Randomized controlled trial comparing short‐term outcomes of laparoscopic and open spleen‐preserving splenic hilar lymphadenectomy for advanced proximal gastric cancer: An interim report

Abstract Background and Objectives We compared the clinical outcomes of laparoscopic and open spleen‐preserving splenic hilar lymphadenectomy (LSPL and OSPL) for gastric cancer. Methods We performed a single‐center, randomized, controlled trial to compare the short‐term surgical outcomes between LSPL and OSPL. The study was registered in ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT02980861). Results A total of 222 patients were enrolled (114 in the LSPL group and 108 in the OSPL group). There were no significant differences between the two groups in operative time ( P = 0.152), a number of harvested lymph nodes ( P = 0.669) including no. 10 lymph nodes (2.1 ± 1.4 vs 2.3 ± 1.2, P = 0.713). The time taken for no. 10 lymph node dissection was similar in both groups (13.9 ± 10.4 vs 15.2 ± 9.4 minutes, P = 0.217); however, the LSPL group experienced less total blood loss ( P < 0.001) and less blood loss during no. 10 lymph node dissection compared with the OSPL group (15.3 ± 37.8 vs 29.5 ± 36.4 mL, P < 0.001). The postoperative complication rates of LSPL and OSPL were 18.3% and 16.1%, respectively ( P = 0.331). Conclusion LSPL is a safe and feasible surgical procedure in no. 10 LN dissection for patients with advanced proximal gastric cancer. Thus, this prospective trial is continuing.