Laparoscopic Pylorus-preserving Gastrectomy Research Articles

Laparoscopic Pylorus Preserving Gastrectomy vs Distal Gastrectomy for Early Gastric Cancer; A Multicenter Randomized Controlled Trial (KLASS-04).

To evaluate the long-term outcomes of laparoscopic pylorus preserving gastrectomy (LPPG) with laparoscopic distal gastrectomy (LDG) for early gastric cancer (EGC). PPG is considered as a function preserving surgery for EGC. However, there has been no multicenter randomized controlled trial comparing PPG with DG until now. A multicenter randomized controlled trial (KLASS-04) with 256 patients with cT1N0M0 gastric cancer located in the mid portion of the stomach was conducted. The primary endpoint was the incidence of dumping syndrome at postoperative 1 year. Secondary endpoints included survival and recurrence, gallstone formation, nutritional parameters, gastroscopic findings, and quality of life (QOL) for 3 years. In the intention-to-treat analyses, there was no difference in the incidence of dumping syndrome at one year postoperatively (13.2% in LPPG vs. 15.8% in LDG, P=0.622). Gallstone formation after surgery was significantly lower in LPPG than in LDG (2.33% vs. 8.66%, P=0.026). Hemoglobin (+0.01 vs. -0.76gm/dL, P<0.001) and serum protein (-0.15 vs. -0.35gm/dL, P=0.002) were significantly preserved after LPPG. However, reflux esophagitis (17.8% vs. 6.3%, P=0.005) and grade IV delayed gastric emptying (16.3% vs. 3.9%, P=0.001) were more common in LPPG. Changes in body weight and postoperative QOL were not significantly different between groups. Three-year overall survival and disease-free survival were not different (1 case of recurrence of in each group, P=0.98). LPPG can be used as an alternative surgical option for cT1N0M0 gastric cancer in the mid portion of the stomach.

Equal short-term outcomes of intracorporeal mechanical gastrogastrostomy in laparoscopic pylorus-preserving gastrectomy for cT1N0 gastric cancer in the middle stomach compared with the extracorporeal hand-sewing method.

Intracorporeal mechanical gastrogastrostomy (IMG) techniques have recently been developed and their short-term safety was presented in their initial evaluation. However, whether they are comparable to extracorporeal hand-sewing gastrogastrostomy (EHG) remains unclear. The aim of the study is to establish the safety of IMG in totally laparoscopic pylorus-preserving gastrectomy (TLPPG) compared to EHG in laparoscopy-assisted pylorus-preserving gastrectomy (LAPPG). We retrospectively analyzed the short-term outcomes of patients with middle-third early gastric cancer who underwent LAPPG or TLPPG between 2005 and 2022. The primary objective of this study was to evaluate the non-inferiority of IMG to EHG in terms of safety, with the primary endpoint being the risk difference in anastomosis-related complications (ARCs). The sample size required to achieve a statistical power of 80% for the non-inferiority test was 971 with a one-sided alpha level of 5% and non-inferiority of 5%. The analysis included a total of 1,021 patients who underwent LAPPG or TLPPG during the study period. Among them, 488 patients underwent EHG, while 533 underwent IMG. The incidences of ARCs were 11.3% and 11.4% in EHG and IMG, respectively. The observed difference in incidence was 0.0017 (90% confidence interval - 0.0313 to 0.0345), which statistically demonstrated the non-inferiority of IMG to EHG in the incidence of ARCs. Among other complications, the incidence of wound infection in IMG was lower than that in EHG. IMG is safe regarding ARCs compared with EHG. These results will encourage surgeons to introduce IMG for patients with early middle gastric cancer.

Comparison between laparoscopic pylorus-preserving gastrectomy and laparoscopic distal gastrectomy for overweight patients with early gastric cancer.

