robotic surgery. PSM analysis showed that operation time was significantly longer (163.5 vs. 132.1 minutes, P<0.001) and postoperative hospital stay significantly shorter (6.2 vs. 7.5 days, P<0.003) in patients who underwent TRDG than in patients who underwent TLDG. Operation time was the independent risk factor for LSGD after intracorporeal gastroduodenostomy. Cumulative sum analysis showed no definitive turning point in the TRDG learning curve. Long-term endoscopic findings revealed similar results in the two groups, but bile reflux at 5 years showed significantly better improvement in the TLDG group than in the TRDG group (P=0.016).CONCLUSIONS: LSGD is feasible in TRDG, with short-term and long-term outcomes comparable to that in TLDG. LSGD may be a good option for intracorporeal Billroth I anastomosis in patients undergoing TRDG.
Bile Reflux ; Gastrectomy ; Gastroenterostomy ; Humans ; Laparoscopy ; Learning Curve ; Length of Stay ; Methods ; Postoperative Complications ; Propensity Score ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors ; Robotic Surgical Procedures ; Selection Bias ; Stomach Neoplasms

OBJECTIVETo compare the short-term safety and costs between laparoscopic assisted or totally laparoscopic uncut Roux-en-Y and Billroth II((BII() + Braun reconstruction after radical gastrectomy of distal gastric cancer.

METHODSClinical data from our prospective database of radical gastrectomy were systematically analyzed. The patients who underwent laparoscopic gastrectomy with uncut Roux-en-Y or BII(+ Braun reconstruction between March 1st, 2015 and June 30th, 2017 were screened out for further analysis. Both the reconstructions were completed by linear staplers. Uncut Roux-en-Y reconstruction was performed with a 45 mm no-knife linear stapler (ATS45NK) on the afferent loop below the gastrojejunostomy. Continuous variables were compared using independent samples t test or Mann-Whitney U. The frequencies of categorical variables were compared using Chi-squared or Fisher exact test.

RESULTSEighty-one patients were in uncut Roux-en-Y group and 58 patients were in BII(+Braun group. There were no significant differences between uncut Roux-en-Y group and BII(+Braun group in median age (56.0 years vs. 56.5 years, P=0.757), gender (male/female, 52/29 vs. 46/12, P=0.054), history of abdominal surgery (yes/no, 10/71 vs. 4/54, P=0.293), neoadjuvant chemotherapy (yes/no, 21/60 vs. 11/47, P=0.336), BMI (thin/normal/overweight/obesity, 2/49/26/3 vs. 3/39/14/2, P=0.591), NRS 2002 score (1/2/3/4, 58/15/5/3 vs. 47/5/3/3, P=0.403), pathological stage (0/I(/II(/III(, 3/41/20/17 vs. 1/28/13/16, P=0.755), median tumor diameter in long axis (2.5 cm vs. 3.0 cm, P=0.278), median tumor diameter in short axis (2.0 cm vs. 2.0 cm, P=0.126) and some other clinical and pathological characteristics. There were no significant differences between uncut Roux-en-Y group and BII(+Braun group in morbidity of postoperative complication more severe than grade I([12.3% (10/81) vs. 17.2% (10/58), P=0.417], morbidity of anastomotic complication [1.2%(1/81) vs. 0, P=1.000] or hospitalization costs [(94000±14000) yuan vs.(95000±16000) yuan, P=0.895]. The median first time to liquid diet (57.1 hours vs. 70.8 hours, P=0.017) and median postoperative hospital stay (9 days vs. 11 days, P=0.003) of the patients in uncut Roux-en-Y group were shorter than those in BII(+Braun group.

CONCLUSIONLaparoscopic assisted or totally laparoscopic uncut Roux-en-Y reconstruction after radical gastrectomy of distal gastric cancer is safe and feasible with better recovery than BII(+Braun reconstruction.

