Comparison of short-term surgical and oncological outcomes of laparoscopic versus open surgery, in gastric cancer

Aim: The aim of this study was to compare the short-term outcomes of gastrectomy operations performed using laparoscopic and open surgical methods in patients with gastric cancer in light of the current literature. Material and Methods: This retrospective analysis included data of 65 patients with gastric cancer who underwent elective curative laparoscopic or open gastrectomy and D2 lymph node dissection between January 2017 and 2020 in the gastroenterological surgery and surgical oncology departments of the Samsun Training and Research Hospital. Results: The open gastrectomy group included 31 patients with a median age of 63 (42-91) years. The laparoscopic gastrectomy group included 34 patients with a median age of 57 (24-81) years. There were no statistically significant differences between the two groups in terms of BMI, ASA score, tumor size, degree of invasion, or number of lymph nodes removed. Resection margin involvement was observed in 1 patient in the laparoscopic surgery group. Compared with the open gastrectomy group, the laparoscopic gastrectomy group demonstrated a significantly lower amount of intraoperative blood loss (75 +/- 15 mL vs 350 +/- 30 mL). The mean operative time was significantly longer(229 +/- 43 min vs 175 +/- 50 min). There was no statistically significant difference in the length of hospital stay (8 days vs 7 days) and mortality rates (5,8% vs 9,6%). Postoperative overall morbidity was lower (11% vs 16%, p>0,05). The surgical complication rate was lower in the laparoscopic group (2,9% vs 9,6%, p<0,05). Discussion: Laparoscopic gastrectomy and D2 lymph node dissection may be a potential therapeutic option in patients with early and locally advanced tumors.