Totally laparoscopic total gastrectomy using the “enjoyable space” approach coupled with self-pulling and latter transection reconstruction versus laparoscopic-assisted total gastrectomy for upper gastric cancer: short-term outcomes

INTRODUCTION: With the development of minimally invasive surgery in recent years, totally laparoscopic total gastrectomy (TLTG) has attracted more attention. AIM: To introduce the more comprehensive “enjoyable space” approach coupled with the self-pulling and latter transaction (SPLT) reconstruction technique to perform TLTG and investigate its safety and feasibility. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Ninety-seven patients with primary upper gastric cancer underwent laparoscopic radical total gastrectomy between January 2020 and December 2020. Among these patients, 46 underwent laparoscopic-assisted total gastrectomy (LATG), and 51 underwent TLTG. We compared the clinicopathological characteristics, surgical outcomes and postoperative complications between the two groups. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in the clinicopathological characteristics between the two groups (p > 0.05). However, the TLTG group had a slightly lower mean operative time and mean blood loss than the LATG group (p < 0.05 each). Although there were similarities in the mean times to first flatus, liquid diet, and soft diet, the duration of hospital stay was significantly reduced in the TLTG group (p < 0.05). No significant differences in overall complications and E-J-related complications were found between the two groups (15.2% vs. 25.4%, p > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: TLTG is a safe and feasible procedure for treating upper gastric cancer. The enjoyable space approach in conjunction with SPLT reconstruction is an appropriate comprehensive technique with several advantages over LATG.