Laparoscopic pylorus-preserving gastrectomy (LPPG) has a nutritional advantage over laparoscopic distal gastrectomy (LDG), however, may be less beneficial in overweight patients in terms of weight loss. The purpose of this study was to compare LPPG and LDG in overweight patients with early gastric cancer. Clinicopathologic data of overweight patients (body mass index [BMI], ≥25 kg/m2) who underwent LPPG (n = 63) or LDG (n = 183) in 2016-2018 were retrospectively reviewed. In the LDG group, patients with Billroth-II anastomosis were separately grouped (LDG B-II, n = 66). Changes in BMI, hemoglobin, albumin, and total protein were compared among groups. Changes in BMI were not significant different among groups. The LPPG group had significantly higher albumin than the LDG group at postoperative 6 months and 1 year. The LPPG group had higher total protein than the LDG group at postoperative 2 years. The LPPG group had a higher complication rate of Clavien-Dindo classification III or higher (20.6%) than the LDG group (8.2%, P = 0.007). However, after excluding pyloric stenosis, there was no significant difference among groups (LPPG vs. LDG, P = 0.290; LPPG vs. LDG B-II, P = 0.921). LPPG and LDG groups showed similar weight loss. However, the LPPG group had higher albumin and protein levels than the LDG group of overweight patients. Thus, it is not necessary to select LDG only for weight loss. LPPG may be selected as one option due to its potential nutritional benefit when pyloric stenosis is properly managed.

Totally Laparoscopic Pylorus-Preserving Gastrectomy (TLPPG) is Safe and Effective for Early Gastric Cancer Treatment

Totally Laparoscopic Pylorus-Preserving Gastrectomy (TLPPG) is Safe and Effective for Early Gastric Cancer Treatment

ASO Author Reflections: Severe Reflux Esophagitis After Laparoscopic Pylorus-Preserving Gastrectomy for Gastric Cancer is Associated with Male Sex, Preoperative Grade A Reflux Esophagitis, Postoperative BMI of ≥23 kg/m2, Hiatal Hernia, and Long-Term Gastric Stasis.

ASO Author Reflections: Severe Reflux Esophagitis After Laparoscopic Pylorus-Preserving Gastrectomy for Gastric Cancer is Associated with Male Sex, Preoperative Grade A Reflux Esophagitis, Postoperative BMI of ≥23 kg/m2, Hiatal Hernia, and Long-Term Gastric Stasis.

Reflux Esophagitis After Laparoscopic Pylorus-Preserving Gastrectomy for Gastric Cancer.

Laparoscopic pylorus-preserving gastrectomy(LPPG) is performed for cT1N0 gastric cancer as a function-preserving surgery, but reflux esophagitis can develop as a mid- to long-term complication postoperatively. We aimed to clarify the incidence rate of this complication and the factors correlated with it. Patients with gastric cancer who underwent LPPG between 2005 and 2017 were analyzed. Postoperative reflux esophagitis was evaluated with esophagogastroduodenoscopy; patients were diagnosed as having reflux esophagitis with erosive esophagitis using the modified Los Angeles classification. The incidence rate of postoperative reflux esophagitis was estimated; factors correlated with postoperative reflux esophagitis were analyzed using the logistic regression model. During the study period, 813 patients underwent LPPG for gastric cancer, and 127 (15.6%) of them developed grade B or more severe postoperative reflux esophagitis. The factors correlated with postoperative reflux esophagitis were male sex (odds ratio, 2.68; 95% confidence interval, 1.77-4.05; P < 0.001), preoperative grade A reflux esophagitis (odds ratio, 3.05; 95% confidence interval, 1.28-7.27; P = 0.012), body mass index of ≥ 23 kg/m2 at 1 year postoperatively (odds ratio, 2.18; 95% confidence interval, 1.34-3.53; P = 0.002), postoperative hiatal hernia (odds ratio, 4.35; 95% confidence interval, 2.35-8.04; P < 0.001), and long-term stasis (odds ratio, 1.58; 95% confidence interval, 1.01-2.47; P = 0.044). Careful attention should be paid in performing LPPG and in postoperative management after LPPG for gastric cancer patients with those risk factors.

A continuous muscle-sparing advantage of pylorus-preserving gastrectomy for older patients with cT1N0M0 gastric cancer in the middle third of the stomach.

