Clinical efficacy of laparoscopic resection for synchronous gastrointestinal multiple primary cancers

Objective To investigate the safety and feasibility of laparoscopic resection for synchronous gastrointestinal multiple primary cancers.Methods The clinical data of 19 patients with synchronous gastrointestinal multiple primary cancers who received laparoscopic resection at the Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University from January 2009 to January 2014 were retrospectively analyzed.Patients were followed up via in-and out-patient examination,phone call or mail till April 2014 or death of the patients.Results The operation was successfully carried out on all the patients.Three patients received laparoscopic assisted distal gastrectomy + anterior resection of rectum; 1 received laparoscopic distal gastrectomy + pancreaticoduodenectomy ; 1 received laparoscopic assisted right hemicolectomy + gastric body wedge resection ; 4 received laparoscopic assisted right hemicolectomy + anterior resection of rectum; 4 received laparoscopic assisted left hemicolectomy + anterior resection of rectum; 6 received laparoscopic assisted proctosigmoidectomy.The mean operation time,length of assisted incision,volume of blood loss were 228 minutes (range,145-380 minutes),5 cm (range,4-7 cm) and 86 mL (range,10-250 mL),respectively.No patients were converted to open surgery.The mean number of lymph nodes dissected was 39 (range,21-58),and 3 lymph nodes (range,0-6) were positive.The time of drainage tube removal,time to food intake and duration of postoperative hospital stay were 3 days (range,2-6 days),4 days (range,2-7 days) and 10 days (range,7-21 days),respectively.One patient was complicated with incisional infection and was cured by symptomatic treatment.The mean time of follow-up was 24 months (range,3-48 months).One patient missed the follow-up,12 survived without tumor,4 were alive with tumor,and 2 died due to tumor related factors.Conclusion Laparoscopic resection for the treatment of synchronous gastrointestinal multiple primary cancer is safe and feasible,with advantages of little trauma and fast recovery. Key words: Gastrointestinal neoplasms ;  Multiple primary neoplasms ;  Synchronous ;  Laparoscopy