In Seob Lee

Comparison of Totally Laparoscopic Total Gastrectomy and Open Total Gastrectomy for Gastric Cancer

BACKGROUND The technique of totally laparoscopic total gastrectomy (TLTG) has been developed for gastric cancer, but its feasibility and surgical outcomes remain unclear. This is the first study comparing the early surgical outcomes of TLTG with those of conventional open total gastrectomy (OTG) for gastric cancer. PATIENTS AND METHODS Between January 2011 and December 2011, 139 patients underwent TLTG, and 207 patients underwent OTG for gastric cancer; surgical procedures were selected by means of preoperative diagnostic tests under T3N2M0. Clinicopathologic characteristics and early surgical outcomes in the two groups were compared retrospectively. RESULTS There were no significant difference in preoperative characteristics between the two groups, and the durations of surgery were not significantly different. However, TLTG was superior to OTG in terms of time to first flatus, time to commencement of soft diet, pain score (visual analog scale), need for analgesics, length of hospital stay, and overall postoperative complications (each P<.05). The median number of lymph nodes harvested was significantly higher in the TLTG group (37 versus 34; P=.039). Resection margins were negative in all patients. CONCLUSIONS TLTG should be considered as a safe and practicable alternative to OTG for the treatment of gastric cancer. Moreover, it is less invasive and results in faster recovery than OTG.

Comparison of Totally Laparoscopic Total Gastrectomy and Laparoscopic-Assisted Total Gastrectomy Methods for the Surgical Treatment of Early Gastric Cancer Near the Gastroesophageal Junction

UNLABELLED Abstract Background: Several investigators have suggested methods for performing totally laparoscopic total gastrectomy (TLTG). However, even surgeons experienced in laparoscopic gastrectomy find it very hard to perform TLTG safely because it is a complex procedure. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of our TLTG method for the surgical treatment of early gastric cancer (EGC) located near the gastroesophageal junction (GEJ). SUBJECTS AND METHODS Between January 2010 and June 2011, 113 patients at a single institution underwent TLTG (n=90) or laparoscopic-assisted total gastrectomy (LATG) (n=23). Early surgical outcomes of the two techniques were compared to assess the effectiveness of TLTG for treating EGC near the GEJ. RESULTS The TLTG group included patients with higher body mass indexes (23.2 versus 22.2 kg/m(2), P=.037) and more overweight patients (22.2% versus 4.0%, P=.041) than the LATG group. Despite this, the two groups had similar early surgical outcomes, such as mean operation time, intraoperative events, postoperative complications, time to first flatus, time to starting a soft diet, pain scores, analgesic requirements, and lengths of hospital stay. CONCLUSIONS The results of TLTG were favorable even though a high proportion of the subjects were overweight. TLTG for EGC near the GEJ could be the best way to improve early surgical outcomes of EGC in overweight patients provided it is performed by surgeons who are experienced in laparoscopic gastrectomy.

Effect of Intravenous Ferric Carboxymaltose on Hemoglobin Response Among Patients With Acute Isovolemic Anemia Following Gastrectomy: The FAIRY Randomized Clinical Trial

