Safe laparoscopic resection of a gastric gastrointestinal stromal tumor close to the esophagogastric junction.

Laparoscopic gastrectomy is commonly performed for gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs). Partial gastrectomy is usually achieved with a wedge resection to preserve gastric function; however, performing a wedge resection to excise a large tumor located close to the esophagogastric junction (EGJ) can result in deformation of the stomach and/or the stenosis of the EGJ if the gastric wall resection is excessive. We describe our procedure, in which the whole layer of the gastric wall was cut, maintaining a sufficient margin and confirming the distance between the tumor and the EGJ, by endoscopy and laparoscopy. The defect in the gastric wall was closed using linear staplers by hanging up the stay sutures. Five patients with GIST close to EGJ underwent this procedure, followed by a good postoperative course. Thus, we consider our procedure to be safe and effective for gastric GISTs close to the EGJ.

[A case of imatinib-resistant GIST treated by sunitinib].

We report a case of imatinib-resistant GIST, successfully treated by sunitinib. A 62-year-old man with high-grade fever and a huge abdominal tumor was diagnosed with malignant GIST and multiple liver metastases. We performed total gastrectomy combined with distal pancreatectomy, and splenectomy for palliation. Imatinib at a dose of 300mg/day was administered postoperatively, and the liver metastases was well controlled. After nine months, abdominal dissemination increased, and we raised the dose of imatinib to 400mg/day for the progressive state. Subsequently, we had to discontinue imatinib due to its adverse effects. Because the tumors progressed greatly while imatinib was discontinued, we changed to sunitinib. After wards, tumors reduced and his general condition improved remarkably. Although tumors progressed after five months, he was able to obtain good QOL during the administration of sunitinib. Sunitinib is useful for imatinib-resistant GIST, and may be a promising treatment even for patients with poor PS.

The impact of obesity on the use of a totally laparoscopic distal gastrectomy in patients with gastric cancer.

PURPOSE: Since a patient's obesity can affect the mortality and morbidity of the surgery, less drastic surgeries may have a major benefit for obese individuals. This study evaluated the feasibility of performing a totally laparoscopic distal gastrectomy, with intracorporeal anastomosis, in obese patients suffering from gastric cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a retrospective analysis of the 138 patients, who underwent a totally laparoscopic distal gastrectomy from April 2005 to March 2009, at the National Kyushu Cancer Center. The body mass index of 20 patients was ≥25, and in 118 patients, it was <25 kg/m(2). RESULTS: The mean values of body mass index in the 2 groups were 27.3±2.2 and 21.4±2.3. Hypertension was significantly more frequent in the obese patients than in the non-obese patients. The intraoperative blood loss, duration of surgery, post-operative complication rate, post-operative hospital stay, and a number of retrieved lymph nodes were not significantly different between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: Intracorporeal anastomosis seemed to have a benefit for obese individuals. Totally laparoscopic gastrectomy is, therefore, considered to be a safe and an effective modality for obese patients.

Totally Laparoscopic Gastrectomy for Gastric Cancer Associated with Recklinghausen's Disease.

This paper documents the first case of gastric cancer associated with Recklinghausen's disease, which was successfully treated by a totally laparoscopic operation. A 67-year-old woman with Recklinghausen's disease was referred to this department to undergo surgical treatment for early gastric cancer. The physical examination showed multiple cutaneous neurofibromas throughout the body surface, which made an upper abdominal incision impossible. Laparoscopic surgery requiring only small incisions was well indicated, and a totally laparoscopic distal gastrectomy with lymph node dissection was performed. Billroth I reconstruction was done intra-abdominally using a delta-shaped anastomosis. The patient followed a satisfactory postoperative course with no complications. Since the totally laparoscopic gastrectomy has many advantages over open surgery, it should therefore be preferentially used as a less invasive treatment in the field of gastric cancer.