LAPAROSCOPIC DISTAL GASTRECTOMY WITH LYMPH NODES DISSECTION FOR THE TREATMENT OF GASTRIC CANCER
Objective: The goal of this study was to investigate the feasibility, safety, and associated survival outcomes of laparoscopy-assisted distal gastrectomy (LADG) with lymph nodes dissection for gastric cancer. Methods: we analyzed the clinical data from 64 consecutive patients with gastric cancer who received LADG at our department of abdominal emergency surgery-Hue central hospital from January of 2007 to January of 2013. Results: LADG was successfully carried out in 62 patients; 2 cases were converted to open surgery. The mean operation time was 210 minutes (150-300 minutes), and mean number of dissected lymph nodes was 13 (5-25). The average length of hospital stay were 9,1 days (7-16 days). The morbididity and mortality was 15% and 1,5%. A total of 62 patients were followed for a subsequent 6-71 months (median, 24 months). The 3-year disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) rates were 71,3% and 83,2%, respectively. When divided by stage, the 3-year DFS for stage I, II, and III were 88%, 84,9%, and 41%, respectively; and the 3-year OS for stage I, II, and III were 100%, 86%, and 45%, respectively. Conclusion: In this preliminary report, LADG was found to be a safe, feasible, and efficacious procedure for the treatment of gastric cancer with encouraging 3-year overall and stage-by-stage survival rates