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Background: Oncologic outcomes after laparoscopic gastrectomy for advanced gastric cancer in the West have been poorly investigated. The aim of the present study was to compare survival outcomes in patients undergoing curative-intent laparoscopic and open gastrectomy for advanced gastric cancer in several centres belonging to the Italian Research Group for Gastric Cancer. Methods: Data of patients operated between 2015 and 2018 were retrospectively analysed. Propensity Score Matching was performed to balance baseline characteristics of patients undergoing laparoscopic and open gastrectomy. The primary endpoint was 3-year overall survival. Secondary endpoints were 3-year disease-free survival and short-term outcomes. Multivariable regression analyses for survival were conducted. Results: Data were retrieved from 20 centres. Of the 717 patients included, 438 patients were correctly matched, 219 per group. The 3-year overall survival was 73.6% and 68.7% in the laparoscopic and open group, respectively (p = 0.40). When compared with open gastrectomy, laparoscopic gastrectomy showed comparable 3-year disease-free survival (62.8%, vs 58.9%, p = 0.40), higher rate of return to intended oncologic treatment (56.9% vs 40.2%, p = 0.001), similar 30-day morbidity/mortality. Prognostic factors for survival were ASA Score ≥ 3, age-adjusted Charlson Comorbidity Index ≥ 5, lymph node ratio ≥ 0.15, p/ypTNM Stage III and return to intended oncologic treatment. Conclusions: Laparoscopic gastrectomy for advanced gastric cancer offers similar rates of survival when compared to open gastrectomy, with higher rates of return to intended oncologic treatment. ASA score, age-adjusted Charlson Comorbidity Index, lymph node ratio, return to intended oncologic treatment and p/ypTNM Stage, but not surgical approach, are prognostic factors for survival.

Evidence against the use of prophylactic drain after gastrectomy are increasing and ERAS guidelines suggest the benefit of drain avoidance. Nevertheless, it is unclear whether this practice is still widespread. We conducted a survey among Italian surgeons through the Italian Gastric Cancer Research Group and the Polispecialistic Society of Young Surgeons, aiming to understand the current use of prophylactic drain. A 28-item questionnaire-based survey was developed to analyze the current practice and the individual opinion about the use of prophylactic drain after gastrectomy. Groups based on age, experience and unit volume were separately analyzed. Response of 104 surgeons from 73 surgical units were collected. A standardized ERAS protocol for gastrectomy was applied by 42% of the respondents. Most of the surgeons, regardless of age, experience, or unit volume, declared to routinely place one or more drain after gastrectomy. Only 2 (1.9%) and 7 surgeons (6.7%) belonging to high volume units, do not routinely place drains after total and subtotal gastrectomy, respectively. More than 60% of the participants remove the drain on postoperative day 4–6 after performing an assessment of the anastomosis integrity. Interestingly, less than half of the surgeons believe that drain is the main tool for leak management, and this percentage further drops among younger surgeons. On the other hand, drain’s role seems to be more defined for duodenal stump leak treatment, with almost 50% of the surgeons recognizing its importance. Routine use of prophylactic drain after gastrectomy is still a widespread practice even if younger surgeons are more persuaded that it could not be advantageous.

Background Oncologic outcomes after laparoscopic gastrectomy for advanced gastric cancer in the West have been poorly investigated. The aim of the present study was to compare survival outcomes in patients undergoing curative-intent laparoscopic and open gastrectomy for advanced gastric cancer in several centres belonging to the Italian Research Group for Gastric Cancer. Methods Data of patients operated between 2015 and 2018 were retrospectively analysed. Propensity Score Matching was performed to balance baseline characteristics of patients undergoing laparoscopic and open gastrectomy. The primary endpoint was 3-year overall survival. Secondary endpoints were 3-year disease-free survival and short-term outcomes. Multivariable regression analyses for survival were conducted. Results Data were retrieved from 20 centres. Of the 717 patients included, 438 patients were correctly matched, 219 per group. The 3-year overall survival was 73.6% and 68.7% in the laparoscopic and open group, respectively (p = 0.40). When compared with open gastrectomy, laparoscopic gastrectomy showed comparable 3-year disease-free survival (62.8%, vs 58.9%, p = 0.40), higher rate of return to intended oncologic treatment (56.9% vs 40.2%, p = 0.001), similar 30-day morbidity/mortality. Prognostic factors for survival were ASA Score >= 3, age-adjusted Charlson Comorbidity Index >= 5, lymph node ratio >= 0.15, p/ypTNM Stage III and return to intended oncologic treatment. Conclusions Laparoscopic gastrectomy for advanced gastric cancer offers similar rates of survival when compared to open gastrectomy, with higher rates of return to intended oncologic treatment. ASA score, age-adjusted Charlson Comorbidity Index, lymph node ratio, return to intended oncologic treatment and p/ypTNM Stage, but not surgical approach, are prognostic factors for survival.

