Is minimally invasive surgery for large gastric GIST actually safe? A comparative analysis of short- and long-term outcomes

Is laparoscopic approach as treatment of large gastric GIST acceptable?

AIM

Laparoscopic surgery is widely used for small gastric gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) (≤ 5 cm) but remains a controversial approach for larger gastric GISTs (> 5 cm). This study aims to compare short- and long-term outcomes of laparoscopic resection in comparison with open resection for gastric GISTs measuring over 5 cm.

METHOD

All patients receiving surgery for gastric GIST > 5 cm between 2000 and 2021 in a single tertiary hospital were included. Data were collected from prospectively maintained records. Kaplan-Meier method and log rank test were used to compare survival outcomes.

RESULTS

Among 108 included patients, 59 patients had minimally invasive (MI) surgery (54.6%) whereas 49 patients had open surgery (46.4%). The rate of overall postoperative morbidity was 14.8% and the median length was significantly shorter in the MI group [4 (range 2-30) vs. 7 (range 4-33) days; P = 0.007]. The overall R0 resection rate was 98.2% and the rate of tumor rupture was 13%, not different between the two groups. Recurrence occurred in 24% of the whole population without any difference between groups (20.3% vs. 28.7%, p = 0.31). Minimally invasive surgery was not found as a negative prognostic disease-free survival factor.

CONCLUSION

Laparoscopic surgery could be a safe and feasible alternative to open surgery in large gastric GIST, bringing the benefits of minimally invasive surgery without compromising oncologic results.

Understanding Gastric GIST: From Pathophysiology to Personalized Treatment

Background: Gastric gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) represent a subset of gastrointestinal tumors predominantly found in the stomach. Despite their rarity, these tumors carry significant implications for patient health and management. GISTs are potentially malignant tumors with unpredictable progression. They originate from the interstitial cells of Cajal, which are positioned between the intramural neurons and the smooth muscle cells of the digestive tract. These tumors are characterized primarily by mutations in the c-Kit gene, as well as other mutations such as those in the platelet-derived growth factor receptor alpha (PDGFRA) gene. Methods: Our comprehensive search across five databases initially yielded 2976 articles. After eliminating 197 duplicates, we screened the titles and abstracts of 2779 articles, excluding 2692 for not meeting the inclusion criteria. During the full-text screening, 16 more articles were excluded. Ultimately, 71 papers met the inclusion criteria and were included in our analysis. Results: Due to differences in study designs, inclusion criteria for patients, and reported outcomes, a meta-analysis was not conducted. The accurate diagnosis of GIST is established through histopathological examination and immunohistochemistry. Histopathologically, GISTs are classified into three main types: spindle cell, epithelioid, and mixed. The therapeutic management of GIST involves surgery, endoscopic treatment, and chemotherapy. Conclusions: The prognosis for GIST patients depends on various factors, including risk category, disease stage, applied treatments, and recurrence post-treatment. A significant recent advancement comes from artificial intelligence, which can be increasingly involved in both the diagnosis and treatment of this tumor.

Improvement of perioperative outcomes of gastric gastrointestinal stromal tumour (GIST) resections and the influence of minimal invasive surgery

BACKGROUND

Safety of minimally invasive surgery (MIS) for gastrointestinal stromal tumours (GISTs) is still under debate since it might increase the risk of tumour rupture, especially in larger tumours. The aim of this study was to investigate trends in treatment and perioperative outcomes of patients undergoing resections of gastric GISTs over time.

METHODS

This was a multicentre retrospective study of consecutive patients who underwent wedge resection or partial gastrectomy for localized gastric GIST at five GIST reference centres between January 2009 and January 2022. To evaluate changes in treatment and perioperative outcomes over time, patients were divided into four equal periods. Perioperative outcomes were analysed separately and as a novel composite measure textbook outcome (TO).

