Laparoscopic organ-preserving gastric resection improves the quality of life in stromal tumor patients: an observational study with 23 patients

AIM:

The aim of this study is to investigate whether organ preserving gastrectomy (OPG) would yield a greater ability to save more tissue and functions of the stomach and eventually provide better quality of postoperative life (QoPL) for patients with primary gastric gastroinstestinal stromal tumor (PG-GIST).

MATERIAL AND METHODS:

A retrospective analysis of 23 consecutive patients with PG-GIST who underwent laparoscopic conventional surgery and OPG from June 2008 to December 2016 was performed. Gastrointestinal quality of life index (GIQLI), the area of tumor-free tissue (TFT), body mass index, and postoperative complications were recorded.

RESULTS:

Both first-and sixth-month GIQLI scores (mean= 105.4±9.5 and 117.0±11.1, respectively) were significantly higher than baseline scores (mean= 100.9±10.2) of the study population (z=-3.32 and-3.86, p= 0.001 and 0.0001, respectively). GIQLI scores were inversely related to TFT area (r=-0.635, p= 0.001). Linear regression analysis revealed 0.130 decrease in GIQLI scores at 6 months each cm2 of removed TFT area.

CONCLUSION:

Laparoscopic OPG seems to be useful in terms of oncologic safety, minimizing the excessive resection of TFT and maximizing the gastric remnant, thereby improving the QoPL of the patients.

KEY WORDS: Function-preserving surgery, Gastric stromal tumor, GIST, GIQLI, Laparoscopic gastrectomy.