• Journal of Gastric Cancer
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.122-131
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• 2021

Purpose: To date, there are no promising treatments for gastric carcinoma with peritoneal metastasis. Some researchers have suggested a survival benefit of gastrectomy in select patients. This study investigated the survival of gastric carcinoma patients with stand-alone peritoneal metastasis according to the type of treatment modality. Materials and Methods: We reviewed the data of 132 patients with gastric carcinoma and stand-alone peritoneal metastasis. We performed gastrectomy when the primary tumor was deemed resectable and systemic chemotherapy was administered. We analyzed patient survival according to the type of treatment, and the prognostic value of gastrectomy was evaluated in univariate and multivariate models. Results: Among all patients, 70 underwent gastrectomy plus chemotherapy, 20 underwent gastrectomy alone, 36 underwent chemotherapy alone, and 6 received supportive care. The median patient survival was 13 months. Patients who underwent gastrectomy had significantly longer survival than those who did not undergo gastrectomy (14 vs. 8 months, P<0.001). Patients who received chemotherapy showed significantly longer survival than those who did not (13 vs. 7 months, P=0.032). Patients who underwent gastrectomy plus chemotherapy showed better survival than those who underwent other treatments. In multivariate analysis, gastrectomy was found to be an independent prognostic factor (hazard ratio, 0.52; 95% confidence interval, 0.33-0.82) in addition to chemotherapy. Conclusions: Our study showed that patients who underwent gastrectomy plus chemotherapy had the best survival. Although the survival benefit of gastrectomy remains uncertain, it is a favorable prognostic indicator in patients with stand-alone peritoneal metastasis.

• Journal of Gastric Cancer
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.57-68
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• 2024

Reduced-port gastrectomy (RPG) includes all procedures derived from various efforts to minimize surgical invasiveness, with single-incision laparoscopic gastrectomy (SILG) being the ultimate reduced-port technique. However, there are challenges related to its feasibility, oncological validity, training, and education. This review describes the current issues and challenges, as well as the future prospects of RPG for gastric cancer. Gastrectomy, which started as an open surgery, has evolved into a laparoscopic surgery. With the advancements in laparoscopic technology, SILG has been used to minimize surgical scarring. However, owing to the technical difficulties of SILG, cases involving the addition of 1 trocar or needle grasper alongside the multichannel port have also been reported. Additionally, 3-port laparoscopic gastrectomy (3PLG) using only 3 trocars is also being performed. RPG, as a concept, includes a range of approaches such as SILG, 2-port laparoscopic gastrectomy, and 3PLG. These techniques aimed to reduce the number of ports or incisions required for laparoscopic gastrectomy. Despite technical difficulties, RPGs offer numerous advantages, including minimal invasiveness, excellent cosmetic outcomes, and the potential for improved postoperative recovery, such as reduced length of hospital stay and post-operative pain. It could be considered similar to conventional laparoscopic gastrectomy, and may not be oncologically inferior. Ongoing studies, such as the KLASS 12, are required to gain further insights.

• Journal of Gastric Cancer
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.98-104
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• 2016

Purpose: The incidence of gallstones after gastrectomy for gastric cancer is higher than in the general population. However, the causes and mechanisms of post-gastrectomy gallstones are unclear. The aim of this study was to evaluate the incidence of gallstone formation and the risk factors for their development after gastrectomy for gastric cancer. Materials and Methods: Of 1,744 gastric cancer patients who underwent gastrectomy at Seoul National University Bundang Hospital between January 2010 and December 2012, 1,284 were included in this study and retrospectively reviewed. Patients' age, sex, body mass index (BMI), tumor location, stage, type of gastrectomy, type of reconstruction, and extent of node dissection were evaluated. Results: The incidence of gallstones after gastrectomy for gastric cancer was significantly higher in men than in women (P=0.019). Exclusion of the duodenum during reconstruction was associated with a significantly higher incidence of gallstones (P=0.003). Overweight and obese patients with BMI ${\geq}23kg/m^2$ had significantly higher incidence of gallstones than those with a lower BMI (P=0.006). Multivariate analysis showed that obesity (hazard ratio, HR=1.614; 95% confidence interval, CI: 1.135~2.296; P=0.008), male sex (HR=1.515, 95% CI: 1.029~2.231, P=0.033), and exclusion of the duodenum (HR=1.648, 95% CI: 1.192~2.280, P=0.003) were significant, independent risk factors for gallstones after gastrectomy. Conclusions: The cumulative incidence of gallstones for 5 years after gastrectomy was 15.3%. Male sex, obesity, and exclusion of the duodenum were risk factors for gallstone formation after gastrectomy. Careful surveillance will be required for these patient groups after gastrectomy.

