Simultaneous operation of laparoscopy-assisted distal gastrectomy with laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Laparoscopy-assisted distal gastrectomy (LADG) is now being performed increasingly in Japan, while laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) is still the standard procedure used elsewhere in the world. However, there has been no report on simultaneous operation of LADG and LC. This study aimed to evaluate the combined use of these 2 procedures.

METHODOLOGY

LADG was performed in 55 patients with early gastric cancer between January 2000 and December 2002. Seven of 55 patients (12.7%) simultaneously underwent LC. These 7 patients all presented with gallbladder stones (asymptomatic in 5, and symptomatic in 2).

RESULTS

There was no conversion to conventional open surgery for all cases. Mean operation time and estimated blood loss were 359 +/- 61 min and 59 +/- 154mL, respectively. Time to walk independently was 1.5 +/- 0.6 days, time to first passage was 2.7 +/- 1.0 days, and postoperative hospital stay was 20.7 +/- 15.3 days. Only one of the 7 cases had minor complications of liver dysfunction and pancreatitis, which were treated conservatively.

CONCLUSIONS

The simultaneous operation of LADG and LC is feasible and safe in patients with early gastric cancer and cholelithiasis.