Comparison of Proximal Versus Total Gastrectomy in the Surgical Treatment of Proximal Gastric Cancers

Objective: The shift in stomach cancer localization has led to new perspectives in the treatment of proximal one-third of the stomach cancer, focusing on the type of resection between total gastrectomy and proximal gastrectomy. We compared the results of patients with proximal gastric cancer, which were treated either with PG or TG regarding postoperative complications, symptoms of reflux esophagitis, the number of dissected lymph nodes, short-term survival, and the compliance to the postoperative planned diet. Materials and Methods: This study included 58 patients who underwent surgery for proximal gastric adenocarcinoma. Of the patients, 32 patients underwent total gastrectomy, while 26 patients underwent proximal gastrectomy. The total and proximal gastrectomy groups were retrospectively compared concerning the number of lymph nodes dissected, postoperative reflux symptoms, dietary compliance, and short-term survival. Results: Reflux symptoms were seen in 10 patients (31.2%) who underwent total gastrectomy versus in 12 patients (46.1%) treated with proximal gastrectomy (p=0.08). Mean number of lymph nodes dissected was 24.6 +/- 13.5 in patients treated with total gastrectomy, whereas 18.8 +/- 6.1 in patients who underwent proximal gastrectomy (p=0.06). Dietary compliance was better in the PG group (p=0.03), while no significant differences were detected between groups about postoperative complications and short-term survival. Conclusion: In the surgical treatment of proximal gastric cancers, proximal gastrectomy performed using an anti-reflux technique, maybe an alternative to total gastrectomy, providing better functional results without compromising oncologic principles.