• Journal of Gastric Cancer
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.167-176
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• 2016

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of a prior gastrectomy on the difficulty of subsequent colonoscopy, and to identify the surgical factors related to difficult colonoscopies. Materials and Methods: Patients with a prior gastrectomy who had undergone a colonoscopy between 2011 and 2014 (n=482) were matched (1:6) to patients with no history of gastrectomy (n=2,892). Cecal insertion time, intubation failure, and bowel clearance score were compared between the gastrectomy and control groups, as was a newly generated comprehensive parameter for a difficult/incomplete colonoscopy (cecal intubation failure, cecal insertion time >12.9 minutes, or very poor bowel preparation scale). Surgical factors including surgical approach, extent of gastrectomy, extent of lymph node dissection, and reconstruction type, were analyzed to identify risk factors for colonoscopy performance. Results: A history of gastrectomy was associated with prolonged cecal insertion time ($8.7{\pm}6.4$ vs. $9.7{\pm}6.5$ minutes; P=0.002), an increased intubation failure rate (0.1% vs. 1.9%; P<0.001), and a poor bowel preparation rate (24.7 vs. 29.0; P=0.047). Age and total gastrectomy (vs. partial gastrectomy) were found to be independent risk factors for increased insertion time, which slowly increased throughout the postoperative duration (0.35 min/yr). Total gastrectomy was the only independent risk factor for the comprehensive parameter of difficult/incomplete colonoscopy. Conclusions: History of gastrectomy is related to difficult/incomplete colonoscopy performance, especially in cases of total gastrectomy. In any case, it may be that a pre-operative colonoscopy is desirable in selected patients scheduled for gastrectomy; however, it should be performed by an expert endoscopist each time.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.5
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• pp.2027-2029
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• 2015

Background: Laparoscope-assisted gastrectomy in treating patients with gastric cancers developed with a background of highly invasive traditional surgery and is being increasingly performed in the Asian Pacific area. This study systemically investigated the technique and clinical results for comparison with traditional radical subtotal gastrectomy for gastric cancers. Methods: Clinical studies evaluating the effectiveness and side effects of laparoscope-assisted gastrectomy in treating patients with gastric cancers were identified using a predefined search strategy. Summary rates of effectiveness and side effects of laparoscope-assisted gastrectomy were calculated. Results: Thirteen clinical studies which including 1,412 patients with gastric cancer treated by laparoscope-assisted gastrectomy were considered eligible for inclusion. Systemic analysis showed that, for all patients, the pooled resection rate was 100%. Major adverse effects were anastomotic stenosis, abdominal abscess, abdominal bleeding, postoperative ileus. Treatment related death occurred in 0. 71% (10/1412). Conclusion: This systemic analysis suggests that laparoscope-assisted gastrectomy in treating patients with gastric cancers is associated with good curative rate and acceptable complications.

• Journal of Gastric Cancer
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.99-109
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• 2017

Purpose: In this study, we aimed to evaluate the rarely reported long-term nutritional results of patients with gastric cancer after curative gastrectomy. Materials and Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the prospectively collected medical records of 658 patients who underwent radical gastrectomy with curative intent for gastric cancer from January 2008 to December 2009 and had no recurrences. All patients were followed for 5 years. Nutritional statuses were assessed using measurements of body weight, serum hemoglobin, total lymphocyte count (TLC), protein, albumin, cholesterol, and nutritional risk index (NRI). Results: Patients who underwent total gastrectomy had lower body weights, hemoglobin, protein, albumin, and cholesterol levels. TLC and NRI values after the first postoperative year (P<0.05), and lower hemoglobin and NRI values during the fifth postoperative year than patients who underwent distal gastrectomy (P<0.05). Patients who received adjuvant chemotherapy after gastrectomy had lower hemoglobin, protein, albumin, and cholesterol levels. TLC and NRI values during the first postoperative year, than those who underwent gastrectomy only (P<0.05). Regarding post-distal gastrectomy reconstruction, those who underwent Roux-en-Y had lower cholesterol levels than did those who underwent Billroth-I and Billroth-II reconstruction at the first and fifth years after gastrectomy, respectively (P<0.05). Conclusions: Patients undergoing total or distal gastrectomy with Roux-en-Y anastomosis or adjuvant chemotherapy after surgery should be monitored carefully for malnutrition during the first postoperative year, and patients undergoing total gastrectomy should be monitored for malnutrition and anemia for 5 years.

• Journal of Gastric Cancer
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.93-97
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• 2016

Several prospective studies on laparoscopy-assisted distal gastrectomy for early gastric cancer have been initiated, but no prospective study evaluating laparoscopy-assisted total gastrectomy or laparoscopy-assisted proximal gastrectomy has been completed to date. A non-randomized confirmatory trial was commenced in April 2015 to evaluate the safety of laparoscopy-assisted total gastrectomy and laparoscopy-assisted proximal gastrectomy for clinical stage I gastric cancer. A total of 245 patients will be accrued from 42 Japanese institutions over 3 years. The primary endpoint is the proportion of patients with anastomotic leakage. The secondary endpoints are overall survival, relapse-free survival, proportion of patients with completed laparoscopy-assisted total gastrectomy or laparoscopy-assisted proximal gastrectomy, proportion of patients with conversion to open surgery, adverse events, and short-term clinical outcomes. The UMIN Clinical Trials Registry number is UMIN000017155.