Anastomosis, Roux-en-Y ; Databases, Factual ; Female ; Gastrectomy ; Gastroenterostomy ; Humans ; Laparoscopy ; methods ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prospective Studies ; Stomach Neoplasms ; surgery ; Treatment Outcome

Methods of digestive tract reconstruction after distal gastrectomy include Billroth I, Billroth II and Roux-en-Y. Each of them has advantages and disadvantages respectively. Alkaline reflux gastritis (ARG) is one of the complications after distal gastrectomy, which is common after Billroth II. In the past 100 years, the ways of digestive tract reconstruction have been continuously improved and developed to prevent the occurrence of alkaline reflux gastritis, and Roux-en-Y is one of them. Still, there is a high incidence of Roux stasis syndrome resulting from Roux-en-Y, with impact on quality of life. Therefore, the appropriate reconstruction is needed urgently. Braun anastomosis was proposed in 1892 to lower the incidence of afferent syndrome. Because of its effect of diverting some alkaline digestive juice, it was applied to pancreaticoduodenectomy and distal gastrectomy. Some studies have proved its effect of diverting some alkaline digestive juice, but the diverted quantity was rarely shown. Besides, compared with Roux-en-Y, Billroth II with Braun anastomosis is safer and more convenient. Meantime it is likely to have benefits in aspect of preventing anemia and malnutrition. In order to provide evidence to clinical practice, this article summarizes the history and research advance of Billroth II with Braun anastomosis by reviewing previous reports.
Anastomosis, Roux-en-Y ; Anastomosis, Surgical ; Gastrectomy ; methods ; Gastroenterostomy ; methods ; Humans ; Quality of Life ; Stomach Neoplasms ; surgery

PURPOSE: This study primarily aimed to investigate the short- and long-term remission rates of type 2 diabetes (T2D) in patients who underwent surgical treatment for gastric cancer, especially patients who were non-obese, and secondarily to determine the potential factors associated with remission. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the clinical records of patients with T2D who underwent radical gastrectomy for gastric cancer, from January 2008 to December 2012. RESULTS: T2D improved in 39 out of 70 (55.7%) patients at the postoperative 2-year follow-up and 21 of 42 (50.0%) at the 5-year follow-up. In the 2-year data analysis, preoperative body mass index (BMI) (P=0.043), glycated hemoglobin (A1C) level (P=0.039), number of anti-diabetic medications at baseline (P=0.040), reconstruction method (statistical difference was noted between Roux-en-Y reconstruction and Billroth I; P=0.035) were significantly related to the improvement in glycemic control. Unlike the results at 2 years, the 5-year data analysis revealed that only preoperative BMI (P=0.043) and A1C level (P=0.039) were statistically significant for the improvement in glycemic control; however, the reconstruction method was not. CONCLUSIONS: All types of gastric cancer surgery can be effective in short- and long-term T2D control in non-obese patients. In addition, unless long-limb bypass is considered in gastric cancer surgery, the long-term glycemic control is not expected to be different between the reconstruction methods.
Body Mass Index ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2* ; Follow-Up Studies* ; Gastrectomy* ; Gastroenterostomy ; Glycemic Index ; Hemoglobin A, Glycosylated ; Humans ; Illegitimacy* ; Methods ; Retrospective Studies ; Statistics as Topic ; Stomach Neoplasms*

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the feasibility and safety of the delta-shaped anastomosis in laparoscopic distal gastrectomy and digestive tract reconstruction.

METHODSClinical data of 34 gastric cancer patients undergoing laparoscopic distal gastrectomy with the delta-shaped anastomosis for digestive tract reconstruction (delta-shaped group) and 83 gastric cancer patients undergoing laparoscopic distal gastrectomy with Billroth I( for digestive tract reconstruction (Billroth group) by same surgeon team from July 2013 to July 2015 at the Department of Digestive Surgery, Affiliated Tumor Hospital of Shanxi Medical University were retrospectively analyzed. Data of two groups were compared.

