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Two European phase III trials comparing D1 and D2 demonstrated that D2 did not improve the overall survival and was associated with a high mortality related to splenectomy. However, a long-term follow-up study showed that the gastric cancer-related death rate was significantly higher in D1 than D2. Based on these findings, the standard surgery in Europe became D2 without pancreatico-splenectomy to prevent mortality. In contrast, the JCOG9501 phase III comparing D2 and D2 plus para-aortic nodal dissection did not showed a survival efficacy of extended lymphadenectomy, but the mortality rate was quite low in both surgeries. Subsequently, the JCOG0110 phase III study comparing D2 and spleen-preserving D2 for upper gastric cancer not invading the greater curvature clearly showed the non-inferiority of spleen preservation. Thus, spleen-preserving D2 was made the standard surgery for these tumors in Japan. However, splenectomy is often selected for complete dissection of the splenic-hilar nodes, a frequent metastatic site for upper gastric tumors invading the greater curvature. Recently, an approach involving splenic hilar nodal dissection without splenectomy has been developed., (Copyright © 2021. Published by Elsevier Ltd.)

Background: Whether splenectomy for splenic hilar lymph node (No. 10) dissection in type 4 gastric cancer involving the greater curvature is necessary is not established. Patients with type 4 gastric cancer often experience peritoneal relapse, despite curative surgery, and total gastrectomy with splenectomy is frequently associated with infectious complications., Method: Patients with cT2-T4 gastric cancer in the upper or middle third of the stomach, or both, involving the greater curvature who underwent R0 total gastrectomy with splenectomy between 2006 and 2016 were selected. Clinicopathological findings, postoperative complications, the incidence of lymph node metastasis, and the therapeutic value index of each station were compared between type 4 and non-type 4 gastric cancer., Results: We enrolled 50 patients with type 4 and 60 with non-type 4. The former had a significantly higher proportion of the undifferentiated type and larger and deeper tumors. The overall incidence of Grade III or higher complications was 20.9%. The incidence of No. 10 metastasis was 26.0% in type 4 and 31.7% in non-type 4. Although the therapeutic value index of the No. 10 was 13.7 in type 4 and 15.0 in non-type 4, the index of type 4 ranked just below several peri-gastric stations and seventh, while that in non-type 4 ranked second., Conclusion: Splenectomy for No. 10 dissection may be oncologically valid for type 4 gastric cancer involving the greater curvature. A safer procedure for No. 10 dissection should be established.

Background: Splenectomy for dissecting splenic hilar lymph nodes (#10) should be avoided for most gastric cancer, considering the high morbidity and lack of any survival benefit, but it is often selected for scirrhous gastric cancer because this type frequently invades the whole stomach and lymph nodes. Splenectomy is necessary for dissecting #10; however, the survival benefit of dissecting #10 is unclear., Methods: Patients who had scirrhous gastric cancer and underwent D2 total gastrectomy with splenectomy at National Cancer Center Hospital, Japan, between 2000 and 2011 were retrospectively analyzed. The therapeutic value index was calculated by multiplying the metastatic rate of each nodal station and the 5-year survival of patients who had metastasis to each node., Results: In total, 137 patients were eligible for the present study. The most frequent metastatic node was #3(58%), followed by #4d(46%), #1(35%), #4sb(23%), #6(22%), #7(21%), #4sa(18%), #10(15%), #2(14%), #11p(14%), #11d(13%), #9(13%), and #8a(11%). These lymph nodes had a metastatic rate of more than 10%. The node station with the highest index was #3(18.9), followed by #4d(14.1), #1(10.8), #4sa(6.11), #4sb(6.06), #10(5.09), #7(4.39), #11d(4.36), #11p(4.06), #2(2.93), #8a(2.18), and #9(1.45). The index of #10 exceeded that of #2, #7, #8a, and #9, which are the key nodes dissected in D2., Conclusion: The metastatic rate of the splenic hilar lymph nodes was relatively high, and the therapeutic index was the sixth highest among the 15 regional lymph nodes included in D2 dissection. Splenectomy for dissecting splenic hilar lymph nodes would be justified for scirrhous gastric cancer.