Background: The coronavirus pandemic had a major impact in Italy. The Italian health system’s re-organization to face the emergency may have led to significant consequences especially in the diagnosis and treatment of malignancies. This study aimed to assess the impact of the pandemic in the diagnosis and treatment of gastric cancer in nine Gruppo Italiano RIcerca Cancro Gastrico (GIRCG) centers. Methods: All patients assessed for gastric adenocarcinoma at nine GIRCG centers between January 2019 and November 2020 were included. Patients were grouped according to the date of “patient 1’s” diagnosis in Italy: preCOVID versus COVID. Clinico-pathological and outcome differences between the two groups were analyzed. Results: A total of 632 patients were included in the analysis (205 in the COVID group). The cT4 weighted ratios were higher in 2020 from April to September, with the greatest differences in May, August and September. The cM+ weighted ratio was significantly higher in July 2020. The mean number of gastrectomies had the greatest reduction in March and May 2020 compared with 2019. The median times from diagnosis to chemotherapy, to complete diagnostic work-up or to operation were longer in 2019. The median time from the end of chemotherapy to surgery was 17 days longer in the preCOVID group. Conclusions: A greater number of advanced or metastatic cases were diagnosed after the spread of SARS-CoV-2 infection, especially after the “full lockdown” periods. During the pandemic, once gastric cancer patients were referred to one of the centers, a shorter time to complete the diagnostic work-up or to address them to the best treatment option was required.

Background: Duodenal stump fistula (DSF) is a severe complication of gastrectomy. Although nonsurgical therapy is preferred, surgery is still mandatory in one third of DSF patients. The aim of this article is to analyze the surgical management of DSF and factors related to its outcome. Methods: We performed a retrospective multicenter study using data from January 1990 to November 2011 in 16 Italian surgery centers. We collected 8,268 elective gastrectomies for malignancies, 7,987 by the laparotomic and 281 by the laparoscopic approach. Two hundred five patients developed a DSF, 75 of whom underwent surgery for DSF. We analyzed mortality and DSF healing time as well as the impact of clinical, oncological, and surgical characteristics. Results: The laparoscopic approach increased the risk of DSF development (odds ratio 5.6, 95 % confidence interval 2.7–10.6, P < 0.001). The indication for first DSF surgery was intra-abdominal sepsis; the failure rate was over 30 %, associated with the appearance of fistulas of neighboring organs, bleeding, and the need for reoperations. The mortality rate was 28 % and was related to the presence of vascular disease (P = 0.04), more than one reoperation (P = 0.05), sepsis (P < 0.001), and renal failure (P < 0.001). Fifty-four patients recovered after a median of 39 days (interquartile range 22–68 days); the need to perform more reoperations (P < 0.01) and the presence of an abdominal abscess (P < 0.01) led to an increase in healing time. Conclusions: Surgery for DSF has a poor prognosis. Our data will help to identify patients at risk of death, but unfortunately could not establish the best surgical procedure applicable to all cases of DSF.

Background: Duodenal stump fistula (DSF) is a severe complication of gastrectomy. Although nonsurgical therapy is preferred, surgery is still mandatory in one third of DSF patients. The aim of this article is to analyze the surgical management of DSF and factors related to its outcome. Methods: We performed a retrospective multicenter study using data from January 1990 to November 2011 in 16 Italian surgery centers. We collected 8,268 elective gastrectomies for malignancies, 7,987 by the laparotomic and 281 by the laparoscopic approach. Two hundred five patients developed a DSF, 75 of whom underwent surgery for DSF. We analyzed mortality and DSF healing time as well as the impact of clinical, oncological, and surgical characteristics. Results: The laparoscopic approach increased the risk of DSF development (odds ratio 5.6, 95 % confidence interval 2.7–10.6, P < 0.001). The indication for first DSF surgery was intra-abdominal sepsis; the failure rate was over 30 %, associated with the appearance of fistulas of neighboring organs, bleeding, and the need for reoperations. The mortality rate was 28 % and was related to the presence of vascular disease (P = 0.04), more than one reoperation (P = 0.05), sepsis (P < 0.001), and renal failure (P < 0.001). Fifty-four patients recovered after a median of 39 days (interquartile range 22–68 days); the need to perform more reoperations (P < 0.01) and the presence of an abdominal abscess (P < 0.01) led to an increase in healing time. Conclusions: Surgery for DSF has a poor prognosis. Our data will help to identify patients at risk of death, but unfortunately could not establish the best surgical procedure applicable to all cases of DSF.

