Comparison of short-term results of open and laparoscopic surgery in gastric cancer at a new regional hospital: a single surgeon experience

Abstract

Aim: To compare the short-term results of open and laparoscopic gastrectomy in gastric cancer surgery. Material and Method: From 15 May 2018 to 28 June 2021, patients who underwent open and laparoscopic gastrectomy for gastric cancer by a single surgeon between were retrospectively analyzed from a prospectively maintained database. Patients were compared in terms of early intraoperative and postoperative outcomes. Both surgical methods were compared in terms of early intraoperative and postoperative outcomes. Results: A total of 34 patients (open n=23, laparoscopic n=11) were included in the study. While the mean number of lymph nodes was similar between the groups, more metastatic lymph nodes and more advanced disease were detected in the open group (p=0.007, p=0.002, respectively). According to tumor location, patients who underwent laparoscopic gastrectomy were more distally located (p=0.01). The mean operative time was shorter in the open group (171.5 min and 206 min, p=0.006, respectively), while the estimated blood loss was less in the laparoscopic group (158.2 mL vs 186.7 mL, p=0.003). Four patients (17.4%) in the open group and two patients (18%) in the laparoscopic group had at least Clavien-Dindo grade III complications (p=0.96). Earlier gas output was seen in the laparoscopic group (p=0.002), while other postoperative outcomes were similar between the groups. Mean follow-up time was longer in the open group (13.4 months and 7.6 months, respectively, p=0.004). Conclusion: Until sufficient experience is reached in laparoscopic gastrectomy, choosing earlier stage and distally located tumors is a safe method with postoperative results similar to open gastrectomy.