Laparoscopic pylorus-preserving gastrectomy (LPPG) for early gastric cancer in the middle third of the stomach is expected to be an alternative procedure to laparoscopic distal gastrectomy (LDG). However, whether LPPG is safe and more useful than LDG in older patients is unclear because of their comorbidities and organ dysfunctions. We retrospectively analyzed the data of consecutive patients aged 75 or over who underwent LDG with Billroth I reconstruction (LDGB1) or LPPG for cT1N0M0 gastric cancer in the middle third of the stomach between 2005 and 2019. After propensity score matching was used to improve the comparability between the LDGB1 and LPPG groups, we compared surgical and postoperative nutritional outcomes, including the postoperative trends of bodyweight (%BW) and skeletal muscle index (%SMI). A total of 132 patients who underwent LDGB1 (n = 88) and LPPG (n = 44) were collected for this study. No significant difference in postoperative complications was observed. The total protein levels after LPPG were significantly higher than those after LDGB1 for 4 postoperative years. Both %BW and %SMI after LPPG were significantly maintained compared with those after LDGB1 during the first year after surgery. For the subsequent years, %BW after LPPG became similar to that after LDGB1, while %SMI after LPPG was significantly larger than LDGB1 continuously. LPPG has a great advantage in maintaining the postoperative skeletal muscle mass as well as the nutritional parameters of older patients. LPPG is expected to be an alternative to LDG in older patients.

Intracorporeal hand-sewn anastomosis following pylorus-preserving gastrectomy: surgical technique and short-term surgical outcome.

Although several procedures for mechanical anastomosis have recently been reported, intracorporeal manually hand-sewn anastomosis for totally laparoscopic pylorus-preserving gastrectomy (TLPPG) is considered technically difficult. Here, we report a new technique for laparoscopic reconstruction using hand-sewn sutures. Together with a proper lymphadenectomy, the stomach was detached and resected using separate two-layer incisions, similar to the original laparotomy method. An approximately 5-cm antral cuff was left in place. The essential concept of this new method was to align the anastomotic site by rotating each clamped gastric stump. This allowed us to perform a secure, hand-sewn, two-layer anastomosis successfully. The short-term surgical outcome after TLPPG was retrospectively compared with that for patients who underwent a conventional laparoscopy-assisted procedure (LAPPG). Of the 20 consecutive patients who underwent pylorus-preserving gastrectomy in our department between 2014 and 2021, the first 8 patients and the subsequent 12 patients underwent LAPPG and TLPPG, respectively. The operation time was significantly longer in the TLPPG group (median, 302 vs. 269min). The morbidity was comparable (8.3% in TLPPG vs. 12.5% in LAPPG). Postoperative delayed gastric emptying was only observed in one patient in the LAPPG group. TLPPG reduced the cost of the operation by reducing the number of linear stapler cartridges required. A purely hand-sewn gastrogastrostomy is safe, feasible, and cost-effective, and it omits the need for a mini-laparotomy in the upper abdomen.

Short-term Outcomes of Pylorus-Preserving Gastrectomy for Early Gastric Cancer: Comparison Between Extracorporeal and Intracorporeal Gastrogastrostomy.

PurposeThis study aimed to compare the surgical and oncological outcomes between totally laparoscopic pylorus-preserving gastrectomy (TLPPG) with intracorporeal anastomosis and laparoscopy-assisted pylorus-preserving gastrectomy (LAPPG) with extracorporeal anastomosis.Materials and MethodsA retrospective analysis was performed in 258 patients with cT1N0 gastric cancer who underwent laparoscopic pylorus-preserving gastrectomy using two different anastomosis methods: TLPPG with intracorporeal anastomosis (n=88) and LAPPG with extracorporeal anastomosis (n=170). The following variables were compared between the two groups to assess the postoperative surgical and oncological outcomes: proximal and distal margins, number of resected lymph nodes (LNs) in total and in LN station 6, operation time, postoperative hospital stay, and postoperative morbidity including delayed gastric emptying (DGE).ResultsThe average length of the proximal margin was similar between the TLPPG and LAPPG groups (2.35 vs. 2.73 cm, P=0.070). Although the distal margin was significantly shorter in the TLPPG group than in the LAPPG group (3.15 vs. 4.08 cm, P=0.001), no proximal or distal resection margin-positive cases were reported in either group. The average number of resected LN was similar in both groups (36.0 vs. 33.98, P=0.229; LN station 6, 5.72 vs. 5.33, P=0.399). The operation time was shorter in the TLPPG group than in the LAPPG (200.17 vs. 220.80 minutes, P=0.001). No significant differences were observed between the two groups in terms of postoperative hospital stay (9.38 vs. 10.10 days, P=0.426) and surgical complication rate (19.3% vs. 22.9%), including DGE (8.0% vs. 11.8%, P=0.343).ConclusionsThe oncological safety and postoperative complications of TLPPG with intracorporeal anastomosis are similar to those of LAPPG with extracorporeal anastomosis.