RESULTAge, gender, tumor stage were not significantly different between the two groups(all P>0.05). Operation time of the first 15 cases in delta-shaped group was longer than that in Billroth group [(254.7±35.4) min vs. (177.8±33.0) min, t=11.190, P=0.000], while after above 15 cases, the operation time of delta-shaped group was significantly shorter than that of Billroth group [(142.1±14.6) min vs. (177.8±33.0) min, t=-4.109, P=0.001]. Delta-shaped group had less blood loss during operation [(87.1±36.7) ml vs. (194.0±55.1) ml, t=-10.268, P=0.000], and shorter length of incision [(4.1±0.4) cm vs. (6.1±1.0) cm, t=-10.331, P=0.000] than Billroth group. Compared with Billroth group, delta-shaped group presented faster postoperative bowel function return [(2.8±0.6) d vs. (3.3±0.5) d, t=-3.755, P=0.000], earlier liquid food intake [(7.4±1.5) d vs. (8.1±1.7) d, t=-4.135, P=0.000], earlier ambulation [(4.0±1.6) d vs. (6.8±1.4) d, t=-7.197, P=0.000] and shorter postoperative hospital stay [(12.6±1.9) d vs.(13.6±2.0) d, t=-20.149, P=0.000]. Morbidity of postoperative complication was 5.9%(2/34) in delta-shaped group, including anastomotic fistula in 1 case and incision infection in 1 case, and 6.0%(5/83) in Billroth group, including anastomotic fistula, incision infection, anastomotic stricture and dumping syndrome, without significant difference(P>0.05). Difference value of total protein and albumin between pre-operation and post-operation, and average decreased value of total protein, albumin, body weight between pre-operation and postoperative 6-month were not significantly different between two groups(all P>0.05). As for patients with BMI > 25 kg/m, compared to Billroth group, delta-shaped group presented less blood loss during operation [(94.1±36.7) ml vs. (203.0±55.1) ml, t=-10.268, P=0.000], lower injective dosage of postoperative analgesics [(1.9±1.1) ampule vs.(3.3±2.0) ampule, t=-2.188, P=0.032], faster intestinal recovery [(2.9±0.7) d vs. (3.2±0.9) d, t=-3.755, P=0.009], shorter hospital stay [(10.5±1.2) d vs. (11.7±1.5) d, t=-2.026, P=0.004], and lower morbidity of postoperative complication [7.1%(1/14) vs. 13.6%(3/22), χ=4.066, P=0.031].

CONCLUSIONIn laparoscopic distal gastrectomy and digestive tract reconstruction, the delta-shaped anastomosis is safe and feasible, especially suitable for obese patients.

Anastomosis, Surgical ; adverse effects ; methods ; Blood Loss, Surgical ; statistics & numerical data ; Comparative Effectiveness Research ; Constriction, Pathologic ; epidemiology ; etiology ; Defecation ; Digestive System Fistula ; epidemiology ; etiology ; Drinking ; Dumping Syndrome ; epidemiology ; etiology ; Female ; Gastrectomy ; adverse effects ; methods ; Gastroenterostomy ; adverse effects ; methods ; Humans ; Laparoscopy ; adverse effects ; methods ; Length of Stay ; Male ; Operative Time ; Postoperative Complications ; epidemiology ; Postoperative Period ; Recovery of Function ; Retrospective Studies ; Stomach Neoplasms ; surgery ; Surgical Wound ; Surgical Wound Infection ; epidemiology ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo compare the long-term survival of total laparoscopic radical distal gastrectomy (TLDG) with delta-shaped anastomosis and laparoscopic assisted radical distal gastrectomy (LADG) with tubular anastomosis.

METHODSThe study retrospectively analyzed the clinical and pathologic data of 160 distal gastric cancer patients who underwent laparoscopic radical distal gastrectomy with Billroth I anastomosis at the First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University from December 2012 to March 2015. All the patients were definitively diagnosed as primary gastric carcinoma before operation, and no evidences of invasion to adjacent organs, distant metastasis or enlarged fused lymph nodes around important vessels were discovered by image tests. Eighty-six patients underwent TLDG with delta-shaped anastomosis (delta-shaped anastomosis group, DSG) and 74 patients underwent LADG with tubular anastomosis (tubular anastomosis group, TAG) in two surgery teams who had different experience of gastroduodenostomy. All the patients agreed the operation and signed informed consent. All patients followed until October 2015 when the final cumulative survival rate was counted. Survival was analyzed by Kaplan-Meier method.

