Laparoscopic gastrectomy with regional lymph node dissection for upper gastric cancer

Background: The technique and results of laparoscopic gastrectomy in 110 patients with gastric cancer located in the upper third of the stomach are presented. Methods: Proximal gastrectomy was performed for lesions in the upper third of the stomach, and total gastrectomy for those that spread over both the upper and middle third. D1 and D2 lymph node dissection was undertaken in patients with T1 or T2 lesions. Anastomosis of the oesophagus was performed intracorporeally using a conventional circular stapling device or a laparoscopic linear stapler. Results: Median operating time was 247 min for proximal gastrectomy and 285 min for total gastrectomy; median blood loss was 207 and 334 ml respectively. A median of 23 lymph nodes was harvested from patients in the proximal gastrectomy group and 34 from those having a total gastrectomy. There was minimal morbidity and fast recovery after surgery. Postoperative recurrence occurred in only one patient, giving a recurrence rate of 0.9 per cent. Conclusion: Laparoscopic gastrectomy for upper gastric cancer appears to be a safe and curative procedure.