In case of Krukenberg tumor (KT) of gastric origin it is controversial and debated whether radical surgery in case of synchronous KT or metastasectomy in case of metachronous ones is associated with additional benefits. Role of perioperative treatments is unclear.

Background Gastrectomy with extended lymphadenectomy is considered the gold standard treatment for advanced gastric cancer, with no age- or comorbidity-related limitations. We evaluated the safety and efficacy of curative gastrectomy with extended nodal dissection, verifying survival in elderly and highly co-morbid patients. Methods In a retrospective multicenter study, we examined 1322 non-metastatic gastric-cancer patients that underwent curative gastrectomy with D2 versus D1 lymphadenectomy from January 2000 to December 2009. Postoperative complications, overall survival (OS), and disease-specific survival (DSS) according to age and the Charlson Comorbidity Score were analyzed in relation to the extent of lymphadenectomy. Results Postoperative morbidity was 30.4%. Complications were more frequent in highly co-morbid elderly patients, and, although general morbidity rates after D2 and D1 lymphadenectomy were similar (29.9% and 33.2%, respectively), they increased following D2 in highly co-morbid elderly patients (39.6%). D2-lymphadenectomy significantly improved 5-year OS and DSS (48.0% vs. 37.6% in D1, p < 0.001 and 72.6% vs. 58.1% in D1, p < 0.001, respectively) in all patients. In elderly patients, this benefit was present only in 5-year DSS. D2 nodal dissection induced better 5-year OS and DSS rates in elderly patients with positive nodes (29.7% vs. 21.2% in D1, p = 0.008 and 47.5% vs. 30.6% in D1, p = 0.001, respectively), although it was present only in DSS when highly co-morbid elderly patients were considered. Conclusion Extended lymphadenectomy confirmed better survival rates in gastric cancer patients. Due to high postoperative complication rate and no significant improvement of the OS, D1 lymphadenectomy should be considered in elderly and/or highly co-morbid gastric cancer patients.

Background Gastric gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) represent a subgroup of GISTs with a better prognosis than those located in other areas. In this retrospective study we performed a molecular characterization of a large series of patients with gastric GISTs in relation to clinical–pathological characteristics and prognosis. Methods DNA was extracted from paraffin-embedded sections from 221 gastric GIST patients submitted to surgery. Exons 9, 11, 13 and 17 of KIT, exons 12 and 18 of PDGFRA and exons 11 and 15 of BRAF were analyzed by direct sequencing. Cox regression analysis adjusted for clinical–pathological factors was performed to evaluate KIT and PDGFRA mutations in relation to the composite endpoint of relapse or death. Results KIT and PDGFRA mutations were observed in 119 (53.8%) and 56 (25.3%) patients, respectively, whereas 46 (20.8%) patients had wild type (wt) disease. Univariable analyses showed that a high Miettinen risk category and the presence of ulceration and KIT deletions were associated with increased risk of relapse or death (p < 0.001; p = 0.0389 and p = 0.002, respectively). After adjusting for Miettinen risk score, KIT deletions remained an independent prognostic factor (HRadj = 2.65, 95% CI [1.15–6.13], p = 0.023). Moreover, KIT deletions in exon 11 codons 557, 558 or 559 were associated with a higher risk of relapse or death than wt tumors (HRadj = 3.29 95% CI [1.64–6.64], p = 0.001). Conclusions KIT deletions in exon 11, especially those involving codons 557, 558 or 559, were correlated with a more aggressive gastric GIST phenotype and increased risk of relapse or death.

Presently, there is no scientific evidence supporting a definite role for follow-up after gastrectomy for cancer, and clinical practices are quite different around the globe. The aim of this consensus conference was to present an ideal prototype of follow-up after gastrectomy for cancer, based on shared experiences and taking into account the need to rationalize the diagnostic course without losing the possibility of detecting local recurrence at a potentially curable stage.