Background: Despite advances in the treatment of patients with gastric cancer, the debate over the optimal extent of lymphadenectomy continues., Method: A review of the classification, rationale for, and boundaries of lymphadenectomy is presented. A review of the available literature comparing D1 versus D2 versus D3 lymphadenectomy was performed and included randomized controlled trials, and prospective and retrospective comparative and non-comparative studies., Results: Earlier studies demonstrated increased morbidity with D2 compared with D1 lymphadenectomy, with no significant survival benefit. More recent studies have demonstrated survival benefit of a pancreas and spleen-sparing D2 lymphadenectomy in patients with advanced, node-positive tumors. Para-aortic/D3 dissections contribute to increased morbidity, with no survival benefit., Conclusions: In patients with resectable gastric adenocarcinoma, a D2 lymph node dissection preserving the pancreas and spleen should be considered standard for optimal staging and treatment, provided it is performed by surgeons with sufficient expertise. Extended lymph node dissections beyond D2 should not be routinely performed as it has been shown to have increased morbidity, with no improvement in outcomes. While systemic chemotherapy should be considered standard in patients undergoing D2 lymphadenectomy, the role of adjuvant radiation continues to evolve.

Background: The Japan Clinical Oncology Group phase 3 study confirmed the survival non-inferiority of spleen-preserving surgery against splenectomy for advanced proximal gastric cancer not invading the greater curvature. However, the efficacy of #10 lymph node (LN) dissection for tumors that involve the greater curvature remains unclear., Methods: Data from patients who underwent D2-total gastrectomy with splenectomy between January 2000 and December 2012 were retrospectively reviewed. The study included 593 patients. The patients were split into two groups, with 212 patients in the tumor invasion of the greater curvature (Gre) group and 381 patients in the non-Gre group. Survival curves and the state of LN metastasis and the index of estimated benefit from LN dissection of each station were evaluated., Results: The incidence of #10 LN metastasis was 8.1% (48/593): 15.1% in the Gre group and 4.2% in the non-Gre group. The 5-year overall survival rates for the patients with and without #10 metastasis were respectively 46.9 and 50.2% (P = 0.829) in the Gre group and 49.6 and 62.3% (P = 0.074) in the non-Gre group. The indices for #10 LN dissection were 7.1 in the Gre group and 2.3 in the non-Gre group. In the Gre group, the node station with the highest index was #3, followed by #4d, #1, #4sb, #4sa, #7, #2, #10 (index > 7)., Conclusion: The splenic hilar nodes should be prioritized as a component of D2 lymphadenectomy for advanced gastric cancer invading the greater curvature based on its high metastatic rate and index.

Background: Significance of splenic hilar node dissection with splenectomy is now denied for advanced gastric cancer of upper one-third of the stomach without invasion to the greater curvature by the Japan Clinical Oncology Group 0110, a pivotal randomized study from Japan. However, a question remains for tumors which involve the greater curvature, as this study excluded such tumors., Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 421 consecutive patients with gastric cancer who underwent curative total gastrectomy with splenectomy from 1992 to 2009. The survival curves, state of lymph node (LN) metastasis, and index of the estimated benefit from LN dissection of each station were evaluated according to the tumor location., Results: The incidence of No. 10 metastasis was 9.3 % (39/421), with 15.9 % in patients with tumors involving the greater curvature (Gre group, n = 132) and 6.2 % in those without (non-Gre group, n = 289) (P = 0.032). The 5-year overall survival (OS) of patients with and without No. 10 metastasis was 35.4 and 43.1 % (P = 0.135) in the Gre group and 32.8 and 66.5 % (P = 0.0006) in the non-Gre group, respectively. The index of No. 10 LN dissection was 5.6 and 2.0 in the Gre and non-Gre groups, respectively. In the Gre group, the index was relatively higher in patients aged < 65 years, within pT3, and with Borrmann type 4 tumors., Conclusions: Splenectomy may have a survival benefit when a tumor shows involvement with the greater curvature, especially in relatively young patients and those without serosal exposure.

