Usefulness of standardization in spreading of laparoscopy-assisted distal gastrectomy.

摘要

BACKGROUND/AIMS: This study investigated outcomes of standardized laparoscopy-assisted distal gastrectomy (sLADG). METHODOLOGY: Although laparoscopic surgery was performed in patients with early gastric cancers in our hospital, a number of staff surgeons performed individualized variations of the procedure. We introduced sLADG to our hospital, and the short-term outcomes of these patients were examined. RESULTS: The mean surgical duration was significantly reduced (299 min. vs. 358 min, p < 0.01), and the amount of blood loss was also significantly decreased (98 ml vs. 207 ml, p < 0.05) in the standardized procedures in comparison with the previous procedures. However, there was no significant difference in the total number of retrieved lymph nodes among open procedure, conventional and standardized LADG series. Postoperative hospital stay and the occurrence of complications were significantly shorter and less frequent in the sLADG group. CONCLUSIONS: Performance of sLADG by experienced surgeons is expected to promote a safe procedure without reducing surgical curability.