Robotic Versus Laparoscopic Gastrectomy for Remnant Gastric Cancer: A Single-Center Retrospective Cohort Study.

BACKGROUND

This retrospective study compares the short-term safety and feasibility-related clinical outcomes of robotic gastrectomy (RG) for remnant gastric cancer (RGC) (including various types of initial reconstruction) with those of laparoscopic gastrectomy (LG).

METHODS

Forty-five patients underwent minimally invasive gastrectomy for RGC at our hospital between June 2012 and December 2024. LG was performed for 33 patients, and RG was performed for 12 patients.

RESULTS

The median operation time was significantly longer in the RG group than in the LG group (346 min vs. 295 min, P =0.020). The RG group had significantly less blood loss than the LG group (27 mL vs. 100 mL, P =0.005). The median number of harvested lymph nodes was comparable between the two groups. Conversion to an alternative surgical approach occurred in three cases in the LG group, and not at all in the RG group. The overall incidence of postoperative complications (Clavien-Dindo grade ≥II) was comparable between the LG and RG groups (27.3% vs. 25.0%). The median postoperative hospital stay was similar between them. The median interval from the initial gastrectomy to surgery for RGC was significantly longer in the Billroth-II group than in the Billroth-I group (50 y vs. 10 y, P <0.001).

CONCLUSION

Robotic gastrectomy could be applied for various types of RGC without conversion to another approach. Robotic gastrectomy for RGC was considered a safe and feasible approach.