Totally laparoscopic total gastrectomy using the modified overlap method and conventional open total gastrectomy: A comparative study

Chang Seok Ko; Nam Ryong Choi; Byung Sik Kim; Jeong Hwan Yook; Min-Ju Kim; Beom Su Kim

doi:10.3748/wjg.v27.i18.2193

Totally laparoscopic total gastrectomy using the modified overlap method and conventional open total gastrectomy: A comparative study

World J Gastroenterol. 2021 May 14;27(18):2193-2204. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v27.i18.2193.

Authors

Chang Seok Ko¹, Nam Ryong Choi¹, Byung Sik Kim¹, Jeong Hwan Yook¹, Min-Ju Kim², Beom Su Kim³

Affiliations

¹ Department of Surgery, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul 05505, South Korea.
² Department of Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul 05505, South Korea.
³ Department of Surgery, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul 05505, South Korea. bskim0251@naver.com.

Abstract

Background: Although several methods of totally laparoscopic total gastrectomy (TLTG) have been reported. The best anastomosis technique for LTG has not been established.

Aim: To investigate the effectiveness and surgical outcomes of TLTG using the modified overlap method compared with open total gastrectomy (OTG) using the circular stapled method.

Methods: We performed 151 and 131 surgeries using TLTG with the modified overlap method and OTG for gastric cancer between March 2012 and December 2018. Surgical and oncological outcomes were compared between groups using propensity score matching. In addition, we analyzed the risk factors associated with postoperative complications.

Results: Patients who underwent TLTG were discharged earlier than those who underwent OTG [TLTG (9.62 ± 5.32) vs OTG (13.51 ± 10.67), P < 0.05]. Time to first flatus and soft diet were significantly shorter in TLTG group. The pain scores at all postoperative periods and administration of opioids were significantly lower in the TLTG group than in the OTG group. No significant difference in early, late and esophagojejunostomy (EJ)-related complications or 5-year recurrence free and overall survival between groups. Multivariate analysis demonstrated that body mass index [odds ratio (OR), 1.824; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.029-3.234, P = 0.040] and American Society of Anaesthesiologists (ASA) score (OR, 3.154; 95%CI: 1.084-9.174, P = 0.035) were independent risk factors of early complications. Additionally, age was associated with ≥ 3 Clavien-Dindo classification and EJ-related complications.

Conclusion: Although TLTG with the modified overlap method showed similar complication rate and oncological outcome with OTG, it yields lower pain score, earlier bowel recovery, and discharge. Surgeons should perform total gastrectomy cautiously and delicately in patients with obesity, high ASA scores, and older ages.

Keywords: Anastomosis; Gastrectomy; Laparoscopic surgery; Stomach neoplasms; Totally laparoscopic total gastrectomy.

MeSH terms

Aged
Anastomosis, Surgical
Gastrectomy / adverse effects
Humans
Laparoscopy* / adverse effects
Middle Aged
Neoplasm Recurrence, Local
Postoperative Complications / epidemiology
Postoperative Complications / etiology
Stomach Neoplasms* / surgery
Treatment Outcome