The short- and long-term effect of membrane anatomy-guided laparoscopic D2 lymphadenectomy plus regional complete mesogastrium excision for locally advanced gastric cancer

Abstract

Objective: Retrospectively analyzed the short- and long-term efficacy between laparoscopic D2 lymphadenectomy plus regional complete mesogastrium excision (D2 + rCME) and traditional laparoscopic D2 in the treatment of patients with locally advanced gastric cancer (LAGC), in order to obtain more evidence for D2 + rCME gastrectomy.

Methods: A total of 599 LAGC patients who underwent laparoscopy-assisted radical gastrectomy from January 2014 to December 2019, including 367 cases in the D2 + rCME group and 232 cases in the D2 group. Intraoperative and postoperative clinicopathological parameters, postoperative complications and long-term survival in the two groups were statistically analyzed.

Results: No significant differences in the positive rate of mesogastric tumor deposits, the number of positive lymph nodes and postoperative length of stay were found between the two groups (P > 0.05). In the D2 + rCME group, intraoperative blood loss was significantly reduced (84.20 ± 57.64 ml vs. 148.47 ± 76.97 ml, P < 0.001), the time to first postoperative flatus and first liquid diet intake were significantly shortened (3[2-3] days vs. 3[3-3] days, P < 0.001; 7[7-8] days vs. 8[7-8] days, P < 0.001), and the number of lymph nodes dissected was greater (43.57 ± 16.52 pieces vs. 36.72 ± 13.83 pieces, P < 0.001). The incidence of complications did not significantly differ between the D2 + rCME group (20.7%) and D2 group (19.4%) (P > 0.05). Although there was no statistically difference in 3-year OS and DFS between the two groups. However, the trend was better in D2 + rCME group. In subgroup analysis, patients with positive tumor deposits (TDs) in the D2 + rCME group had significantly better 3-year DFS compared With D2 group (P < 0.05).

Conclusion: Laparoscopic D2 + rCME is safe and feasible for the treatment of LAGC and is characterized by less bleeding, greater lymph node dissection and rapid recovery, without increasing postoperative complications. D2 + rCME group showed a better trend of long-term efficacy, especially significant beneficial for LAGC patients who with positive TDs.

Keywords: Advanced gastric cancer; D2 lymphadenectomy; Gastrectomy; Laparoscope; Membrane anatomy; Mesogastric excision.