The topic chosen by the Board of the Italian Society of Surgery for the 2013 annual Consensus Conference was gastric cancer. With this purpose, under the direction of 2 chairmen, 36 experts nominated by the Regional Societies of Surgery and by the Italian Research Group for Gastric Cancer (GIRCG) participated in an experts consensus exercise, preceded by a questionnaire and mainly held by telematic vote, in accordance with the rules of the Delphi method. The results of this Consensus Conference, presented to the 115th National Congress of the Italian Society of Surgery, and approved in plenary session, are reported in the present paper.

The Italian Research Group for Gastric Cancer supports the practice of follow-up after radical surgery for gastric cancer.

Duodenal stump fistula (DSF) is a severe complication of gastrectomy. Although nonsurgical therapy is preferred, surgery is still mandatory in one third of DSF patients. The aim of this article is to analyze the surgical management of DSF and factors related to its outcome.

Only a few, small, monocentric randomized controlled trials (RCTs) have compared routine vs. no placement of a nasogastric or nasojejunal tube decompression (NG/NJT) in patients undergoing partial distal gastrectomy (PDG) for gastric cancer. However, to our knowledge, no multicenter prospective RCT has analyzed the role of decompression after both the Billroth II (BII) procedure and Roux-en-Y (RY) gastrojejunostomy. The aim of this study was to determine whether NG/NJT prevents the consequences of postoperative ileus after PDG for gastric cancer after both BII reconstruction and RY.

Background: The Italian Research Group for Gastric Cancer supports the practice of follow-up after radical surgery for gastric cancer. Methods: This multicenter, retrospective study (1998-2009) included patients with T1-4N0-3M0 gastric cancer who had undergone D2 gastrectomy and lymphadenectomy, with at least 15 lymph nodes examined, and who had developed recurrent disease. Timing and site of recurrence were correlated to the actual scheduled follow-up timing and modalities. Results: From eight centers, 814 patients with recurrent cancer and over 1,754 (46.4 %) patients undergoing gastrectomy were investigated (median follow-up 31 months). The most frequent sites of recurrence were local/regional lymph nodes (35.4 %), liver (24.3 %), peritoneum (30.3 %), lung (10.4 %) and intraluminal (7.5 %). Ninety-four percent of the recurrences were diagnosed within 2 years and 98 % within 3 years. Thoracoabdominal computed tomography (CT) scan and (18)F-fluoro-2-deoxy-d-glucose positron emission tomography (18-FDG-PET) detected more than 90 % of recurrences, abdominal ultrasound detected 70 % and tumor markers detected 40 %, while <10 % were identified by physical examination, chest X-ray, and upper gastrointestinal endoscopy. Twenty-six percent of patients with recurrence were treated, but only 3.2 % were treated with potentially radical intent. Conclusion: Oncological follow-up after radical surgery for gastric cancer should be focused in the first 3 years, and based mainly on thoracoabdominal CT scan and 18-FDG-PET. © 2014 Society of Surgical Oncology.

Between the Ninth International Gastric Cancer Congress (IGCC) in South-Korea (Seoul, 2011) and the Tenth IGCC in Italy (Verona, 2013), the Insubria University organized the First International Course on Upper Gastrointestinal Surgery (Varese, December 2, 2011), with the patronage of Italian Research Group for Gastric Cancer (IRGGC) and the International Gastric Cancer Association (IGCA). The Course was intended to be a comprehensive update and review on advanced gastric cancer (GC) staging and treatment from well-known international experts. Clinical, research, and educational aspects of the surgeon's role in the era of stage-adapted therapy were discussed. As highlighted in the meeting, in this final document we summarize and thoroughly analyze (with references only for well-acquired randomized control trials) the new and old open problems in surgical management of advanced GC. Between the Ninth (Seoul, 2011) and the Tenth (Verona,2013) International Gastric Cancer Congress, the First International Course on Upper Gastrointestinal Surgery (Varese, December 2, 2011) was organized by the University of Insubria. This congress received the patronage of the International Gastric Cancer Association and the Italian Research Group for Gastric Cancer. The aim was to discuss open issues in surgical management of advanced gastric malignancies. We considered the opinions of several recognized experts in the field from both the Eastern and Western world, focused on definition problems and oncological and technical issues to define the current principles of advanced gastric cancer (GC) surgery.

