Comparison of short-term efficacy of laparoscopy-assisted and open gastrectomy with D2 lymph node dissection for advanced gastric cancer        LI Ping,HUANG Chang-Ming,ZHENG Chao-Hui,et a1.Department of  Gastric Surgery, Fujian Medical University Union Hospital, Fuzhou 350001, China
Correspondence author: HUANG Chang-ming, E-mail: hcmlr2002@163.com
Abstract    Objective    The aim of this study is to evaluate the technical feasibility, safety, and short-term efficacy of laparoscopy-assisted gastrectomy (LAG) for advanced gastric cancer (AGC). Methods    A retrospective case-control study was performed comparing LAG and OG for AGC. 148 patients with AGC underwent LAG between January 2010 and December 2011 were enrolled and these patients were compared with 148 AGC patients underwent OG during the same period. The comparison was based on the operative and postoperative measures, and follow-up results. Results  The first ambulation time, time to ?rst ?atus and time of resume fluids did not differ between the two groups(P＞0.05), while the operation time, the blood loss, transfused patient number, time of resume soft diet, and post-operative stay were significantly less in LAG group than those in OG group (P＜0.05). The postoperative complication rate of LAG group was significantly lower than OG group (P＜0.05). The mean number of resected lymph nodes (LNS) between the LAG group and OG group was similar (33.0±10.6 vs. 31.0±8.0). Furthermore, the mean number of removed LNS in each station was not significantly different in the distal gastrectomy and total gastrectomy (P＞0.05) except the No.6 station LN dissection in the distal gastrectomy of LAG (P<0.05). No statistical difference was seen in 1 year survival rate (80.4%vs. 77.7% P＞0.05) and the survival curve after surgery between the LAG group and OG group. Conclusion  Laparoscopy-assisted D2 radical gastrectomy is feasible, effective and has comparative short-term efficacy compared with open gastrectomy for advanced gastric cancer.