Randomized controlled trial comparing short-term outcomes of laparoscopic and open spleen-preserving splenic hilar lymphadenectomy for advanced proximal gastric cancer: An interim report.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

We compared the clinical outcomes of laparoscopic and open spleen-preserving splenic hilar lymphadenectomy (LSPL and OSPL) for gastric cancer.

METHODS

We performed a single-center, randomized, controlled trial to compare the short-term surgical outcomes between LSPL and OSPL. The study was registered in ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT02980861).

RESULTS

A total of 222 patients were enrolled (114 in the LSPL group and 108 in the OSPL group). There were no significant differences between the two groups in operative time (P = 0.152), a number of harvested lymph nodes (P = 0.669) including no. 10 lymph nodes (2.1 ± 1.4 vs 2.3 ± 1.2, P = 0.713). The time taken for no. 10 lymph node dissection was similar in both groups (13.9 ± 10.4 vs 15.2 ± 9.4 minutes, P = 0.217); however, the LSPL group experienced less total blood loss (P < 0.001) and less blood loss during no. 10 lymph node dissection compared with the OSPL group (15.3 ± 37.8 vs 29.5 ± 36.4 mL, P < 0.001). The postoperative complication rates of LSPL and OSPL were 18.3% and 16.1%, respectively (P = 0.331).

CONCLUSION

LSPL is a safe and feasible surgical procedure in no. 10 LN dissection for patients with advanced proximal gastric cancer. Thus, this prospective trial is continuing.