[Combined laparoscopic/endoscopic treatment of gastric stroma tumors].

INTRODUCTION

Surgical therapy of Gastrointestinal stroma tumor (GIST) is the treatment of choice. Local resection will be carried out if technically possible. We describe the technique of laparoscopic wedge resection combined with intraoperative gastroscopy in order to achieve complete tumor resection.

METHOD

We report on 4 cases with gastrointestinal stroma tumors which were located in the gastric corpus (n = 2) and the cardia (n = 2).

RESULTS

In all patients the tumor could be removed completely without any perioperative complications using laparoscopic wedge resection controlled by intraoperative endoscopy. The duration of hospitalisation after operation was 7 days (5-10). On the basis of the mean tumor size (mean 3.8 cm) and the low mitotic activity (mean 2.75/high power fields) the tumors belong to the group with low malignant potential. There is no evidence of recurrence after a mean follow up period of 23 (6-30) months.

CONCLUSION

Combined laparoscopic/endoscopic wedge resection is a safe method for total resection of GIST of the stomach and should be preferred as alternative to open surgery.