11p Lymph Nodes Research Articles

Comparison of the learning curve of robot-assisted and laparoscopic-assisted gastrectomy.

Da Vinci robot technology is widely used in clinic,with minimally invasive surgery development. This study aims to explore the possible influence of advanced surgical robotics on the surgery learning curve by comparing the initial clinical learning curves of 2 different surgical techniques: robotic-assisted gastrectomy (RAG) and laparoscopic-assisted gastrectomy (LAG). From September 2017 to December 2020, a chief surgeon completed a total of 108 cases of radical gastric cancer from the initial stage, including 27 cases of RAG of the Da Vinci Si robotic system (RAG group) and 81 cases of LAG (LAG group). The lymph node of gastric cancer implemented by the Japanese treatment guidelines of gastric cancer. The surgical results, postoperative complications, oncology results and learning curve were analyzed. There was no significant difference in general data, tumor size, pathological grade and clinical stage between the 2 groups (P>0.05). The incidence of serious complications in the RAG group was lower than the LAG group (P=0.003). The intraoperative blood loss in the RAG group was lower than that in the LAG group (P=0.046). The number of lymph nodes cleaned in the RAG group was more (P=0.003), among which there was obvious advantage in lymph node cleaning in the No.9 group (P=0.038) and 11p group (P=0.015). The operation time of the RAG group was significantly longer than the LAG group (P=0.015). The analysis of learning curve found that the cumulative sum analysis (CUSUM) value of the RAG group decreased from the 10th case, while the CUSUM of the LAG group decreased from the 28th case. The learning curve of the RAG group had fewer closing cases than that of the LAG group. The unique design of the surgical robot might help to improve the surgical efficiency and shorten the surgical learning curve. Advanced robotics helps experienced surgeons quickly learn to master RAG skills. With the help of robotics, RAG are superior to LAG in No.9 and 11p lymph node dissection and surgical trauma reduction. RAG can clear more lymph nodes than LAG, and has better perioperative effect.

Clinical significance of No.11p posterior lymph nodes dissection in gastric cancer surgery

Objective: To analyze the association of No.11p posterior lymph node metastasis with clinicopathological features and its prognostic significance in gastric cancer. Methods: A single-center retrospective cohort study was conducted. Clinicopathological data of patients with primary gastric cancers undergoing No.11p posterior lymph node dissection from January 2016 to December 2020 were retrieved from the Database of Gastric Cancer, West China Hospital, Sichuan University. Case inclusion criteria: (1) gastric cancer proved by pathology; (2) radical resection with intraoperative No.11p posterior lymph node dissection; (3) operations performed by the same surgical team; (4) no previous history of other malignant tumors and no concurrent malignant tumors. Those with stump gastric cancer, history of gastrectomy, neoadjuvant chemotherapy, incomplete clinicopathological data and lost to follow-up were excluded. During the operation, the upper edge of the pancreas was retracted forward to expose the area between the upper edge of the pancreas and the splenic vessels. The proximal segment of the splenic artery was skeletonized to remove lymphatic tissue anterior and superior to the splenic artery for No.11p lymph node dissection. For patients with lymphadenopathy in the area between the splenic artery and the splenic vein, dissection was performed. The enlarged lymph nodes were labeled with titanium clips and named as No.11p posterior lymph node. Pathological examination was performed separately after the specimen was isolated. Statistical analysis was performed using R software. Results: A total of 127 gastric cancer patients, who underwent No.11p posterior lymph nodes dissection were included in this study, of which 120 patients without No.11p posterior lymph nodes metastasis (No.11p posterior lymph nodes negative) and 7 patients with No.11p posterior lymph nodes metastasis (No.11p posterior lymph nodes positive). A total of 8 metastatic No.11p posterior lymph nodes were detected in 7 patients, metastasis rate and with a ratio of 5.5% (7/127) and 6.8% (8/127), respectively. In the subgroup analysis of T3-4 stage patients, the metastasis rate and ratio of No.11p posterior lymph nodes were 9.0% (7/78) and 10.7% (8/75), respectively. Compared to negative cases, patients with No.11p posterior lymph nodes metastasis had larger tumor (P=0.002), higher proportion of Borrmann type Ⅲ and Ⅳ tumors (P=0.005), more metastatic lymph nodes (P<0.001), more advanced T stage (P=0.043), N stage (P=0.004) and TNM stage (P=0.015). In survival analysis, patients with No.11p posterior lymph node metastasis had a significantly worse prognosis than those without metastasis after adjusting for TNM stage (hazard ratio=3.009, 95% confidence interval: 1.824-4.964, P<0.001). Conclusions: The No.11p posterior lymph node metastasis in gastric cancer is associated with worse prognosis. For patients of T3-4 stage gastric cancer, No.11p posterior lymph node dissection should be emphasized during radical operation.