Importance Acute isovolemic anemia occurs when blood loss is replaced with fluid. It is often observed after surgery and negatively influences short-term and long-term outcomes. Objective To evaluate the efficacy and safety of ferric carboxymaltose to treat acute isovolemic anemia following gastrectomy. Design, Setting, and Participants The FAIRY trial was a patient-blinded, randomized, phase 3, placebo-controlled, 12-week study conducted between February 4, 2013, and December 15, 2015, in 7 centers across the Republic of Korea. Patients with a serum hemoglobin level of 7 g/dL to less than 10 g/dL at 5 to 7 days following radical gastrectomy were included. Interventions Patients were randomized to receive a 1-time or 2-time injection of 500 mg or 1000 mg of ferric carboxymaltose according to body weight (ferric carboxymaltose group, 228 patients) or normal saline (placebo group, 226 patients). Main Outcomes and Measures The primary end point was the number of hemoglobin responders, defined as a hemoglobin increase of 2 g/dL or more from baseline, a hemoglobin level of 11 g/dL or more, or both at week 12. Secondary end points included changes in hemoglobin, ferritin, and transferrin saturation levels over time, percentage of patients requiring alternative anemia management (oral iron, transfusion, or both), and quality of life at weeks 3 and 12. Results Among 454 patients who were randomized (mean age, 61.1 years; women, 54.8%; mean baseline hemoglobin level, 9.1 g/dL), 96.3% completed the trial. At week 12, the number of hemoglobin responders was significantly greater for ferric carboxymaltose vs placebo (92.2% [200 patients] for the ferric carboxymaltose group vs 54.0% [115 patients] for the placebo group; absolute difference, 38.2% [95% CI, 33.6%-42.8%]; P = .001). Compared with the placebo group, patients in the ferric carboxymaltose group experienced significantly greater improvements in serum ferritin level (week 12: 233.3 ng/mL for the ferric carboxymaltose group vs 53.4 ng/mL for the placebo group; absolute difference, 179.9 ng/mL [95% CI, 150.2-209.5]; P = .001) and transferrin saturation level (week 12: 35.0% for the ferric carboxymaltose group vs 19.3% for the placebo group; absolute difference, 15.7% [95% CI, 13.1%-18.3%]; P = .001); but there were no significant differences in quality of life. Patients in the ferric carboxymaltose group required less alternative anemia management than patients in the placebo group (1.4% for the ferric carboxymaltose group vs 6.9% for the placebo group; absolute difference, 5.5% [95% CI, 3.3%-7.6%]; P = .006). The total rate of adverse events was higher in the ferric carboxymaltose group (15 patients [6.8%], including injection site reactions [5 patients] and urticaria [5 patients]) than the placebo group (1 patient [0.4%]), but no severe adverse events were reported in either group. Conclusion and Relevance Among adults with isovolemic anemia following radical gastrectomy, the use of ferric carboxymaltose compared with placebo was more likely to result in improved hemoglobin response at 12 weeks. Trial Registration clinicaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT01725789

Appropriate gastrectomy resection margins for early gastric carcinoma

In Korea and Japan, early gastric cancer (EGC) accounts for >50% of all gastric cancers. Here, we propose recommendations for the optimal distance from the tumor to the resection margins when evaluating EGC.

Reconstruction of esophagojejunostomies using endoscopic linear staplers in totally laparoscopic total gastrectomy: report of 139 cases in a large-volume center.

Totally laparoscopic total gastrectomy for gastric cancer is not a commonly performed procedure due to the technical difficulty. We devised a technique for intracorporeal esophagojejunostomy after laparoscopic total gastrectomy. In the reconstruction, nearly two thirds of the diameter of the esophagus was transected with an endoscopic linear stapler and the unstapled esophagus was transected with laparoscopic scissors. First suture was created at the end of the stapled line and second suture was created at the esophagostomy. During the reconstruction, assistants retracted the 2 sutures to prevent slippage of the esophageal stump into the thoracic cavity. Finally the remnant entry hole was closed with an endoscopic linear stapler. This reconstruction was successfully performed in all patients; none of the patients required conversion to open surgery. All operations were curative and there were no deaths. This method can be performed easily and safely, and may become a powerful alternative procedure for totally laparoscopic total gastrectomy.

Laparoscopic gastrectomy in patients with previous gastrectomy for gastric cancer: a report of 17 cases.

Background: Laparoscopic gastrectomy (LAG) is increasingly used as a treatment for gastric cancer. However, it is contraindicated in patients with previous abdominal surgery, because of a higher risk of enteric injury, technical difficulties associated with adhesions, and longer operative times. The aim of this study was to assess the feasibility and clinical outcomes of LAG in patients who had previously undergone gastrectomy for gastric cancer. Materials and Methods: Between June 2008 and May 2012, we performed laparoscopic gastrectomies in 17 patients with remnant stomach cancer who had previously undergone open gastrectomy (10 patients) or LAG (7 patients) for early gastric cancer. We performed laparoscopic distal gastrectomies with Roux-en-Y gastrojejunostomy in 10 patients, and laparoscopic total gastrectomies in 7 patients. Results: None of the patients required conversion to open surgery or intraoperative transfusion. One patient with postoperative bleeding received a transfusion of 4 U of blood. There were 2 cases of serious postoperative complications: 1 internal herniation and 1 anastomosis leakage. One patient experienced tractitis at the trocar site. All patients had tumor-free resection margins, and there were no mortalities. Conclusion: LAG is a safe and realistic treatment for patients who have previously undergone gastrectomy, although it may be associated with an increased need for adhesiolysis and longer surgery times.