RESULTS

In total 385 patients were included. Patient and tumour characteristics did not change over time, except for median age (62-65-68-68 years, p = 0.002). The proportion of MIS increased (4.0%-9.8%-37.4%-53.0 %, p < 0.001). Postoperative complications (Clavien Dindo ≥2; 22%-15%-11%-10 %, p = 0.146), duration of admission (6-6-5-4 days, p < 0.001) and operating time (92-94-77-73 min, p = 0.007) decreased over time while TO increased (54.0%- 52.7%-65.9%-76.0 %, p < 0.001). No change was seen in perioperative ruptures (6.0%- 3.6%-1.6%-3.0 %, p = 0.499). MIS was correlated with less CD ≥ 2 complications (p = 0.006), shorter duration of admission (p < 0.001) and more TO (p < 0.001). Similar results were observed in tumours ≤5 cm and >5 cm.

CONCLUSION

A larger percentage of gastric GIST were treated with MIS over time. MIS was correlated with less complications, shorter duration of admission and more TO. Tumour rupture rates remained low over time.

Endoscopic resection of extra-luminal gastric gastrointestinal stromal tumors using a snare assisted external traction technique (with video)

OBJECTIVE

The primary purpose of the study was to explore the clinical efficacy of the novel snare assisted endoscopic resection of extraluminal growing gastric gastrointestinal stromal tumors (gastric GISTs) using external traction, and the secondary purpose was to compare the novel snare assisted endoscopic resection of extraluminal GISTs with the standard laparoscopic procedure.

METHODS

We retrospectively analyzed the patients who underwent novel external traction assisted endoscopic resection or laparoscopic resection for their extraluminal gastric GIST ≤5 cm in diameter.

RESULTS

A total of 111 patients (27 in the endoscopic group and 84 in the laparoscopic group) were included in this study. There was no significant difference in tumor diameter and complication rate between the two groups. The overall procedure time was slightly higher in the endoscopic group compared to the laparoscopic group (P = 0.034). However, postoperative hospitalization time (P < 0.001) and postoperative fasting time (P = 0.005) were shorter in the endoscopic group compared to the laparoscopic group.

CONCLUSION

Snare external traction-assisted endoscopic resection of extraluminal growing gastric GISTs is safe and effective, and it provides a new adjunctive method for endoscopic resection of GIST.

Classification of GIST and other benign gastric tumors based on minimally invasive surgical strategy

PURPOSE

Gastrointestinal mesenchymal tumors (GMTs) include malignant, intermediate malignancy, and benign lesions. The aim is to propose a new surgical classification to guide the intraoperative minimally invasive surgical strategy in case of non-malignant GMTs less than 5 cm.

METHODS

Primary endpoint is the creation of a classification regarding minimally invasive surgical technique for these tumors based on their gastric location. Secondary endpoint is to analyze the R0 rate and the postoperative morbidity and mortality rates. Tumors were classified in two groups based on their morphology (group A: exophytic, group B: transmural/intragastric). Each group is then divided based on the tumor location and consequently surgical technique used in subgroup: AI (whole stomach area) and AII (iuxta-cardial and pre-pyloric areas) both for the anterior and posterior gastric wall; BIa (greater curvature on the anterior and posterior wall), BIb (lesser curvature on the anterior wall); BII (iuxta-cardial and pre-pyloric area in the anterior and posterior wall, including the lesser curvature on the posterior wall).

RESULTS

Forty-two patients were classified and allocated in each subgroup: 17 in AI, 2 in AII, 5 in BIa, 3 in BIb, and 15 in BII. Two postoperative Clavien-Dindo I complications (4.8%, subgroup BIa and BIb) occurred. One patient (2.4%, subgroup AI) underwent reintervention due to R0 resection.

CONCLUSIONS

This classification proved to be able to classify gastric lesions based on their morphology, location, and surgical treatment, obtaining encouraging perioperative results. Further studies with wider sample of patients are required to draw definitive conclusions.

Efficacy analysis of endoscopic treatment of giant gastric gastrointestinal stromal tumors (≥5 cm)

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the safety, feasibility and prognosis of endoscopic treatment of giant (≥5 cm) gastric gastrointestinal stromal tumors (gastric GISTs).

METHODS

Data from patients who underwent surgical resection of nonmetastatic gastric GISTs in our hospital from January 2016 to February 2022 were collected. The patients were divided into an endoscopic group and a laparoscopic group according to the surgical method. The clinical data and tumor recurrence information were compared between the two groups.

