Laparoscopy-assisted versus open surgery for gastrointestinal stromal tumors of jejunum and ileum: perioperative outcomes and long-term follow-up experience.

Whether laparoscopy-assisted resections for gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) of small bowel can achieve more benefits on the aspect of postoperative outcomes than open surgery remains a question. The aim of this study is to evaluate the benefits of laparoscopy-assisted surgery for GISTs of jejunum and ileum on the perioperative outcomes and long-term relapse-free survival. From January 2004 to December 2010, 81 patients who underwent either laparoscopy-assisted (LAP group, n = 43) or open surgery (OPEN group, n = 38) were included in final analysis after the eligibility criteria. Clinicopathological characteristics of the selected patients were similar between the two groups. Oral intake was significant earlier (P < 0.001) and postoperative hospital stay duration was significantly shorter (P < 0.001) in the LAP group than in the OPEN group. The complication rate of patients in the LAP group and OPEN group was 9.3 and 26.3 per cent, respectively (P = 0.04). No significant difference was observed in terms of 5-year relapse-free survival between LAP and OPEN groups (91.1 vs 93.8%, P = 0.4). Laparoscopy-assisted surgery for GISTs of jejunum and ileum could get preferable short-term postoperative outcomes and similar long-term relapse-free survival compared with open surgery, so it should be recommended for GISTs of the small intestine.