This is the Scientific Surgery Archive, which contains all randomized clinical trials in surgery that have been identified by searching the top 50 English language medical journal issues since January 1998. Compiled by Jonothan J. Earnshaw, former Editor-in-Chief, BJS
Need for staging laparoscopy in patients with gastric cancer. BJS 2000; 87: 372-372.
Published: 6th December 2002
Authors: R. Bhalla, L. Formella, D. D. Kerrigan
Method
Fifty consecutive patients with gastric or type III gastro‐oesophageal junction cancer staged by computed tomography (CT) alone, in whom surgery was felt to be appropriate for ‘cure’ or palliative symptom control, were studied. Specific CT, endoscopic and biochemical criteria were applied prospectively to select out a subgroup of 18 patients who also underwent preoperative staging laparoscopy. The overall accuracy of staging and operative outcomes were assessed.
Results
Using this selective approach the resection rate was 98 per cent, although three patients in each group had their planned procedure altered to a less radical (two in each group) or more radical (one in each group) resection (P = 0·23). Overall, 41 of 50 patients were staged correctly (accuracy 82 (95 per cent confidence interval 69–90) per cent) and 86 per cent of patients underwent the planned surgical procedure. The only abandoned operation occurred in the staging laparoscopy group.