Objective: The influence of surgical approaches on patients with gastric cancer with portal hypertension is unknown. The aim of the study was to investigate the outcomes in such patients who had undergone curative surgery for gastric cancer., Patients and Methods: The clinical data of 60 patients with portal hypertension undergoing curative surgery for gastric cancer or simultaneous surgery for portal hypertension were retrospectively analyzed., Results: Radical gastrectomy alone had no tremendous impact on postoperative liver function, but simultaneous surgery for portal hypertension affected patients' liver function dramatically (P<0.001). For those who underwent surgery for portal hypertension simultaneously, the incidence of complications on patients with Child's B was much higher than that of patients with Child's A (P<0.001). However, the incidence of complications did not differ between Child's A and Child's B patients who underwent radical gastrectomy alone. In addition, patients undergoing simultaneous surgery for portal hypertension displayed more severe complications than did those who underwent radical gastrectomy alone (P<0.001). Age, tumor stage, and simultaneous surgery for portal hypertension were the independent risk factors for the deterioration of liver function (P<0.05), and the survival time of patients undergoing simultaneous surgery for portal hypertension was significantly shorter than that of patients undergoing radical gastrectomy alone (P<0.05)., Conclusion: Individualized selection of surgical approaches for the treatment of gastric cancer with portal hypertension should be decided by preoperative liver function. Simultaneous management of portal hypertension was not advocated.

Background: The addition of splenectomy to a D2 gastrectomy in patients with gastric adenocarcinoma (GA) has remained controversial. This study aimed to assess the impact of splenectomy on the overall survival of patients undergoing total gastrectomy for GA., Methods: This was a retrospective review of 463 GA patients (excluding positive resection margins and pathologic spleen invasion) undergoing curative total gastrectomy with (TS) and without splenectomy (T) between 1994 and 2008. Clinicopathologic factors affecting the prognosis of these patients were collected prospectively and analyzed., Results: Two hundred and ninety one patients had T and 172 patients underwent TS. Patient clinicopathological characteristics were comparable between the 2 groups except for tumor size. There were no significant differences in postoperative morbidity and mortality between T and TS groups. Patients in the T group had similar 3- and 5-year survival rates compared with those in the TS groups (p = 0.181). The addition of splenectomy to a total gastrectomy did not impact on the overall survival rates in patients with GA in terms of depth of tumor invasion and nodal metastasis., Conclusions: The addition of splenectomy is not associated with survival advantage in GA patients undergoing total gastrectomy., (Copyright © 2014 Surgical Associates Ltd. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Unlabelled: Over the last decade, gastric cancer treatment has changed from extensive multiorgan resections towards less invasive approaches with limited resections and a more selective lymphadenectomy. Despite all available trials, the conclusions on the extent of necessary resections still remain debatable. The aim of the study was to assess the short term outcomes (morbidity and mortality) of a total gastrectomy depending on the simultaneous splenectomy status., Material and Methods: We performed a retrospective analysis of the records of all patients treated with a curative intent using a total gastrectomy for gastric cancer between 1997 and 2003. 49 patients fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Patients were divided into two groups: S(+) gastrectomy with splenectomy group (29 patients) and S(-) total gastrectomy with spleen preservation (20 patients)., Results: Survival analysis at one year showed that there was no difference in survival between the two groups (p=0.84). There were six recurrences, one in the group S(+) and five in group S(-) (p>0.05). Dissemination was observed in three patients in group S(-) (p>0.05). Other complications including infectious complications, exenteration, subileus, cardiovascular insufficiency, multiorgan failure were more frequent in the S(+) group (31% v 15%) although the difference was not significant (p=0.17)., Conclusions: Splenectomy during gastrectomy for cancer has no statistically significant impact on short-term morbidity and mortality. Even though it does not show benefit in terms of 5-year overall survival rates it might be performed when needed in more advanced cases in properly selected patients (e.g. upper gastric T3/4 gastric cancer).