The impact of robotic technology on the learning curve for robot-assisted gastrectomy in the initial clinical application stage.

To evaluate the impact of robotic technology on the learning curve for robot-assisted gastrectomy in the initial clinical application stage and to compare RAG with laparoscopic-assisted gastrectomy using a short-term evaluation. Between September 2016 and December 2018, 111 consecutive distal gastric cancer patients who were candidates for RAG or LAG were prospectively enrolled. Operative findings, morbidity, oncological findings, and the learning curve were analyzed. Thirty patients underwent RAG with the da Vinci Si robot system, and eighty-one patients underwent LAG. Blood loss was lower during RAG than during LAG (133.80 ± 95.28 vs. 178.83 ± 98.37, P = 0.046). The operative time for RAG was significantly longer (304.45 ± 42.08 vs. 281.17 ± 32.69, P = 0.015). The number of retrieved lymph nodes (LNs) was greater (37.33 ± 8.25 vs. 32.78 ± 5.98, P = 0.003) with RAG. Notably, RAG had an advantage in the dissection of No. 9 and 11p LNs (3.56 ± 1.76 vs. 2.78 ± 1.30, P = 0.038; 2.48 ± 0.93 vs. 1.99 ± 0.84, P = 0.015, respectively). Severe complications were less frequent in the RAG group (7 (8.6%) vs. 1 (3.3%), P = 0.003). No significant differences in terms of postoperative recovery were found between the two groups. The learning curve for RAG showed that the cumulative sum value decreased from the 10th case, while it decreased from the 28th case in the LAG group. By means of robotic technology, RAG is better than LAG for the dissection of No. 9 and 11p LNs and for the alleviation of surgical trauma, and the technique is learned more rapidly during the preliminary stage than the LAG technique.

Significance of prediction of the dorsal landmark using three-dimensional computed tomography during laparoscopic lymph node dissection along the proximal splenic artery in gastric cancer.

Objectives:Dissection of the No. 11p lymph nodes is technically challenging because of variations in anatomical landmarks. This study aimed to determine the accuracy and efficacy of predicting the dorsal landmark of No. 11p lymph node using three-dimensional computed tomography simulation.Methods:Laparoscopic gastrectomy with No. 11p lymph node dissection with preoperative simulation using three-dimensional computed tomography was performed in 24 patients at our institution from October 2016 to May 2018. Initially, preoperative three-dimensional computed tomography findings with operative videos in these 24 patients were compared. The dorsal landmark was defined as an anatomical structure behind the splenic artery on preoperative three-dimensional computed tomography and operative videos. The dorsal landmark of No. 11p lymph node was divided into four types: (1) splenic vein type, (2) splenic vein and pancreas type, (3) pancreas type, and (4) unclear type. Then, to investigate the efficacy of three-dimensional computed tomography, we compared the clinical and pathological features and surgical outcomes of nine patients who underwent preoperative three-dimensional computed tomography simulation (three-dimensional computed tomography group) and 23 patients who did not undergo three-dimensional computed tomography simulation from August 2014 to September 2016 (non-three-dimensional computed tomography group). All procedures were performed by one surgeon certified by the Endoscopic Surgical Skill Qualification System in Japan.Results:The concordance rate between three-dimensional computed tomography and operative videos of the dorsal landmark using three-dimensional computed tomography was 79% (19/24). The operative time of No. 11p lymph node dissection was significantly shorter in the three-dimensional computed tomography group than in the non-three-dimensional computed tomography group (7.7 versus 15.8 min, P = 0.044).Conclusion:The accuracy of predicting the dorsal landmark of No. 11p lymph node using three-dimensional computed tomography was extremely high. Preoperative simulation with three-dimensional computed tomography was useful in shortening the operative time of No. 11p lymph node dissection.