Clinical Experience of Intracorporeal Hand-sewn Anastomosis Following Totally Laparoscopic Pylorus-Preserving Gastrectomy for Middle-Third Early Gastric Cancer

IntroductionPylorus-preserving gastrectomy (PPG) has been accepted as a representative function-preserving procedure for early gastric cancer (EGC) in the middle stomach. Totally, intracorporeal laparoscopic gastrectomy can provide better aesthetics, be less invasive, and allow faster postoperative recovery. Here, we first describe the surgical procedure of totally laparoscopic pylorus-preserving gastrectomy with intracorporeal hand-sewn anastomosis (TLPPG-IHSA). MethodsAfter standard procedure of lymph node dissection and middle stomach resection, we used two double-needle barbed sutures to perform a layer-to-layer manual anastomosis of the anterior and posterior walls in the abdominal cavity. Twelve patients with preoperatively diagnosed clinical EGC located in the middle third of the stomach underwent TLPPG-IHSA between August 2019 and January 2021. ResultsA total of 12 patients with EGC successfully underwent TLPPG-IHSA. Only one patient (8.3%) suffered postoperative gastric stasis. No complications or recurrence occurred in other patients during half a year after surgery. ConclusionTLPPG-IHSA is considered technically feasible to treat EGC located in the middle third of the stomach.

Short-term outcomes of a multicentre randomized clinical trial comparing laparoscopic pylorus-preserving gastrectomy with laparoscopic distal gastrectomy for gastric cancer (the KLASS-04 trial).

There remain concerns about the safety and functional benefit of laparoscopic pylorus-preserving gastrectomy (LPPG) compared with laparoscopic distal gastrectomy (LDG). This study evaluated short-term outcomes of a randomized clinical trial (RCT) comparing LPPG with LDG for gastric cancer. The Korean Laparoendoscopic Gastrointestinal Surgery Study (KLASS)-04 trial was an investigator-initiated, open-label, parallel-assigned, superiority, multicentre RCT in Korea. Patients with cT1N0M0 cancer located in the middle third of the stomach at least 5 cm from the pylorus were randomized to undergo LPPG or LDG. Participants, care givers and those assessing the outcomes were not blinded to group assignment. Outcomes were 30-day postoperative morbidity rate and death at 90 days. Some 256 patients from nine institutions were randomized (LPPG 129 patients, LDG 127 patients) between July 2015 and July 2017 and outcomes for 253 patients were analysed. Postoperative complications within 30 days were seen in 19.3 and 15.5 per cent in the LPPG and LDG groups respectively (P = 0·419). Postoperative pyloric stenosis was observed in nine (7.2 per cent) and two (1·5 per cent) patients in the LPPG and LDG groups (P = 0·026) respectively. In multivariable analysis higher BMI was a risk factor for postoperative complications (odds ratio 1·17, 95 per cent c.i. 1·04 to 1·32; P = 0·011). Death at 90 days was zero in both groups. Postoperative complications and mortality was comparable in patients undergoing LPPG and LDG. Registration number: NCT02595086 (http://www.clinicaltrials.gov).

Assessment of the Completeness of Lymph Node Dissection Using Indocyanine Green in Laparoscopic and Robotic Gastrectomy for Gastric Cancer – A Review

More recently, few scientists have attempted to figure out how to improve the careful recognizable proof of the lymphatic waste courses and lymph node stations during radical gastrectomy in this way beginning another examination outskirt in this field called surgery. Among the distinctive detailed arrangements, the presentation of the indocyanine green has drawn consideration for its attributes, a fluorescence colour that can be identified in the near-infrared spectral band. A fluorescence imaging innovation has been coordinated with frameworks of lymph node dissection in laparoscopic and robotic gastrectomy surgery for gastric cancer. Current confirmations uncover that ongoing vessel navigation by using indocyanine green fluorescence during laparoscopic gastrectomy was demonstrated doable with negligible complications. Its utilization may empower the presentation of fruitful robotic or laparoscopic pylorus-preserving gastrectomy with a decrease in unintended intraoperative wounds, for example, second rate polar dead tissue of the spleen during laparoscopic gastrectomy. The clinical ramifications of utilization of indocyanine green in laparoscopic and robotic gastrectomy for gastric cancer was, in any event, for surgeons with a significant level of involvement with laparoscopic D2 dissection, the near-infrared imaging framework can fill in as a complimentary apparatus to affirm total lymphatic node dissection in patients with atypical life structures. With some restrictions the incorporated innovation of indocyanine green fluorescence with near-infrared imaging systems was practical and a promising strategy for lymphatic mapping in laparoscopic and robotic gastrectomy for gastric cancer.