Background: The overall prognosis and survival of patients with advanced gastric cancer are generally poor. Extended lymphadenectomy is recommended for patients with advanced gastric cancer; however, splenectomy and distal pancreatectomy performed with an extended lymph node dissection may be associated with increased morbidity and mortality., Method: Electronic literature searches were conducted using Medline, Embase, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials from 1 January 1998 to 31 December 2009. Studies on gastric carcinoma investigating extended lymphadenectomy with splenectomy and/or pancreaticosplenectomy that reported data on surgical outcomes or survival were selected., Results: Forty studies were included in this review. Decreased complication rates were demonstrated with spleen preservation in two prospective studies and three retrospective studies, and with pancreas preservation in five retrospective studies. No randomized controlled trial showed survival benefit or detriment for preservation of spleen or pancreas in extended lymphadenectomy. Improved survival was demonstrated with spleen preservation in two prospective and eight retrospective studies, and with pancreas preservation in one prospective and four retrospective studies., Conclusions: Preservation of the spleen and pancreas during extended lymphadenectomy for gastric cancer decreases complications with no clear evidence of improvement or detriment to overall survival.

Background: Effectiveness of splenectomy for advanced gastric cancers occupying the upper and/or the middle third of the stomach is still in debate. The aim of the present study is to elucidate the impact of splenectomy on patient survival by investigating the pathological characteristics and prognostic significance of splenic hilar lymph node metastasis., Methods: Clinicopathologic and prognostic data of 265 patients with gastric cancer in the upper and/or the middle third of the stomach who underwent the operation of en bloc resection of primary cancer and D2/D3 lymphadenectomy combined with splenectomy were retrospectively reviewed., Results: Multivariate analysis revealed pT category, pN category, and distant lymph node metastasis independently correlated with the presence of splenic hilar lymph node metastasis. Prognoses of patients with positive splenic hilar lymph nodes were significantly poorer than that of patients with negative splenic hilar lymph nodes for the entire study population and for those who underwent R0 resection, but not for those who underwent R1-2 resection. There was no significant difference in survival between patients who underwent R0 resection with positive splenic hilar lymph nodes and those who underwent R1-2 resection. Splenic hilar lymph node metastasis was one of independent indicators predicting worse prognosis and the presence of distant metastasis after surgery. Subset analysis according to the TNM stage revealed there were significant differences in survival between patients with and without splenic hilar lymph node metastasis., Conclusions: Splenic hilar lymph node metastasis should be considered as one of incurable factors. Consequently, the efficiency of splenectomy aiming at prolonging survival for patients with high risk of splenic hilar lymph nodes metastasis should be questioned, although resection of invasive organs form gastric cancers has been recommended if R0 surgery could be achieved., (Copyright © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.)

Background/aims: Splenectomy is the most common combined organ resection in the surgical management for gastric cardia cancer. The role of combined splenectomy is still controversial., Methodology: From January 1998 to December 2006, a total of 174 patients received radical total gastrectomy for advanced adenocarcinoma of cardia. Patients with previous gastric surgery or tumor invasion of pancreas or spleen were excluded. Among them, 115 patients were enrolled in this study. Patients were divided into group 1 (splenectomy, n=47) and group 2 (spleen preservation, n=68). Their clinicopathological characteristics were compared., Results: Multivariate analysis showed that only tumor size and lymphovascular invasion were two independent indicators of survival. The surgically-related morbidity and mortality rates were similar between the two groups. Among the 3 patients with splenic hilar lymph nodes metastasis, all of them had large tumor size (=4cm), advanced stage (stage III and IV) and tumor center located at the posterior wall of stomach. The 5-year overall survival for advanced cancer was similar (57.1% vs. 60.2%, p=0.681)., Conclusions: Splenectomy does not improve overall survival in the management of advanced gastric cardia cancer. Splenectomy has limited clinical benefits except for large advanced tumors located at the posterior wall of stomach.