Lymphadenectomy in supra-pancreatic area during laparoscopy-assisted D2 radical distal gastrectomy

Laparoscopy-assisted D2 radical distal gastrectomy has been acknowledged as standard procedure for local advanced gastric cancer. But due to the abundant blood vessels and complicated anatomy of the stomach, lymphadenectomy has been considered as one of the difficulties of the operation, especially in the supra-pancreatic area. This article is to share the experiences of this topic from Department of Gastrointestinal Oncology Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xiamen University with the following five aspects. (1) How to dissect No.11p lymph nodes thoroughly and whether the exposure of splenic vein is needed? (2) Is it necessary to reveal portal vein during the lymphadenectomy of supra-pylorus and supra-pancreatic areas?(3) During laparoscopic operation, where is the posterior boundary of No.9 lymph nodes at the right side of celiac artery?(4) How to make it easier, safer, and more complete for supra-pancreatic lymphadenectomy? (5) How to deal with the tandem enlarged lymph nodes at the right side of celiac artery? According to the authors' experiences of laparoscopic radical gastrectomy, the following points may be helpful to make the supra-pancreatic lymphadenectomy safe, complete, and standard: (1) Transection of vessels of duodenum, right stomach and left stomach in advance will make the lymphadenectomy at the right side of the celiac artery easier. (2) The exposure of splenic vein as far as possible is necessary during the dissection of No.11p lymph nodes, and it is necessary to dissect the lymph-adipose tissue at the posterior-superior border of splenic artery and pancreas in front of Gerota fascia. (3) The left side of portal vein must be revealed initiatively for dissection of No.12a lymph nodes. (4) The lymph-adipose tissue must be dissected at the included angle of common hepatic artery and celiac artery and the right wall of the celiac artery should be revealed during the dissection of No.8a and the right side of No.9 lymph nodes. (5) The exposure of portal vein and the transection of left gastric vein at the root will make the dissection of this area safer and complete. (6) En bloc D2 plus operation will be a better option, when comfronted with tandem enlarged lymph nodes at the right side of celiac artery.

Application value of π-shaped Roux-en-Y esophagojejunostomy in totally laparoscopic total gastrectomy

