BACKGROUND: The efficacy and feasibility of laparoscopic surgery (LAP) for gastric GISTs >5 cm has not been adequately assessed. Here we investigated the clinical outcomes of these patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Twenty-seven consecutive patients who underwent resection for gastric GISTs >5 cm were enrolled in this retrospective study. We assessed the tumor characteristics, surgical outcomes, tumor recurrence, and patient survival in the open surgery (OPEN) group and in the LAP group. RESULTS: The tumor size in the OPEN group was larger than that in the LAP group, but there were no differences in the mitotic count. There were no differences in operative complications. Finally, there were no differences in the disease-free and no patients in the LAP group died. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with gastric GISTs >5 cm, LAP can be performed with outcomes equivalent to those of OPEN if patient selection and intraoperative judgment are appropriate.
BACKGROUND: The efficacy and feasibility of laparoscopic surgery (LAP) for gastric GISTs >5 cm has not been adequately assessed. Here we investigated the clinical outcomes of these patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Twenty-seven consecutive patients who underwent resection for gastric GISTs >5 cm were enrolled in this retrospective study. We assessed the tumor characteristics, surgical outcomes, tumor recurrence, and patient survival in the open surgery (OPEN) group and in the LAP group. RESULTS: The tumor size in the OPEN group was larger than that in the LAP group, but there were no differences in the mitotic count. There were no differences in operative complications. Finally, there were no differences in the disease-free and no patients in the LAP group died. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with gastric GISTs >5 cm, LAP can be performed with outcomes equivalent to those of OPEN if patient selection and intraoperative judgment are appropriate.