Intraluminal resection of gastric tumors using intragastric trocar technique.

Introduction: We are presenting our experiences with combined laparoscopic and endoscopic approaches applied to the minimally invasive intragastric resection of the gastric tumors.

Patients And Method: We performed the above-mentioned combined intragastric resection in 7 patients. The intragastric resection is only used with posterior gastric wall tumors and tumors located near the cardia and the pylorus. For this approach, only 1 trocar is placed into the stomach to intragastrically introduce the endostapler. We used 2 trocars (5 mm) into the abdominal cavity for laparoscopy.

Results: We have performed the combined laparoscopic and endoscopic intragastric resection in 7 patients. The tumor size was 38 ± 7 mm (28-48 mm). The histology revealed 6 gastrointestinal stromal tumors and 1 leiomyoma. All 7 patients began eating and drinking on the second postoperative day. None of the patients showed any intraoperative or postoperative complications. The median postoperative hospital stay was 6.1 days (4-7 d).

Conclusions: The combined intraluminal resection using 1 intragastric trocar of potential benign posterior gastric wall tumors, of tumors near the cardia and the pylorus is a safe surgical procedure with low invasivity and morbidity.