Background: The present study estimated survival benefits from lymph node dissection at the splenic hilus in advanced proximal gastric cancer patients who underwent total gastrectomy with simultaneous splenectomy, and then determined patient subgroups that received relatively high survival benefits from splenectomy., Methods: A total of 280 patients with advanced proximal gastric cancer who underwent curative total gastrectomy with simultaneous splenectomy were retrospectively analyzed. Patients with primary tumors directly invading the spleen or pancreas and those with gross metastases to the para-aortic nodes, as determined by intraoperative diagnosis, were excluded from analyses. The index of estimated benefit from lymph node dissection at the splenic hilus by splenectomy was calculated for each clinicopathological factor by multiplying the incidence of splenic hilar metastasis by the 5-year survival rate of patients with metastasis to that nodal station., Results: Thirty patients (10.7%) showed lymph node metastasis at the splenic hilus, and the 5-year survival rate of these patients was 51.3% (overall index 5.49). The index was relatively high in patient subgroups with tumors localized on the greater curvature (19.4) and Borrmann type 4 cancers (12.9), while relatively low in subgroups with encircling tumors (1.62) and tumors invading adjacent organs other than the spleen and pancreas (0)., Conclusion: Patients with tumors localized on the greater curvature and Borrmann type 4 cancers might obtain relatively high survival benefits from lymph node dissection at the splenic hilus by splenectomy.

Background: The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of D2 lymphadenectomy with spleen preservation on surgical outcomes in locally advanced proximal gastric cancer., Methods: Between January 2000 and December 2004, a total of 366 patients who underwent curative total gastrectomy were studied retrospectively from a prospectively designed database., Results: The spleen-preservation group experienced shorter operation times, a lower incidence of perioperative transfusion, and shorter postoperative hospital stays. Perioperative transfusion and splenectomy were independent risk factors for morbidity. There was no significant difference between the two groups in recurrence or cumulative survival rate when adjusted according to cancer stage. Multivariate analysis showed that tumor size, serosal invasion, and nodal metastasis were independent prognostic factors, while splenectomy was not. The cumulative survival rate in pN0-status patients was significantly higher in the spleen-preservation group, while there was no significant difference in the survival of pN1- or pN2-status patients between the two groups., Conclusions: Splenectomy for lymph node dissection in proximal gastric cancer patients obviously showed poor short-surgical outcomes, but it did not affect long-term outcomes in terms of recurrence and overall survival rate. Therefore, spleen-preserving lymphadenectomy is a feasible method for radical surgery in locally advanced proximal gastric cancer.

Background: Complete surgical (R0) resection remains the only potentially curative intervention for patients with localised gastric cancer. To achieve a curative resection, patients may require complex operations with resection of contiguous organs. The aim of this study was to assess how the extent of surgical resection influenced morbidity, mortality and survival in an aged non-selected population with significant comorbid disease., Patients and Methods: Data were extracted from the Scottish Audit of Gastric and Oesophageal Cancer (SAGOC), a prospective population-based audit of all oesophageal and gastric cancers in Scotland between 1997 and 1999 with a minimum of 1-year follow-up., Results: A total of 646 patients underwent surgical exploration for gastric cancer. A significantly higher incidence of chest infections (18.5 vs 11%, p< 0.05) and anastomotic leaks (14.3 vs 2.2%, p< 0.05) were associated with total gastrectomy (n=168) when compared to distal gastrectomy (n=272) resections. A 9.2% mortality rate and a 60% 1-year survival were associated with gastric resection alone. Removal of the spleen (n=131), pancreas (n=30) or liver resection (n=5) was associated with a significantly higher mortality rates, 18.3, 23.3 and 40%, respectively (p< 0.05), and significantly lower 1-year survival rates, 50.9, 39.1 and 20%, respectively (p< 0.05)., Conclusions: The risk of more extensive resection is not balanced by improved survival in this population based series. Extending gastric resection to involve contiguous organs should be confined to highly selected cases.

