Intraoperative gastroscopy for gastric surgery

Background: Few reports are available on the use of intraoperative gastroscopy for gastric surgery. Methods: The details of 33 patients (25 early gastric cancers and eight gastric submucosal tumors) who underwent intraoperative gastroscopy from June 2003 to June 2004 were analyzed. The type of operation or resection margin was determined by evaluating both sides of the stomach simultaneously by combined operative and gastroscopic methods. Results: Preoperative endoscopic clipping was done preferentially for early gastric cancer. However, when precise localization was needed, intraoperative gastroscopy was used. Curative gastric resection was possible in 25 early gastric cancer patients after accurate lesion localization. Laparoscopic wedge resections of submucosal tumors were performed in seven patients without stenosis by combined laparoscopic and gastroscopic methods. Conclusions: Intraoperative gastroscopy can be used effectively during gastric surgery for early gastric cancer or submucosal tumors and can be regarded as a modern stethoscope to gastric surgeons.