RESULTSThe baseline data were comparable and operations were successfully completed. Postoperative follow-up time of DSG was 7-32 months, follow-up rate was 91%(78/86), and 11 of whom died of the gastric cancer. The cumulative survival rate by the end of the follow-up was 82.8%. Postoperative follow-up time of TAG was 7-33 months, follow-up rate was 95%(70/74), 7 of whom died of the gastric cancer. The cumulative survival rate by the end of the follow-up was 81.7%. The intergroup difference of cumulative survival rate was not significant(χ(2)=1.210, P=0.271). No stage I patient died of gastric cancer in both groups. The cumulative survival rate by the end of the follow-up of stage II was 87.2% vs. 93.3%(DAG vs. TAG, χ(2)=0.426, P=0.514) ,and in stage III was 65.3% vs. 37.6%(DAG vs. TAG, χ(2)=0.718, P=0.397), and the differences were not significant.

CONCLUSIONThe TLDG with delta-shaped anastomosis and LADG with tubular anastomosis have similar long-term survival for distal gastric cancer treatment.

Anastomosis, Surgical ; Carcinoma ; surgery ; Gastrectomy ; methods ; Gastroenterostomy ; Humans ; Laparoscopy ; Lymph Nodes ; pathology ; Postoperative Period ; Reconstructive Surgical Procedures ; Retrospective Studies ; Stomach Neoplasms ; surgery

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the long-term clinical outcomes between laparoscopic and open distal gastrectomy with D2 lymph dissection for advanced gastric cancer.

METHODSClinical data of 377 cases of laparoscopic distal gastrectomy and 301 cases of open distal gastrectomy with D2 lymph dissection at the Southwest Hospital, the Third Military Medical University from January 2004 to June 2010 were retrospectively analyzed. Patients were followed up until September 2015. Surgical outcomes, postoperative complications and long-term survival were compared between the two groups.

RESULTSCompared with conventional open group, laparoscopic group was associated with lower intraoperative blood loss [(125±89) ml vs. (290±161) ml, t=-15.942, P=0.000], shorter time to oral intake [(2.9±0.7) days vs. (4.1±1.6) days, t=-12.120, P=0.000], quicker bowel function retum[(2.7±1.4) days vs. (3.6±1.6) days, t=-7.804, P=0.000], shorter postoperative hospital stay [(7.7±3.6) days vs. (10.1±4.1) days, t=-8.107, P=0.000]. In addition, there were no significant differences in the operative time[(207±57) minutes vs. (202±43) minutes, P>0.05], number of retrieved lymph nodes(33±13 vs. 31±15, P>0.05), resection margin length(P>0.05) between two groups. The postoperative complication morbidity in laparoscopic group was significantly lower than that in open group[7.2%(22/377) vs. 12.6%(38/301), χ(2)=5.762, P=0.016]. Within perioperative period, 7 patients underwent operation again due to complication and 1 case died of peritoneal bleeding in laparoscopic group; 6 patients underwent re-operation and 2 cases died of peritoneal infection with hepatic failure and lung infection with respiratory failure. During the median follow-up of 86 months (range from 3-140 months), relapse occurred in 171(45.4%) patients and 183(48.5%, among them, 156 cases died of primary disease) patients died in laparoscopic group; relapse occurred in 140(46.5%) patients and 151(50.2%, among them, 127 cases died of primary disease) patients died in open group. The difference in overall 5-year survival rate between two groups was not statistically significant (51.5% vs. 49.8%, χ(2)=0.142, P=0.706). No significant difference was seen in 5-year disease-free survival rate (49.1% vs. 47.8%, χ(2)=0.062, P=0.803). Stratified analysis based on TNM stage also showed no significant difference in 5-year overall or disease-free survival rate(both P>0.05).

CONCLUSIONLaparoscopic distal gastrectomy with D2 lymph dissection for advanced gastric cancer has better short-term efficacy and similar long-tern efficacy as compared to open surgery.

Blood Loss, Surgical ; Defecation ; Disease-Free Survival ; Gastrectomy ; methods ; Gastroenterostomy ; Humans ; Laparoscopy ; Length of Stay ; Lymph Node Excision ; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local ; Operative Time ; Postoperative Complications ; Postoperative Period ; Retrospective Studies ; Stomach Neoplasms ; surgery ; Survival Rate ; Treatment Outcome