A comparison of short-term outcomes of laparoscopic-assisted total gastrectomy and open total gastrectomy in early gastric cancer

Abstract

Purpose: This study aimed to compare the postoperative outcomes of open total gastrectomy (OTG) and laparoscopic-assisted total gastrectomy (LATG) and prove that postoperative outcomes of LATG can be improved through a surgeon’s experience. Methods: 62 patients who underwent OTG and 82 patients who underwent LATG were enrolled in this study. To objectively assess the postoperative outcomes, we decided to apply the Clavien-Dindo classification. This study was performed based on postoperative complications occurring within 30 days after total gastrectomy. Results: There was no statistically significant difference between the two groups with regard to intraoperative transfusion (P>0.99), overall postoperative complications (P>0.99), and major postoperative complications (P=0.731). Leakage of esophagojejunostomy was the most common complication after LATG. There is no statistically significant difference in the number of overall postoperative complications between the early LATG and late LATG groups (P=0.349). However, there is significant difference in the number of major complications between the two groups (P=0.026). Conclusion: LATG is not inferior to OTG and improved by learning in terms of postoperative outcomes in this study.