Objective To investigate the application value of π-shaped esophagojejunostomy in totally laparoscopic total gastrectomy. Methods The retrospective and descriptive study was conducted. The clinicopathological data of 3 patients who underwent totally laparoscopic total gastrectomy in the Beijing Friendship Hospital of Capital Medical University between October 2016 and March 2017 were collected. Patients received π-shaped Roux-en-Y esophagojejunostomy. Patients who were diagnosed with Ⅱ and above stages by pathological examination underwent postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy with oxaliplatin + tegafur gimeracil oteracil. Observation indicators: (1) surgical and postoperative recovery situations; (2) follow-up and survival situations. The follow-up using outpatient examination and telephone interview was performed to detect postoperative adjuvant therapy and survival up to March 2018. Results (1) Surgical and postoperative recovery situations: 3 patients underwent successfully totally laparoscopic total gastrectomy, and π-shaped Roux-en-Y esophagojejunostomy was also performed. Case 1 had injury of spleen vessel when No 11p lymph nodes were dissected and then received successful hemostasis, and case 2 and 3 didn′t have complication. Operation time, digestive tract reconstruction time, volume of intraoperative blood loss, time to anal exsufflation and postoperative drainage-tube removal time of case 1, 2 and 3 were respectively 376 minutes, 290 minutes, 284 minutes and 26 minutes, 30 minutes, 24 minutes and 500 mL, 100 mL, 200 mL and 2 days, 3 days, 3 days and 4 days, 4 days, 5 days. Case 3 with left pleural effusion was cured by puncture and drainage treating, and case 1 and 2 didn′t have complication. Three patients were not complicated with anastomotic stoma-related complicaions. Results of postoperative pathological examination: number of lymph node dissected and TNM staging of case 1, 2 and 3 were respectively 20, 17, 20 and T1aN0M0 staging, T3N3M0 staging, T1bN0M0 staging. Duration of hospital stay in case 1, 2 and 3 was respectively 7 days, 8 days and 11 days. (2) Follow-up and survival situations: 3 patients were followed up, and follow-up time of case 1, 2 and 3 was respectively 18 months, 16 months, 12 months. During the follow-up, case 2 received postoperative adjuvant therapy, and then underwent palliative treatment of Paclitaxel and Xeloda after the case was rechecked out multiple liver metastases at postoperative month 12. Case 1 and 3 had disease-free survival. Conclusion The π-Shaped esophagojejunostomy is safe and feasible for totally laparoscopic total gastrectomy, and it can be used as an alternative to digestive tract reconstruction. Key words: Gastric neoplasms; Total gastrectomy; Digestive tract reconstruction; Esophagojejunostomy; Laparoscopy

Application of clockwise modularized lymphadenectomy in laparoscopic gastrectomy for gastric cancer

To investigate the feasibility and efficacy of clockwise modularized lymphadenectomy in laparoscopic gastrectomy for gastric cancer. Clinical data of 19 cases who underwent the laparoscopic clockwise modularized lymphadenectomy for gastric cancer (clockwise group) from July 2016 to September 2016 were analyzed retrospectively. The clockwise modularized lymphadenectomy included the fixed operative order, detailed procedure and requirement of lymphadenectomy, which mainly reflected in assisting the exposure of operative field and dissection of lymph nodes through suspending the liver and banding the greater omentum, as well as proposing the requirements and attentions for the dissections of each station of lymph nodes to facilitate the quality control of lymphadenectomy. The operative time, intraoperative complications, intraoperative estimate blood loss, number of total harvested lymph nodes, morbidity and postoperative recovery, were compared with the data of another 19 cases who received traditional lymphadenectomy from January 2016 to June 2016 (control group). The baseline data were comparable between two groups. All the patients were performed successfully by laparoscopy without conversion and intraoperative complications. The operative time, intraoperative estimated blood loss and number of total harvested lymph node were (278.4±29.9) min, (91.1±41.6) ml and 38.2±15.1 in clockwise group, and were (296.7±30.3) min, (102.2±32.2) ml and 37.0±12.3 in control group without significant differences (all P>0.05). However, the mean number of retrieved No.11p lymph nodes was 2.2±1.8 in clockwise group, which was significantly higher than that in control group (0.8±1.0) (P=0.013). Four patients in each group suffered from pulmonary infections, who were cured by conservative therapies. There was no anastomotic leakage, intraperitoneal hemorrhage, intraperitoneal infection or intestinal obstruction in each group. The clockwise modularized lymphadenectomy can contribute to the facilitation of the retraction and exposure, decrease of the surgical duration and intraoperative blood loss, and radicalization of lymph node dissection, especially for the lymph nodes dissection around the celiac trunk.

Totally laparoscopic complete bursectomy and D2 lymphadenectomy in radical total gastrectomy: an outside bursa omentalis approach.