RESULTS

Eighteen cases were collected in the endoscopic group and sixty-three cases in the laparoscopic group. There were no significant differences in age, gender, tumor diameter, tumor growth site, tumor growth mode, clinical manifestations, risk classification or complication rate between the two groups (P > 0.05). The hospitalization cost, length of postoperative hospital stay and postoperative fasting time of the endoscopic group were less than those of the laparoscopic group, while the operation time was greater than that of the laparoscopic group (P < 0.05). In the endoscopic group, the follow-up was 33.50 ± 19.410 months, and no patients were lost to follow-up. The laparoscopic group was followed up for 59.07 ± 12.964 months, and eleven patients were lost to follow-up. There was no recurrence or metastasis in the two groups during the follow-up.

CONCLUSION

Endoscopic resection of gastric GIST with a diameter ≥5 cm is technically feasible. And it not only achieves a short-term prognosis similar to laparoscopic resection but also has the advantages of rapid postoperative recovery and low cost.

Factors associated with conversion in laparoscopic surgery in a low-resource setting: a single-center prospective study

INTRODUCTION

Laparoscopy has a clear patient benefit related to postoperative morbidity but may not be as commonly performed in low-and middle-income countries. The decision to convert to laparotomy can be complex and involve factors related to the surgeon, patient, and procedure. The objective of this work is to analyze the factors associated with conversion in laparoscopic surgery in a low-resource setting.

METHODS

This is a single-center prospective study of patients who underwent laparoscopic surgery between May 1, 2018 and October 31, 2021. The parameters studied were age, sex, body mass index (BMI), intraoperative complication (e.g., accidental enterotomy, hemorrhage), equipment malfunction (e.g., technical failure of the equipment, break in CO2 supply line), operating time, and conversion rate.

RESULTS

A total of 123 laparoscopic surgeries were performed. The average age of patients was 31.2 years (range 11-75). The procedures performed included appendix procedures (48%), followed by gynecological (18.7%), gallbladder (14.6%), digestive (10.56%), and abdominal procedures (4%). The average length of hospitalization was 3 days (range 1-16). Conversion to laparotomy was reported in 8.9% (n = 11) cases. Equipment malfunction was encountered in 9.8% (n = 12) cases. Surgical complications were noted in 11 cases (8.9%). Risk factors for conversion were shown to be BMI > 25 kg/m2 (OR 4.6; p = 0.034), intraoperative complications (OR 12.6; p = 0.028), and equipment malfunction (OR 9.4; p = 0.002).

CONCLUSION

A better understanding of the underlying factors associated with high conversion rates, such as overweight/obesity, intraoperative complications, and equipment failure, is the first step toward surgical planning to reduce postoperative morbidity in low-resource settings.

Laparoscopic Wedge Resection for Gastric Mesenchymal Tumor – Small Case Series

" Introduction: Gastric mesenchymal tumors are a pathology that is increasing in incidence in recent years but the treatment is not yet standardized. The laparoscopic approach to these lesions is a modern option, with the patient benefiting from the advantages of minimally invasive surgery. Methods: We included in the study 4 patients operated laparoscopically for suspicion of gastric GISTs between Mars 2019 and May 2022. From a prospectively kept database, we extracted the following characteristics: age, sex, length of postoperative hospital admission, operation time, tumor location, tumor size, histopathological assessment of resection margins, intraoperative blood loss, and incidence of postoperative complications. Results: Average tumor size was 4.3 cm, ranging from 4 to 6 cm. Laparoscopic wedge resection was possible in all cases. There was no conversion, no episode of tumor rupture or spillage, and no major intraoperative complications. Histology confirmed a GIST in 3 of 4 cases. In one case histological workup showed gastric schwannoma. Conclusion: Laparoscopic wedge resection for gastric stromal tumors, even larger than 5 cm, appears to be safe and feasible in selected patients, with acceptable operative time and oncological outcome after an intermediate follow-up. More important than the size of tumors that are approached laparoscopically is their location and the possibility of a stenosis-free resection."