Laparoscopic gastric resection for benign and malignant conditions: lessons learned from 35 consecutive cases.

Introduction: Despite significant advances in laparoscopy, gastric surgery is still generally carried out by conventional open techniques. The aim of the study was to report the short- and medium-term outcomes of gastric surgery when carried out laparoscopically for a variety of benign and malignant conditions.

Methods: A retrospective review was carried out for all patients who underwent a laparoscopic gastric resection between January 2000 and September 2006. Follow up was carried out at the private consulting rooms and by telephone interview.

Results: Thirty-five consecutive laparoscopic gastric resection were carried out in 31 patients for a variety of benign lesions, six early gastric cancer and 13 adenocarcinomas. The totally intracorporeal laparoscopic procedures included four total, eight distal and 21 partial gastrectomies. There were two open conversions (6%). There was one in-hospital mortality (3%) and one non-fatal anastomotic leak. Median operative duration and length of stay were 75, 205 and 252 min and 5, 6.5 and 8 days for laparoscopic partial, distal and total gastrectomy, respectively. After malignant resections, there were six recurrences; however, 15 patients remained disease-free at up to 60 months follow up.

Conclusion: Laparoscopic gastric resection is feasible with good short- and medium-term results and may be an appropriate treatment option in selected cases.