Feasibility of totally laparoscopic pylorus-preserving gastrectomy with intracorporeal gastro-gastrostomy for early gastric cancer: a retrospective cohort study

BackgroundPylorus-preserving gastrectomy (PPG) has been accepted as a function-preserving surgery for the treatment of early gastric cancer in East Asian countries. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the feasibility and safety of totally laparoscopic PPG (TLPPG) with intracorporeal anastomosis.MethodsA total of 43 patients with early gastric cancer underwent laparoscopy-assisted PPG (LAPPG) with extracorporeal anastomosis between May 2006 and November 2012. The operative outcomes of 22 patients who underwent TLPPG between November 2012 and February 2019 were evaluated, and data were compared with that of the LAPPG group.ResultsNo significant difference in the operative time was observed between the two groups. Blood loss was lower in the TLPPG group (18.5 mL) than in the LAPPG group (30.7 mL, p = 0.008), and the length of abdominal incision was shorter in the TLPPG group (3.8 cm) than in the LAPPG group (4.7 cm, p < 0.001). No significant difference in the complication rate was observed between the two groups (13.6% in the TLPPG vs. 9.3% in the LAPPG group, p = 0.594). No anastomosis-related complications occurred in either group. No significant between-group difference was observed in the delayed gastric emptying (TLPPG, 9.1 vs. LAPPG, 7%, p = 0.762). The initiation of postoperative fluid (TLPPG, 1.0 day vs. LAPPG, 3.0 days, p < 0.001) and meal (TLPPG, 3.0 days vs. LAPPG, 4.0 days, p < 0.001) intake was earlier in the TLPPG group than in the LAPPG group. No significant between-group difference was observed in the postoperative hospital stay.ConclusionsThe findings of this study suggest that TLPPG with intracorporeal reconstruction not only is as feasible and safe as LAPPG for the treatment of patients with early gastric cancer but also provides certain advantages such as reduced blood loss and wound size.

Intracorporeal Overlapping Anastomosis Method in Totally Laparoscopic Pylorus-Preserving Gastrectomy for Early Gastric Cancer Located in High Body and Posterior Wall of the Stomach: "PAAP" Method

Background: Delta-shape anastomosis technique enabled totally laparoscopic pylorus-preserving gastrectomy (TLPPG) in early gastric cancer (EGC) located in the middle of stomach. However, Delta-shape anastomosis is quite difficult to perform when the lesion is placed in high body and posterior wall of the stomach. Here we invented unique overlapping anastomosis method to compensate Delta-shape anastomosis which is limited by location of the lesion during intracorporeal anastomosis.

Risk factors and prognosis of gastric stasis, a crucial problem after laparoscopic pylorus-preserving gastrectomy for early middle-third gastric cancer.

Pylorus-preserving gastrectomy (PPG) is a function-preserving procedure for cT1N0 gastric cancer located in the middle-third of stomach, which is currently performed through a laparoscopic approach (LPPG). PPG is sometimes associated with a crucial problem during the early postoperative course, designated gastric stasis. However, information regarding gastric stasis remains to be fully elucidated. The study included 897 patients who underwent LPPG between 2005 and 2017. Early postoperative gastric stasis (E-stasis) was defined when the following conditions were fulfilled: upper abdominal distension, remnant stomach fullness on radiography image, and period of starvation exceeding 72h within 1month postoperatively. To evaluate long-term outcomes of E-stasis, late postoperative food residue (L-residue) was defined as grade 2 or higher food residue endoscopically according to the RGB (residue, gastritis, bile) classification at 1year postoperatively. Risk factors and long-term outcomes of E-stasis were retrospectively analyzed. E-stasis was the most common complication during the early postoperative course. E-stasis occurred in 68 (7.6%) patients. Multivariate analysis identified age (≥ 61years), DM, and postoperative intraabdominal infection as risk factors. At 1year postoperatively, relative body weight ratio and postoperative serum albumin in the patients who experienced E-stasis was significantly lower than those in the other patients (P = 0.042 and 0.011, respectively). Of the patients who suffered from E-stasis, 42.5% experienced L-residue. E-stasis after LPPG occurs in 7.6% of patients. Age, DM, and intraabdominal infection are significantly related to E-stasis. E-stasis is associated with poorer nutritional and functional outcomes even at 1year postoperatively.

