Short- and Long-term Outcomes of Surgical Treatment for Remnant Gastric Cancer After Distal Gastrectomy.

BACKGROUND/AIM: Remnant gastric cancer (RGC) after distal gastrectomy occurs in 1-2% of patients, while the biological features of RGC are unknown.

PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 22 consecutive patients with RGC who underwent total gastrectomy were analyzed. Their disease history included either gastric cancer (n=16) or peptic ulcer (n=6). Overall, 18 underwent open total gastrectomy (OTG) and 4 underwent laparoscopic total gastrectomy (LTG).

RESULTS: The mean number of lymph nodes dissected and metastatic lymph nodes was larger in the Ulcer group than in the Carcinoma group (p<0.005). The mean operation time was longer in the LTG than OTG (p<0.005). The median blood loss tended to be smaller in the LTG (p=0.090). Five-year overall and recurrence-free survival rates were 94% and 81%, respectively.

CONCLUSION: The status of lymph node metastasis after surgery for RGC should be cautiously considered in the context of disease history. Both LTG and OTG can be treatment options for RGC.