Results of Laparoscopic Gastrectomy for Early Gastric Cancer in High-Risk Patients - Estimation of Surgical Risk of Gastrectomy

Background/Aims: Surgical risk of laparoscopic gastrectomy for gastric cancer in high risk patients was evaluated with E-PASS scoring system. Methodology: This study was based on 63 patients with gastric cancer who underwent laparoscopic gastrectomy; 14 patients belonging to high risk group (ASA >= 3) and 49 classified as low risk group (ASA <= 2). Fifty six patients who underwent conventional gastrectomy were used for comparison. Results: Intra- and postoperative complications were found in 4 and 3 of 14 high risk patients, respectively. We found a significant correlation between E-PASS score and complications. E-PASS score in high risk group was significantly higher than the value in low risk group. The estimated in-hospital mortality rate was significantly different between the two groups. When conventional gastrectomy group for high risk patients was compared, postoperative morbidity and mortality rates were similar in two surgical procedures; however E-PASS score and the estimated in-hospital mortality rate with conventional gastrectomy were significantly higher than the value with laparoscopic gastrectomy. Conclusions: There were no fatal complications in high risk patients with laparoscopic gastrectomy and E-PASS score was within safety margin. Extension of laparoscopic surgery in high risk patients was feasible when careful procedure was performed by a surgical team.