Preventive effect on delayed gastric emptying of preserving the infra-pyloric vein in laparoscopic pylorus-preserving gastrectomy for early gastric cancer.

Pylorus-preserving gastrectomy (PPG) has the postoperative advantages of a better quality of life and less weight loss than distal gastrectomy. However, postoperative delayed gastric emptying (DGE) due to antral hypomotility can be a problem. Although preserving the infra-pyloric vein (IPV) is reported to improve congestion of the antrum and prevent DGE, the benefits of this procedure have not been confirmed. The present study aimed to clarify the preventive effect on DGE of preserving the IPV. A total of 148 patients [IPV-preserved (IPVP): 78 patients and IPV-non-preserved (IPVN): 70 patients] who underwent laparoscopic and robotic PPG (LRPPG) for early gastric cancer were enrolled in this study. The clinicopathologic characteristics and incidence of DGE were compared between the groups. The nutritional risk index (NRI) at 1, 2, and 3 years after the operation and the relapse-free survival (RFS) were also compared. There were no significant differences in the clinicopathological characteristics between the two groups. DGE was observed in 15 of 148 patients (10.1%). The incidence of DGE did not differ markedly between the 2 groups (IPVP vs. IPVN; 11.5% vs. 8.6% p = 0.596). There were no significant differences in other complications between the groups either (IPVP vs. IPVN; 19.2% vs. 21.4%; p = 0.838). The NRI and 3-year RFS were not significantly different between the two groups. Regarding LRPPG, preserving the IPV did not help prevent DGE and resulted in no significant difference in the outcomes.

Should pylorus-preserving gastrectomy be performed for overweight/obese patients with gastric cancer?

Pylorus-preserving gastrectomy is an alternative to distal gastrectomy for early gastric cancer, and is expected to have postoperative advantages including maintenance of body weight. Overweight/obesity is a risk factor for chronic disorders, including hypertension and diabetes mellitus; in these conditions, body weight control is frequently required as part of treatment. It remains unknown whether pylorus-preserving gastrectomy should be performed in overweight/obese patients because excess body weight may be maintained postoperatively. We retrospectively investigated body weight changes and postoperative nutritional status of overweight/obese patients who underwent laparoscopic distal gastrectomy (LDG) or laparoscopic pylorus-preserving gastrectomy (LPPG) between 2006 and 2015. Among 349 overweight patients (BMI ≥ 25kg/m2), 101 LDG and 101 LPPG cases were compared after propensity score matching to adjust for patient characteristics. The mean relative body weight ratios (postoperative/preoperative ratios) were 87.5 ± 8.0% after LDG and 89.6 ± 6.7% after LPPG (difference not significant, p = 0.088). The prealbumin level at 2years and hemoglobin levels at 6months, 1year and 2years were significantly well maintained after LPPG than after LDG. Prealbumin and hemoglobin levels at 2years had almost returned to baseline levels in the LPPG group. The superiority of LPPG in the hemoglobin level was confirmed regardless of reconstruction methods after LDG. For overweight/obese patients, LDG and LPPG resulted in similar degrees of postoperative weight loss, with patients achieving near-ideal body weight. The postoperative nutritional advantages of LPPG were confirmed. LPPG seemed to be better even for overweight/obese patients who meet indication criteria.

A novel method of intracorporeal end-to-end gastrogastrostomy in laparoscopic pylorus-preserving gastrectomy for early gastric cancer, including a unique anastomotic technique: piercing the stomach with a linear stapler.