• Journal of Gastric Cancer
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• v.13 no.3
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• pp.179-184
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• 2013

Purpose: Postoperative pancreatic fistula is a dreadful complication after gastric cancer surgery. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the actual incidence and risk factors of postoperative pancreatic fistula after curative gastrectomy for gastric cancer. Materials and Methods: A total of 900 patients who underwent gastrectomy for gastric cancer (laparoscopic gastrectomy, 594 patients; open gastrectomy 306 patients) were enrolled between January 2009 and December 2010. Clinical outcomes, including postoperative pancreatic fistula grade based on the International Study Group on Pancreatic Fistula, were investigated. Results: Overall, the postoperative pancreatic fistula rate was 3.3% (30/900) (1.5% in laparoscopic gastrectomy versus 6.9% in open gastrectomy, P<0.001). Patients who underwent D2 lymphadenectomy, total gastrectomy, splenectomy or distal pancreatectomy showed higher postoperative pancreatic fistula rates (4.7%, 13.8%, 13.6%, or 57.1%, respectively, P<0.001). Patients with postoperative pancreatic fistula had higher morbidity (46.7% versus 13.1%, P<0.001), delayed gas out (4.9 days versus 3.8 days, P<0.001), belated diet start (5.8 days versus 3.5 days, P<0.001) and longer postoperative hospital stay (13.7 days versus 6.8 days, P<0.001). On the multivariate analysis, total gastrectomy (odds ratio 9.751, 95% confidence interval: 3.348 to 28.397, P<0.001), distal pancreatectomy (odds ratio 7.637, 95% confidence interval: 1.668 to 34.961, P=0.009) and open gastrectomy (odds ratio 2.934, 95% confidence interval: 1.100 to 7.826, P=0.032) were the independent risk factors of postoperative pancreatic fistula. Conclusions: Laparoscopic gastrectomy had an advantage over open gastrectomy in terms of the lower postoperative pancreatic fistula rate. Total gastrectomy and combined resection, such as distal pancreatectomy, should be performed carefully to minimize postoperative pancreatic fistula in gastric cancer surgery.

• Journal of Gastric Cancer
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• v.11 no.3
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• pp.167-172
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• 2011

Purpose: Peritoneal seeding of gastric cancer is known to have a poor prognosis. With the diagnosis of peritoneal seeding, there is no effective treatment modality. Gastrectomy with chemotherapy or primary chemotherapy is basically one of major options for this condition. This study was conducted to compare the clinical outcomes of these treatments and to identify the better way to improve the prognosis of patients with peritoneal seeding. Materials and Methods: Between 2001 and 2007, gastric cancer patients with peritoneal seeding by preoperative or intraoperative diagnosis were reviewed retrospectively. The enrolled patients were divided as primary gastrectomy and primary chemotherapy group. Clinicopathologic characteristics and clinical outcomes of groups were analyzed and compared. Results: Fifty-four patients were enrolled. 21 patients belonged to the group of primary gastrectomy and 33 patients were to the primary chemotherapy group. Among 33 patients of the primary chemotherapy group, 17 patients were received only chemotherapy and 16 patients were received gastrectomy due to the good responses of primary chemotherapy. The 3 years survival rates were 14% in primary gastrectomy group, 55% in patients who received gastrectomy after primary chemotherapy, and 0% in patients with primary chemotherapy only. Conclusions: Although this study had many limitations, some valuable information was produced. In terms of survival benefits for the gastric cancer patients with peritoneal seeding, primary gastrectomy and additional gastrectomy after primary chemotherapy revealed the better clinical outcomes. But, prospective randomized clinical study and multi-center study should be performed to decide proper treatment for gastric cancer patients with peritoneal seeding.

• Journal of Gastric Cancer
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.51-57
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• 2013

Purpose: Additional gastrectomy is needed after endoscopic resection for early gastric cancer when pathology confirms any possibility of lymph node metastasis or margin involvement. No studies depicted the optimal type of surgery to apply in these patients. We compared the short-term and long-term outcomes of laparoscopic gastrectomy with those of open gastrectomy after endoscopic resection to identify the optimal type of surgery. Materials and Methods: From 2003 to 2010, 110 consecutive patients who underwent gastrectomy with lymphadenectomy either by laparoscopic (n=74) or by open (n=36) for gastric cancer after endoscopic resection were retrospectively analyzed. Postoperative and oncological outcomes were compared according to types of surgical approach. Results: Clinicopathological characteristics were comparable between the two groups. Laparoscopic group showed significantly shorter time to gas passing and soft diet and hospital day than open group while operation time and rate of postoperative complications were comparable between the two groups. All specimens had negative margins regardless of types of approach. Mean number of retrieved lymph nodes did not differ significantly between the two groups. During the median follow-up of 47 months, there were no statistical differences in recurrence rate (1.4% for laparoscopic and 5.6% for open, P=0.25) and in overall (P=0.22) and disease-free survival (P=0.19) between the two groups. Type of approach was not an independent risk factor for recurrence and survival. Conclusions: Laparoscopic gastrectomy after endoscopic resection showed comparable oncologic outcomes to open approach while maintaining benefits of minimally invasive surgery. Thus, laparoscopic gastrectomy can be a treatment of choice for patients previously treated by endoscopic resection.