Risk Factors for Complications Following Resection of Gastric Cancer

Purpose: Operative morbidity and mortality from gastric cancer have decreased in recent years, but many studies have demonstrated that its prevalence is still high. Therefore, we investigated the risk factors for morbidity and mortality considering the type of complication in patients with gastric cancer. Materials and Methods: A total of 259 gastrectomies between 2004 and 2008 were retrospectively reviewed. Results: Overall morbidity and mortality rates were 26.6% and 1.9%, respectively. A major risk factor for morbidity was combined resection (especially more than two organs) (P=0.005). The risk factors for major complications in which a re-operation or intervention were required were type of gastrectomy, upper location of lesion, combined resection, and respiratory comorbidity (P=0.042, P=0.002, P=0.031). Mortality was associated with preexisting neurologic disease such as cerebral stroke (P=0.016). In the analysis of differen complication's risk factors, a wound complication was not associated with any risk factor, but combined resection was associated with bleeding (P=0.007). Combined resection was an independent risk factor for a major complication, surgical complication, and anastomotic leakage (P=0.01, P=0.003, P=0.011, respectively). Palliative resection was an independent risk factor for major complications and a previous surgery for malignant disease was significantly related to anastomosis site leakage (P=0.033, P=0.007, respectively). Conclusions: The risk factors for gastrectomy complications of gastric cancer were combined resection, palliative resection, and a previous surgery for a malignant disease. To decrease post-gastrectomy complications, we should make an effort to minimize the range of combined resection, if a palliative gastrectomy is needed for advanced gastric cancer.