Surgical effects of obesity on laparoscopy-assisted distal gastrectomy.

Authors :: Kawamura H
Tanioka T
Funakoshi T
Takahashi M
Source :: Surgical laparoscopy, endoscopy & percutaneous techniques [Surg Laparosc Endosc Percutan Tech] 2011 Jun; Vol. 21 (3), pp. 155-61.
Publication Year :: 2011
Abstract: Purpose: To compare the effects of obesity on laparoscopy-assisted distal gastrectomy (LADG) and open distal gastrectomy (ODG).<br />Methods: A retrospective study was conducted on 249 patients, who underwent LADG and 224 patients who underwent ODG.<br />Results: The regression coefficient of the primary regression equation between operative time and body mass index (BMI) for LADG was greater than ODG; and between blood loss and BMI for LADG was almost the same as ODG. In overweight patients (BMI ≥25), no significant difference was seen between LADG and ODG regarding postoperative complications, and the benefits of the less-invasive nature of LADG were also seen in some parameters.<br />Conclusion: Obesity-associated difficulties are more while performing LADG than during ODG; however, the influence of obesity on LADG decreases with surgical experience. Moreover, even in overweight patients, the benefits of the less-invasive nature of LADG still remain, but the degree of the benefits is smaller than that in nonobese patients.