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Laparoscopy versus open distal gastrectomy by expert surgeons for early gastric cancer in Japanese patients: short-term clinical outcomes of a randomized clinical trial

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Abstract

Background

Short-term outcomes of laparoscopy-assisted distal gastrectomy (LADG) and open DG (ODG) have been investigated in previous clinical trials, but operative techniques and concomitant treatments have evolved, and up-to-date evidence produced by expert surgeons is required to provide an accurate image of the relative efficacies of the treatments. The purpose of this study was to compare laparoscopic versus ODG with respect to specific primary and secondary short-term outcomes.

Methods

From October 2005 to February 2008, a total of 64 patients with early gastric cancer were randomly assigned to the LADG or the ODG group. One patient was excluded due to concurrent illness unrelated to the intervention, so the data from 63 patients were analyzed. The primary short-term outcome was the 4-day postoperative use of analgesics. Secondary short-term outcomes were postoperative residual pain, complications, days hospitalized, blood data, days with fever, and days to first flatus.

Results

There was a significant difference in favor of LADG for postoperative use of analgesics (P = 0.022). Unexpectedly, there was no significant difference in degree of pain in the immediate postoperative period, putatively due to the optimal use of analgesics. Of the secondary outcomes, residual pain at postoperative day 7 (P = 0.003) and days to first flatus (P = 0.001) were significantly better with LADG. Postoperative complications, number of days hospitalized, and number of days with fever were also better with LADG, but the differences were not significant. Blood data representing inflammation (WBC and CRP) showed marked differences, especially on postoperative day 7 (P = 0.0016 and P = 0.0061, respectively).

Conclusions

LADG performed by expert surgeons results in less postoperative pain accompanied by decreased surgical invasiveness and is associated with fewer postoperative inconveniences. No preliminary suggestions of changes in long-term curability were observed. LADG for early gastric cancer is a feasible and safe procedure with short-term clinical results superior to those of ODG.

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Disclosures

Shinichi Sakuramoto, Keishi Yamashita, Shiro Kikuchi, Nobue Futawatari, Natsuya Katada, Masahiko Watanabe, Toshiyuki Okutomi, and Leon Bax have no conflicts of interest or financial ties to disclose.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Surgery, Kitasato University School of Medicine, 2-1-1 Asamizodai, Sagamihara, Kanagawa, 228-8520, Japan

    Shinichi Sakuramoto, Keishi Yamashita, Shiro Kikuchi, Nobue Futawatari, Natsuya Katada & Masahiko Watanabe

  2. Department of Anesthesiology, Kitasato University School of Medicine, 2-1-1 Asamizodai, Sagamihara, Kanagawa, 228-8520, Japan

    Toshiyuki Okutomi

  3. Kitasato Clinical Research Center, Kitasato University School of Medicine, 2-1-1 Asamizodai, Sagamihara, Kanagawa, 228-8520, Japan

    Guoqin Wang & Leon Bax

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  1. Shinichi Sakuramoto
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  9. Leon Bax
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Correspondence to Shinichi Sakuramoto.

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Sakuramoto, S., Yamashita, K., Kikuchi, S. et al. Laparoscopy versus open distal gastrectomy by expert surgeons for early gastric cancer in Japanese patients: short-term clinical outcomes of a randomized clinical trial. Surg Endosc 27, 1695–1705 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00464-012-2658-9

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