Analysis of Predictive Risk Factors for Postoperative Complications of Laparoscopy-Assisted Distal Gastrectomy

BACKGROUND Despite the popularity of laparoscopic-assisted distal gastrectomy (LADG), studies have reported a high incidence of postoperative complications in patients who have had LADG. The present study explores the preoperative risk factors for complications from LADG. PATIENTS AND METHODS This study involves 1257 patients who underwent standardized LADG in a single institution between January 2006 and June 2011. The risk factors for postoperative complications of LADG were evaluated by univariate and multivariate analyses. RESULTS In univariate analysis of overall postoperative complications, there were significant effects of age (above 65 years), obesity (a body mass index above 25 kg/m(2)), comorbidity, cerebrovascular disease, heart disease, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and combined comorbidities (three or more). Multivariate analysis of these risk factors showed that old age (P=.006), obesity (P<.001), and heart disease (P=.014) were independent risk factors for postoperative complications. Univariate analysis showed that obesity also had a significant effect on severe postoperative complications. CONCLUSIONS Older age, obesity, and heart disease are risk factors for postoperative complications after LADG. Greater caution or more limited surgery is required to reduce the high rate of complications in patients with these risk factors.

Intracorporeal Laparoscopic Roux-en-Y Gastrojejunostomy After 95% Gastrectomy for Early Gastric Cancer in the Upper Third of the Stomach: A Report on 21 Cases

BACKGROUND Many reconstructive procedures have been developed in an effort to resolve complications after total gastrectomy (TG). However, anatomical disruption of the esophagogastric junction, especially the low esophageal sphincter, still occurs so that postoperative complications continue to arise. In this study, we developed a procedure for intracorporeal laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastrojejunostomy (RYGJ) after 95% (near-total) gastrectomy, to reduce postoperative complications in early gastric cancer (EGC) of the upper third of the stomach. PATIENTS AND METHODS Laparoscopic RYGJ after 95% gastrectomy was performed on 21 patients with EGC in the upper third of the stomach between May 2011 and April 2012 in Asan Medical Center, Seoul, Korea. The resection line of the stomach was marked using metallic preoperative endoscopic clips and intraoperative laparascopic vessel clips together with a portable abdominal radiograph. Approximately 95% of the stomach was transected using an endoscopic linear stapler, and an antecolic side-to-side gastrojejunal anastomosis was created between the posterior side of the gastric remnant and the antimesenteric side of the jejunal limb, also using an endoscopic linear stapler. The entry hole was first closed in approximate fashion with three sutures, and closure was completed with an endoscopic linear stapler. RESULTS Intracorporeal laparoscopic RYGJ after 95% gastrectomy was successfully performed in all patients. No patients required conversion to open surgery or other laparoscopic anastomosis techniques. No postoperative complications occurred. All patients had tumor-free resection margins, and there was no mortality. CONCLUSIONS Intracorporeal laparoscopic RYGJ after 95% gastrectomy can be performed easily and safely. We recommend this method over laparoscopic TG or open TG for treatment of EGC in the upper third of the stomach.

Laparoscopic surgery for submucosal tumor near the esophagogastric junction.

BACKGROUND Laparoscopic surgery is widely accepted as a treatment for gastric submucosal tumors (SMTs). However, laparoscopy is not easily applied to tumors near the esophagogastric junction (EGJ). This study was conducted to evaluate laparoscopic techniques for treating SMTs near the EGJ. SUBJECTS AND METHODS Between March 2008 and August 2012 at the Asan Medical Center, Seoul, Korea, we performed laparoscopic surgery on 71 patients who had SMTs located within 3 cm of the EGJ. The laparoscopic approach chosen depended on the position of the tumor, which was located accurately by preoperative diagnosis. RESULTS None of the patients required conversion to open surgery. Of the 71 patients in the study, 66 had laparoscopic wedge resection (LAPWR), 4 had laparoscopic enucleation, and 1 had laparoscopic proximal gastrectomy. Two patients had intraoperative events during LAPWR. One had EGJ stricture, which required laparoscopic esophagogastrostomy. The other had a muscle defect of the posterior wall of the distal esophagus, and the defect was covered using fundus-like fundoplication. All patients had tumor-free resection margins, and there were no deaths. CONCLUSIONS Laparoscopic resection of SMTs near the EGJ may be performed safely. The laparoscopic approach used depends on the location and size of the tumor and on the extent of gastric resection.