BACKGROUND: Only a few, small, monocentric randomized controlled trials (RCTs) have compared routine vs. no placement of a nasogastric or nasojejunal tube decompression (NG/NJT) in patients undergoing partial distal gastrectomy (PDG) for gastric cancer. However, to our knowledge, no multicenter prospective RCT has analyzed the role of decompression after both the Billroth II (BII) procedure and Roux-en-Y (RY) gastrojejunostomy. The aim of this study was to determine whether NG/NJT prevents the consequences of postoperative ileus after PDG for gastric cancer after both BII reconstruction and RY. METHODS: Two hundred seventy patients undergoing PDG for gastric cancer were randomly assigned NG/NJT placement (NG/NJT group) or not (no-NG/NJT group) with either Billroth II gastrojejunostomy or Roux-en-Y gastrojejunostomy. The patients were monitored for postoperative complications, mortality, and postoperative course. RESULTS: By January 2010 to June 2012, among 270 patients undergoing PDG for gastric cancer, 134 were randomly assigned to NG/NJT placement (NG/NJT group) and 136 to no decompression (no-NG/NJT group). Time to passage of flatus was significantly shorter in the NG/NJT group than in the no-NG/NJT group, but only after RY reconstruction (3.3 ± 1.5 vs. 4.3 ± 1.6 days, P < 0.001, respectively). Postoperative abdominal distention was significantly lower in the NG/NJT group than in the no-NG/NJT group after both BII and the RY procedure (P < 0.001). No significant differences in postoperative mortality or morbidity, especially anastomotic leakage or intra-abdominal sepsis, were observed between the groups. CONCLUSION: Routine placement of an NG/NJT after BII and RY PDG is not necessary in elective surgery for gastric cancer.

Background: The prognostic value of T subclassification in patients with gastric carcinoma has been just implemented in the new AJCC TNM staging system, which has reclassified T2a and T2b into T2 and T3 tumors, respectively. The aim of the present study was to validate the prognostic significance of the new T categorization within the frame of the latest TNM staging system. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the records of 686 T2/T3 patients among 2155 subjects who underwent radical resection for gastric carcinoma at six Italian centers from 1988 through 2006. Results: Upon multivariate analysis, the new T categories, extent of lymph node dissection (D) and patient's age were retained by the survival model as independent prognostic factors. In particular, the death risk for patients with T3 tumors was higher than that of patients with T2 tumors (HR: 1.42, P = 0.005). Among the 686 patients previously classified as having T2 tumors, patients with T2 and T3 disease were 270 (39.4%) and 416 (60.6%), respectively. After a median follow-up of 55 months, the 5-year overall survival rates were 67.3% and 52.3% for patients with T2 and T3 tumors, respectively (P < 0.001). The survival advantage for the T2 as compared to T3 category was maintained even when N0 and N+ patients were separately considered (P = 0.0154 and P < 0.001, respectively). Conclusions: Our data confirm the prognostic difference between the newly proposed T2 and T3 categories, which should be implemented in the routine clinical practice to improve risk stratification of patients with gastric cancer. © 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

The aim of the present multicentre observational study was to evaluate potential changes in clinical and pathological features of patients with gastric cancer (GC) treated in a 15-year interval.

Duodenal fistula (DF) after gastrectomy continues to be a life-threatening problem. We performed a retrospective multicenter study analyzing the characteristics of DF after elective gastrectomy for malignant disease.Three thousand seven hundred eighty-five patients who had undergone gastrectomy with duodenal stump in 11 Italian surgical units were analyzed.Sixty-eight DFs occurred, with a median frequency of 1.6% and a mortality rate of 16%. Complications were mainly septic but fistulas or bleeding of surrounding organs accounted for about 30%. Reoperation was performed in 40% of patients. We observed a correlation between mortality and age (hazard ratio 1.09; 95% CI 1.00-1.20) and serum albumin (hazard ratio 0.90; 95% CI 0.83-0.99). The appearance of further complications was associated with reoperation (P < 0.001) and death (P = 0.054), while the preservation of oral feeding was related to DF healing (P < 0.001).This paper represents the largest series ever published on DF and shows that its features have changed in the last 20 years. DF alone no longer leads to death and some complications observed in the past have disappeared, while new ones are emerging. Nowadays, medical therapy is preferred and surgery is indicated only in cases of abdominal sepsis or bleeding.

The presence of lymph node metastasis is one of the most important prognostic factors in patients with gastric carcinoma. Node-negative patients have a better outcome, nevertheless a subgroup of them experience disease recurrence.

Duodenal fistula (DF) after gastrectomy continues to be a life-threatening problem. We performed a retrospective multicenter study analyzing the characteristics of DF after elective gastrectomy for malignant disease.

The presence of lymph node metastasis is one of the most important prognostic factors in patients with gastric carcinoma. Node-negative patients have a better outcome, nevertheless a subgroup of them experience disease recurrence.