There are many factors that are of influence on gastric cancer treatment. The only way to survive is complete locoregional control. More extended dissections should lead to better outcome, but increased morbidity and mortality probably offset its long-term effect in survival in randomised studies. In this article the factors of influence on outcome of gastric cancer treatment such as the extent of lymph node dissection, splenectomy, pancreatectomy, age, volume and additional treatments are discussed. A literature review of these factors in relation to the latest results of the Dutch Gastric Cancer Trials are presented. If morbidity and mortality can be reduced there might be an advantage of extended lymph node dissection. Splenectomy and pancreatectomy should be performed only in case of direct in growth from the tumour into these organs. Centralisation of gastric cancer treatment should be achieved in order to improve results and to facilitate research. By refining selection criteria in the treatment of gastric cancer further improvements are to be expected., (Copyright 2005 Wiley-Liss, Inc)

Background: The appropriate extent of lymph node clearance during gastrectomy for cancer remains controversial., Methods: Medline, Embase, the Cochrane register and other databases were searched for studies reporting node dissection technique, 5 year survival and mortality after gastrectomy. Comparisons with systematic bias in treatment allocation and patients who received perioperative chemotherapy were excluded. Meta-analysis was performed separately for randomized and non-randomized comparisons., Results: Two randomized and two non-randomized comparisons of limited (D1) versus extended (D2) node dissection and 11 reports of one dissection type were analysed. For D2 the randomised trials showed no overall survival benefit (Risk ratio (RR) = 0.95, 95 per cent c.i. 0.83-1.09) and an increased postoperative mortality (RR = 2.23, c.i. 1.45-3.45), apparently related to pancreatico-splenectomy and surgical inexperience. A trend towards survival benefit for D2 was observed for T3+ tumours (RR = 0.68, c.i. 0.42-1.10). Non-randomized comparisons found no survival benefit for D2 (RR = 0.92, c.i. 0.83-1.02), but decreased postoperative mortality (RR = 0.65, c.i. 0.45-0.93). Nine observational studies of D2 reported better results than two studies of D1 surgery, but in very different settings., Conclusions: Evidence for D2 dissection is inconclusive. No overall survival advantage has emerged, but some patients with intermediate stage disease may benefit. Excess operative mortality appears to be associated with pancreatico-splenectomy, low case volume and lack of specialist training.

Background/aims: Indications for splenectomy in patients with proximal and middle gastric cancer remain controversial. We investigated characteristic findings in patients with lymph node metastasis to the splenic hilus and the indication of splenectomy with total gastectomy for T2 and T3 advanced gastric cancer., Methodology: Two hundred and forty-one Japanese patients underwent curative operations for T2 and T3 advanced gastric cancer., Results: The mortality rates were similar, but the morbidity rate for patients who underwent pancreaticosplenectomy was higher than for patients who underwent either total gastrectomy alone or with splenectomy (p<0.007). The rates in cases of lymph node metastasis at the depth of tumor invasion within the subserosa and serosa (T3) were 1.7% and 17.5%, respectively (p<0.003). Lymph node metastasis to the splenic hilus was also evident in patients with T3 or T2 advanced gastric cancer with multiple lymph nodes metastasis (more than 7 nodes). The 10-year survival rates for patients who underwent total gastrectomy alone, with splenectomy, and with pancreaticosplenectomy in T3 advanced gastric cancers were 25%, 42% and 32%, respectively (p=0.184)., Conclusions: Based on these data, the addition of distal pancreaticosplenectomy to total gastrectomy in patients with T2 and T3 advanced gastric cancer increased the risk of complications. Nevertheless, we recommend that total gastrectomy with splenectomy should be done for patients with T3 advanced gastric cancers [and T2 advanced gastric cancer with multiple lymph nodes metastasis (more than 7 nodes)], recognizing the lymph node metastasis to the splenic hilus.

