Successful laparoscopic gastric resection and safe introduction of a single-incision technique for gastric submucosal tumors located near the esophagogastric junction

Is single incision laparoscopic surgery (SILS) for gastric gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) dependent on the location of the tumor?

BACKGROUND

We compared the surgical outcomes of single-incision laparoscopic surgery (SILS) and conventional laparoscopic surgery (CLS) for gastric gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST).

METHODS

We performed single-incision gastric wedge resection on prospectively-enrolled 15 consecutive patients with gastric GIST between November 2020 and April 2022 in a single tertiary center. The early perioperative outcomes of these patients were compared to those of patients who underwent CLS. The indications did not differ from those for conventional laparoscopic procedures for gastric GIST.

RESULTS

In total, 30 patients were assigned to the SILS (n = 15) and CLS (n = 15) groups. There were no significant differences in the estimated blood loss and intraoperative blood transfusion between the SILS and CLS groups. There were no intraoperative complications or conversions to multiple-port or open surgery in the SILS group. Proximally located tumors were more commonly treated with CLS than with SILS (P = 0.045). GISTs located in the greater curvature were more commonly treated with SILS than with CLS, although the difference was not statistically significant (P = 0.08). The mean incision length in the SILS group was 4.1 cm shorter than that in the CLS group (3.2 ± 0.7 and 7.3 ± 5.2 cm, respectively, P = 0.01). The postoperative analgesic dose was significantly lower in the SILS than in the CLS group (0.4 ± 1.4 and 2.1 ± 2.3, respectively P = 0.01). Also, the duration of postoperative use of analgesic was shorter in SILS than in CLS (0.4 ± 0.7 and 2.0 ± 1.8, respectively, P = 0.01). There were no significant differences in the early postoperative complications between the groups.

CONCLUSIONS

SILS is as safe, feasible, and effective for the treatment of gastric GIST as CLS with comparable postoperative complications, pain, and cosmesis. Moreover, SILS can be considered without being affected by the type or location of the tumor.

Safety of laparoscopic local resection for gastrointestinal stromal tumors near the esophagogastric junction

PURPOSE

Laparoscopic local resection for gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) near the esophagogastric junction (EGJ) increases the risk of injuring the EGJ. We investigated the safety of laparoscopic local resection for GISTs near the EGJ according to the distance from the EGJ to the tumor edge.

METHODS

We retrospectively evaluated 40 patients who had undergone laparoscopic local resection for GISTs near the EGJ between January 2009 and December 2019. After excluding 1 patient who had undergone right colectomy at the same time, 39 patients were classified according to distance of the GIST from the EGJ in the Near group (0-2.0 cm; n = 16) and the Far group (2.1-5.0 cm; n = 23).

RESULTS

We found no marked differences in the operation time, blood loss, length of postoperative hospital stay, or postoperative complication rate in the two groups. Anastomotic leakage occurred with a tumor located on the EGJ. Three tumors recurred in the Near group, and all of them were located on the EGJ.

CONCLUSION

Except for GISTs located on the EGJ, laparoscopic local resection for GISTs near the EGJ can be performed safely with few postoperative complications and a low risk of recurrence.

Evaluation of the result of single-incision laparoscopic surgery for gastrointestinal stromal tumors in the stomach

BACKGROUND

Single-incision laparoscopic surgery (SILS) has recently been used for the management of gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST). Here, the feasibility and effectiveness of SILS for GIST and indications for SILS according to tumor location were investigated.

CASE PRESENTATION

From July 2009 to May to 2013, a total of 14 patients underwent SILS for GIST. In 14 patients, 5 patients had tumor near the esophagogastric junction, 4 patients on the lesser curvature, 2 patients on the anterior wall, 2 patients on the posterior wall, and 1 patient on the greater curvature. The surgery of one patient with lesser curvature tumor was converted to conventional laparoscopic surgery because of technical difficulties. Another patient required re-operation because of a posterior wall tumor causing gastric obstruction. There was no complication in patients with tumors on the anterior wall and greater curvature.

CONCLUSIONS

Because SILS for GISTs located mainly on the anterior wall was feasible, SILS may be considered the most appropriate type of laparoscopic surgery for GISTs in this location. However, for GISTs on the posterior wall or with lesser curvature, which require more complex management, SILS is challenging and should be carefully adapted.

Appropriate Follow-Up Strategies for Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumor Patients Based on the Analysis of Recurrent Interval and Patterns

BACKGROUND/AIMS

Previous studies have proposed risk classifications for patients with gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) after resection and have contributed to the prediction of its prognosis. However, optimal postoperative surveillance has not yet been established.

METHODS

We retrospectively analyzed data from 115 GIST patients who experienced recurrence after complete resection. The relationships between clinicopathological characteristics and the first recurrence sites, or time to recurrence (TTR), were investigated. We also compared the characteristics between 2 subgroups based on a TTR of ≤5 or >5 years.

RESULTS

The first recurrence occurred in the abdomen in 114 of 115 patients (99.1%); one case of esophageal GIST recurred in the lung. Gastric and small intestinal GISTs recurred most frequently in the liver or peritoneum, while the most common recurrences of colorectal GISTs were found to be local. Fourteen patients (12.2%) experienced recurrence after >5 years. Smaller tumors and those categorized as lower risk were significantly more frequent in the TTR >5 years group than in the TTR ≤5 years group. In the TTR >5 years group, local recurrence was the most frequent type of recurrence (42.9%).

CONCLUSION

Based on abdominal examination, postoperative surveillance after complete resection for primary GISTs may be recommended for >5 years.

Successful Intracorporeal Suturing Following Laparoscopic Resection of a Large Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumor Located at the Esophagogastric Junction

Laparoscopic partial resection of gastric gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) ≤5 cm in size is widely performed, whereas that of large GISTs (size >5 cm) is controversial because of oncologic and technical safety. Furthermore, laparoscopic resection of GISTs located at the esophagogastric junction (EGJ) is difficult because of the high risk of narrowing or/and deformity of the EGJ. In the current study we report a case of laparoscopic partial resection of a large GIST located at the EGJ. A 74-year-old female patient visited our institution complaining of epigastric discomfort. An esophagogastroduodenoscopy and an abdominal computed tomography scan revealed a 7.5 × 4.0 cm GIST at the EGJ and upper stomach. The patient underwent laparoscopic partial resection with intracorporeal suturing, without any breakage of the pseudocapsule. The defect of the esophagogastric wall after resection was closed by intracorporeal running suture. The patient's postoperative course was uneventful. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of laparoscopic resection of a large GIST located at the EGJ. Our technique of intracorporeal manual suturing following laparoscopic gastric resection can be a valid option for minimally invasive surgery for a large GIST located at the EGJ.