Bursectomy is regarded as a standard surgical procedure during gastrectomy for serosa-positive gastric cancer in Japanese gastric cancer treatment guidelines (Japanese Gastric Cancer Association in Gastric Cancer 14:113-123, 2011). As a consequence, bursectomy is widely performed in open gastrectomy. However, laparoscopic gastrectomy with bursectomy is rare. Based on our previous experience of laparoscopic bursectomy in distal gastrectomy (Zou et al. in Oncol Lett 10:99-102, 2015), herein, we described the technique of totally laparoscopic radical total gastrectomy with complete bursectomy using an outside bursa omentalis approach. Firstly, the transverse mesocolon and distal gastric membrane were separated from right to left, and the right gastroepiploica vessels were ligated at root with No. 6 lymph nodes (LNs) dissection followed by the pancreas membrane dissection from pancreas head to pancreas tail. Secondly, the anterior plane of transverse mesocolon was dissected from left to right starting from the lower pole of spleen, and the membrane of pancreas tail was separated to combine the pancreas anterior plane with No. 4s, 10, 11d and 2 LNs dissection. Thirdly, the lesser omental was dissected from right to left with No. 5 and 12a LNs dissection, and the duodenum was transected. Then, the No. 7, 8, 9 and 11p LNs were dissected followed by No. 1 LNs dissection. Finally, a Roux-en-Y esophagojejunostomy was carried out intracorporeally with a linear cutter. Thirty-two patients with advanced proximal gastric cancer underwent laparoscopic total gastrectomy with complete bursectomy using an approach outside bursa omentalis. One bowel obstruction and one pulmonary infection were recorded and cured with conservative measure. The mean operative time was 253.3±31.3min with a mean blood loss of 90.5±23.1ml. The mean length of stay was 10.6±2.6days. Laparoscopic radical total gastrectomy with complete bursectomy using an outside bursa omentalis approach is feasible and safe in experienced hands with favorable short outcome. Further studies were needed for its advanced application.

Laparoscopic Suprapancreatic Lymph Node Dissection for Advanced Gastric Cancer Using a Left-Sided Approach.

We developed a novel procedure for laparoscopic suprapancreatic lymph node (LN) dissection, which is compulsory and quite difficult for patients with advanced gastric cancer.1 (-) 3 METHODS: We dissected suprapancreatic LNs from the left to the right side. The No. 11p LNs were dissected first, followed by the No. 9, 7, and 8a LNs. Dissection of the No. 5 and 12a LNs was completed last. The above procedure was performed on 814 consecutive patients with stage cT2-3 disease. Mean operation time was 186.9 ± 56.4 min (range 80-480 min), mean blood loss was 76.6 ± 106.8 ml (range 3-500 ml), and mean times to first flatus, fluid diet, and soft diet were 3.7 ± 1.2 days (range 1-9 days), 5.2 ± 1.7 days (range 2-14 days), and 8.3 ± 2.2 days (range 5-20 days), respectively. A mean 34.5 ± 12.9 LNs (range 22-103) were retrieved, including a mean 12.4 ± 5.7 (range 0-35) suprapancreatic area LNs. Overall postoperative morbidity rate was 14.7 % (120/814), including three cases of pancreatic fistula. All of these postoperative complications were successfully treated by conservative methods. At a median follow-up of 27 months (range 1-63), cumulative 3-year overall survival was 59.2 %. Laparoscopic suprapancreatic LN dissection using a left-sided approach could be safely achieved and is more convenient for advanced gastric cancer.

Risk factors and prognostic significance of retropancreatic lymph nodes in gastric adenocarcinoma.

Background. The studies on risk factors and metastatic rate of retropancreatic (number 13) lymph nodes in gastric adenocarcinoma were few and the results were still controversial. The aim of this study was to elucidate risk factors and prognostic significance of number 13 lymph nodes in gastric adenocarcinoma. Method. From January 2000 to December 2011, 114 patients who underwent gastrectomy with number 13 lymph nodes dissection were enrolled and followed up to January 2014. Patients were grouped according to whether number 13 lymph nodes were positive or negative. Results. The metastatic rate of number 13 lymph nodes was 22.8%. In multivariate analysis, pT stage (P = 0.027), pN stage (P = 0.005), and number 11p (P = 0.015) lymph nodes were independent risk factors of positive number 13 lymph nodes. In all patients (P < 0.001) and subpopulation with TNM III stage (P = 0.007), positive number 13 lymph nodes had significantly worse prognosis than those of patients with negative number 13 LNs in Kaplan-Meier analysis. Conclusion. Number 13 lymph nodes had relatively high metastatic rate and led to poor prognosis. pT stage, pN stage, and number 11p lymph nodes were independent risk factors of positive number 13 lymph nodes.