Total gastrectomy with pancreaticosplenectomy for gastric cancer has been proposed for facilitating lymph node dissection or for resection of direct tumor invasion to the pancreas, especially for T4 lesions. Its effectiveness in improving patient survival is still controversial, and higher morbidity and mortality with this procedure have been reported in several series. Such risks to patient survival were not observed in the Japanese series. Based on a prospective gastric cancer database maintained from 1987 to 1999 in our institution, the morbidity and mortality were analyzed in our series of pancreaticosplenectomies. A total of 1,278 patients with gastric cancer received gastrectomy in our surgical unit. Of these, 127 patients underwent curative total gastrectomy with pancreaticosplenectomy in order to facilitate lymph node dissection or removal of direct tumor invasion. Operative time, postoperative hospital stay, postoperative complications, and surgical mortality were analyzed. Compared to another 201 total gastrectomies, longer mean operative time (7.91 +/- 2.16 hours vs. 6.67 +/- 2.01, p <0.001) and postoperative hospital stay (median, 24.5 days vs. 17, p <0.001) for combined organ resection (pancreaticosplenectomy) were shown in this series. The major complication rate, including intraabdominal abscess, anastomotic leak, postoperative bleeding, pancreatitis/fistula, chylous leak, and general complications causing unstable vital signs (26.8% vs. 11.9%, p = 0.001), but not the mortality rate (6.3% vs. 4.8%, p = 0.608), was also shown to be higher in pancreaticosplenectomy patients. The most frequent fatal complication was intraabdominal abscess. However, more than 50% of complications occurred in the first 40 pancreaticosplenectomies (1987-1991); after adequate accumulation of experience, the total complication rate (57.5% vs. 35.6%, p = 0.021), major complication rate (40% vs. 20.7%, p = 0.022), and mortality rate (17.5% vs. 1.1%, p = 0.001) improved significantly in the remaining 87 patients (1991-1999). We therefore conclude that total gastrectomy with pancreaticosplenectomy can be performed by experienced surgeons with acceptable risk of morbidity and mortality.

Background: Classic surgical treatment of upper third gastric carcinoma is based on an extended total gastrectomy, including splenectomy. The purpose of this study was to perform a prospective randomized clinical trial comparing the early and late results of total gastrectomy (TG) versus total gastrectomy plus splenectomy (TGS)., Methods: One hundred eighty-seven patients with gastric carcinoma were included. In all patients a D2 total gastrectomy was performed. During surgery they were randomized to 1 of 2 operative options. They were monitored to their death or to 5 years later if they were alive., Results: Operative mortality was similar after both operations (3% after TG and 4% after TGS). Septic complications after surgery were higher after TGS compared with TG (P <.04). Five-year survival rates were not statistically different between groups or in subset analysis according to stage of disease., Conclusions: On the basis of the results of the present prospective randomized trial, splenectomy is not necessary in early stages of disease. A low operative mortality rate (less than 3%) must be achieved to obtain good long-term results.

Objective: Total gastrectomy for advanced gastric cancer is frequently combined with extended lymphadenectomy. This technique is easier when resection of distal pancreas and/or spleen is performed. We have tried to evaluate whether the resection of both structures and total gastrectomy in patients with advanced gastric cancer actually improve survival rates., Patients: From 1991 to 1999, 140 patients with advanced gastric cancer underwent total gastrectomy at the General Hospital of Albacete: 43 with simple total gastrectomy, 57 with total gastrectomy plus splenectomy and 40 with total gastrectomy plus distal pancreaticosplenectomy. Univariate and multivariate analysis were conducted in order to evaluate different prognostic factors and survival curves among the groups., Results: Survival rates of the three groups were compared for each factor, being only significant variables the degree of tumor infiltration in the gastric wall, the size of the tumor, the staging and the type of lymphatic infiltration. Neither splenectomy nor distal pancreaticosplenectomy improved the survival compared to simple total gastrectomy. Morbimortality rates increased with more aggressive surgical procedures, but differences were not significant., Conclusions: Resection of distal pancreas and/or spleen plus total gastrectomy for advanced gastric cancer is associated to a greater number of isolated lymph nodes, but do not improve the survival of patients.

