Laparoscopic Billroth II Gastrectomy.

The totally intra-abdominal laparoscopic Billroth II gastrectomy offers a minimally invasive option for gastric resection that is remarkably less traumatic and more "patient friendly." Initial experience in this operation around the world has largely concentrated on resection for benign gastric ulcer, but recently the indications have been extended to both benign and neoplastic lesions of the stomach. Experience with a small experimental series of 16 cases has shown that this operation has many advantages over open surgery in terms of postoperative pain, quicker mobilization, fewer wound problems, better cosmesis, and quicker discharge. The main problem remains the cost of disposable stapling devices.