Laparoscopy-assisted vs open total gastrectomy with D2 lymphadenectomy for advanced gastric cancer: results of a retrospective, multicenter study

The aim of this study was to retrospectively compare the results of laparoscopy-assisted total gastrectomy (LATG) with those of open total gastrectomy (OTG) for advanced gastric cancer. Patients undergoing total gastrectomy for a T4a, N0-3a-b, M0 gastric adenocarcinoma were divided into two groups. Patients in group A (n = 122) underwent LAG, whereas patients in group B (n = 109) underwent OTG. Mean length of follow-up was 39 months. Primary study’s endpoints were postoperative mortality and morbidity, overall late survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS). Secondary endpoints were the number of retrieved lymph nodes, operating time, intraoperative blood loss, postoperative length of stay (LOS) and the incidence of local recurrence. Twenty-four patients in group A (19.6%) required conversion into OTG. Postoperative mortality was absent in both groups. Postoperative morbidity was 19% in group A and 11% in group B [p = 0.19]. OS was 34% in group A and 42% in group B [p = 0.21]. DFS was 29% in group A and 33% in group B [p = 0.49]. Mean number of retrieved lymph nodes was 29 in group A and 34 in group B [p < 0.01]. Mean intraoperative blood loss was 230 ml in group A and 180 ml in group B [p = 0.02]. Mean postoperative LOS was 9 days in group A and 11 days in group B [p = 0.09]. Local recurrence was 19% in group A and 13% in group B [p = 0.20]. For advanced gastric cancer, OTG favorably compares with LATG.