Controversy still exists on the optimal surgical resection for potentially curable gastric cancer. Much better long-term survival has been reported in retrospective/non-randomized studies with D2 resections that involve a radical extended regional lymphadenectomy than with the standard D1 resections. In this paper we report the long-term survival of patients entered into a randomized study, with follow-up to death or 3 years in 96% of patients and a median follow-up of 6.5 years. In this prospective trial D1 resection (removal of regional perigastric nodes) was compared with D2 resection (extended lymphadenectomy to include level 1 and 2 regional nodes). Central randomization followed a staging laparotomy. Out of 737 patients with histologically proven gastric adenocarcinoma registered, 337 patients were ineligible by staging laparotomy because of advanced disease and 400 were randomized. The 5-year survival rates were 35% for D1 resection and 33% for D2 resection (difference -2%, 95% CI = -12%-8%). There was no difference in the overall 5-year survival between the two arms (HR = 1.10, 95% CI 0.87-1.39, where HR > 1 implies a survival benefit to D1 surgery). Survival based on death from gastric cancer as the event was similar in the D1 and D2 groups (HR = 1.05, 95% CI 0.79-1.39) as was recurrence-free survival (HR = 1.03, 95% CI 0.82-1.29). In a multivariate analysis, clinical stages II and III, old age, male sex and removal of spleen and pancreas were independently associated with poor survival. These findings indicate that the classical Japanese D2 resection offers no survival advantage over D1 surgery. However, the possibility that D2 resection without pancreatico-splenectomy may be better than standard D1 resection cannot be dismissed by the results of this trial.

Objective: To evaluate the effect of extensive lymphadenectomy on survival in patients with gastric cancer., Design: Retrospective analysis, Setting: University Hospital, Norway., Subjects: 183 patients with stomach cancer resected for cure during the time period 1980-90., Interventions: 78 patients had an R1- and 105 patients and R2 resection. 124 patients were treated by total gastrectomy, 5 by proximal--and 54 by distal resection., Main Outcome Measures: Morbidity, mortality and long term survival., Results: The morbidity was 33% (60/183), of which 39 (21%) were general complications (pneumonia, thrombosis, or cardiovascular disease). 14 patients died postoperatively (8%). By logistic regression analysis we found that splenectomy was the only variable associated with both morbidity and immediate postoperative mortality. Five year survival was 39% for patients who had undergone curative resections, 30% for patients who had had an R1 resection, and 47% for those who had had an R2 resection. By multivariate analysis (Cox) we found that N-classification (TNM), tumour diameter of less than 45 mm, type of lymph node dissection (R2) and operation period (after 1984) correlated with improved survival., Conclusion: Extensive lymph node dissection improves survival without increasing morbidity or postoperative mortality.

The German Gastric Cancer Study (GGCS '92) permits a representative pictures of the current situation in surgery for gastric carcinoma at university centers in Germany. The analysis of frequency of resection, complication rate and mortality provides a quality measure for anybody who performs surgical therapy for gastric carcinoma. The results of multivariate analyses will have therapeutic consequences.

Clinico-physiological data on 52 patients after spleno-pancreatogastrectomy are analysed. The mortality was 25%, the late results were as follows: a 3-year survival--in 28%, a 5-year survival--in 14.7%, a 10-year survival--in 9%. This group of patients was examined for the functional state of the cholinergic system, carbohydrate metabolism, external respiration and basic metabolism. Carbohydrate metabolism is found to change but insignificantly and requires no corrective measures. The cholinergic system activity was reduced, that adversely affects the respiratory function and contributes to the decreased basic metabolism. The latter would necessitate including of cholinomimetics and lipocain in the scheme of the postoperative management.