Delta-shaped anastomosis is usually applied for an intracorporeal gastrogastrostomy in totally laparoscopic pylorus-preserving gastrectomy (TLPPG). However, the remnant stomach is slightly twisted around the anastomosis because it connects in side-to-side fashion. To realize an intracorporeal end-to-end gastrogastrostomy using an endoscopic linear stapler, we invented a novel method including a unique anastomotic technique. In this new approach, we first made small gastrotomies at the greater and lesser curvatures of the transected antrum and then pierced it using an endoscopic linear stapler. After the pierced antrum and the proximal remnant stomach were mechanically connected, the gastrotomies and stapling lines were transected using an endoscopic linear stapler, creating an intracorporeal end-to-end gastrogastrostomy. We have named this technique the "piercing method" because piercing the stomach is essential to its implementation. Between October 2015 and June 2017, 26 patients who had clinically early gastric cancer at the middle third of the stomach without clinical evidence of lymph node metastasis underwent TLPPG involving the novel method. The 26 patients successfully underwent an intracorporeal mechanical end-to-end gastrogastrostomy by the piercing method. The median operation time of the 26 patients was 272min (range 209-357min). With the exception of one gastric stasis, no problems associated with the piercing method were encountered during and after surgery. The piercing method can safely create an intracorporeal mechanical end-to-end gastrogastrostomy in TLPPG. Piercing the stomach using an endoscopic linear stapler is a new technique for gastrointestinal anastomosis. This method should be considered if the surgical aim is creation of an intracorporeal end-to-end gastrogastrostomy in TLPPG.

Function-preserving gastrectomy for early gastric cancer based on Japanese researches

In the past, people only focused on surgical resection of gastric cancer to obtain satisfactory therapeutic effect, while the concept of function-preserving in gastric cancer surgery has not been emphasized. Gastric function-preserving surgery was originally performed by Japanese doctor Maki for surgical treatment of gastroduodenal ulcer. With the definition of early gastric cancer being accepted, the pylorus-preserving gastrectomy can be used continuously in the treatment of gastric cancer. Because of high incidence of early gastric cancer in Japan, a variety of application and research about function-preserving gastrectomy in other areas for treatment of early gastric cancer, such as proximal gastrectomy and jejunal interposition, segmental gastrectomy, gastric local resection and laparoscopic and endoscopic cooperative surgery (LECS) at the same time, and regional or sentinel lymph node dissection were performed for the purpose of radical cure. Function-preserving gastrectomy for the treatment of early gastric cancer should include four important factors: (1) decrease of the scope of gastrectomy; (2)retaining pylorus; (3)retaining vagus nerve; (4)regional or sentinel lymph node dissection. The technique of sentinel lymph node can reduce the extent of gastric resection, avoid distal gastrectomy or total gastrectomy, and make gastric resection more suitable for laparoscopic partial gastrectomy, segmental resection, pylorus-preserving gastrectomy and proximal gastrectomy. Function-preserving gastrectomy has the advantage of improving the quality of life and has great potential in the treatment of early gastric cancer. However, the various treatment methods including LECS need strict technical standardization for confirmation of oncology safety. We need careful design, prospective multicenter randomized controlled trials to provide theoretical and technical support.

Short-term and long-term outcomes of laparoscopic pylorus-preserving gastrectomy.

181 Background: Distal gastrectomy is still a standard surgical procedure for early gastric cancer locating in the middle third of the stomach. Laparoscopic pylorus-preserving gastrectomy (LPPG) is promising method which can achieve both minimally invasive and function-preserving outcomes; however, the advantage of PPG against laparoscopic distal gastrectomy (LDG) has not been clarified. Methods: This study examined the clinical outcomes of 71 patients who underwent LPPG for cT1 N0 GC located in the middle part of the stomach and 168 patients who underwent LDG with BillrothI reconstruction for cT1 N0 GC located in the middle or lower part of the stomach between September 2006 and December 2014. Surgical outcomes of LPPG were retrospectively compared with those of LDG. Results: The pathological T- and N-stage of the two groups were similar. There was no significant difference in the mean number of resected lymph nodes (37 in LPPG and 33 in LDG). Operation time was longer in LPPG than LDG (248min:LPPG, 228min:LDG) and blood loss were higher in LPPG than LDG (72ml:LPPG, 54ml:LDG). Postoperative hospital stay was longer in LPPG than LDG (13days:LPPG, 11days:LDG). There was no difference in the surgical complications (12.7%:LPPG, 9.5%:LDG) and no mortality occurred(no in-hospital deaths). Only one case of LDG was died of postoperative recurrence. The mean weight loss rate in 3 years after gastrectomy was lower in LPPG than in LDG (7.7% and 10.4%, respectively). Conclusions: LPPG is an acceptable and favorable operative method with possible prevention of weight loss for clinically diagnosed early stage GC.