Objective: To explore the safety and feasibility of the total laparoscopic anastomosis in laparoscopic gastrectomy.
Methods: Clinical data of 36 patients who received totally laparoscopic anastomosis and another 47 patients who received anastomosis through small incision in our department from July 2012 to July 2013 were retrospectively analyzed. Clinical outcomes were compared between the two groups.
Results: The operation was successfully carried out in all the 83 patients. The mean incision length was (7.1±0.9) cm in small incision group and (2.6±0.4) cm in totally laparoscopic group, while the mean time of anastomosis was (70.9±9.0) min and (29.1±4.9) min respectively. Six patients felt moderate pain and 41 felt severe pain in small incision group, while 29 patients felt moderate pain and 7 felt severe pain in totally laparoscopic group. Anastomotic leakage occurred in 1 case after operation in small incision group and there was no related anastomosis complication in totally laparoscopic group.
Conclusions: Total laparoscopic anastomosis is safe and feasible in laparoscopic gastrectomy for gastric cancer. Compared with small incision-assisted anastomosis, totally laparoscopic anastomosis is associated with shorter time and less pain.