Pure single-incision laparoscopic D2 lymphadenectomy for gastric cancer: a novel approach to 11p lymph node dissection (midpancreas mobilization).

We developed a novel approach to perform a perfect 11p lymph node dissection (LND), the so-called 'midpancreas mobilization' (MPM) method. Briefly, in pure single-incision laparoscopic distal gastrectomy (SIDG), after the completion of 7, 8a/12a, and 9 LND in the suprapancreatic portion, we started 11p LND after midpancreas mobilization. After mobilization of the entire midpancreas from the white line of Toldt, two gauzes were inserted behind the pancreas. This maneuver facilitated exposure of the splenic vein and complete detachment of soft tissue, including 11p lymph nodes, from the white line of Toldt, which was possible because of the tilting of the pancreas. The dissection plane along the splenic artery and vein for 11p LND could be visualized just through control of the operator's grasper without the need of an assistant. Fourteen patients underwent the procedure without intraoperative events, conversion to conventional laparoscopy, or surgery-related complications, including postoperative pancreatic fistula. All patients underwent D2 LND by exposure of the splenic vein. The mean numbers of retrieved lymph node and 11p lymph node were 61.3 ± 9.0 (range, 49-70), and 4.00 ± 3.38 (range, 1-10). Thus, we concluded that MPM for 11p LND in pure SIDG appears feasible and embryologically ideal; this method can be used in conventional laparoscopic gastrectomy.

Retrospective analysis of extended gastrectomy and lymphadenectomy in early gastric cancer patients

To objectively evaluate the practical significance of different extended surgeries in early gastric cancer(EGC) patients, and to choose reasonable gastrectomies and lymphadenectomies. A total of 217 EGC patients were investigated undergone normalized D2 or above extended surgery and their clinicopathological data were recorded in detail. The efficiency of the extended lymphadenectomies, complications and operation causes were analyzed, and the correlation between the group 2 lymph node metastasis (LNM) and clinicopathological factors were assessed, too. There was no nodal involvement in the No.5 and No.6 lymph nodes among the total gastrectomy in the upper third of the stomach, neither was in the No.10, 11p and 11d lymph nodes among the combined splenectomy, and neither was in the No.15 lymph nodes among the combined transverse mesocolon resection in the lower third of the stomach. There was no distant nodal involvement in the EGC. Above all, most of them were mistaken for advanced gastric cancer preoperatively and intraoperatively, the operation time was longer and the blood loss was more during operation. Among the resected nodes of group 2 in the lower third of the stomach, metastasis was not found in the No.11p, 12a and 14v lymph nodes. The rate of the No.7 and 8a nodal involvement in the submucosa cancer was higher than that in the mucosa cancer(P<0.05) and so did the No.7 in the lymphatic penetration positive(P<0.001). The No.1 and No.13 nodal involvement were only seen in the high risk cases, such as submucosa cancer, the lesion diameter more than 3.0 cm, depressed type and lymphatic involvement. It is not necessary to execute total gastrectomy in the upper third of the stomach, combined organ resection (such as splenectomy, transverse mesocolon resection), and distant lymph node dissection in the EGC. In the lower third of the stomach, the No.11p 12a and 14v lymph nodes shouldn't be dissected. With respect to the high risk nodal involvement cases in the lower third of the stomach, the No.1 lymph nodes should be dissected and so does the No.13 lymph nodes if it's tumefied. It is the key point of reasonable operation to exactly diagnose the EGC before and during the surgery.