Influence of obesity on short- and long-term outcomes after laparoscopic distal gastrectomy for gastric cancer.

OBJECTIVE

Despite the increasing prevalence of obesity and gastric diseases, the impact of obesity on short- and long-term outcomes of laparoscopic distal gastrectomy for gastric cancer still remains unclear.

METHODS

Sixty-one consecutive obese patients with body mass index (BMI)≥30 kg/m2, who underwent laparoscopic distal gastrectomy, were compared with 76 non-obese patients with BMI<30 kg/m2. Short- and long-term outcomes were analyzed in both groups.

RESULTS

Obesity was associated with a longer operative time and a greater estimated blood loss. The rate of conversion to open distal gastrectomy was similar between the two groups. There were no 30-day postoperative deaths in either group. There was no significant difference in the overall number or severity of 30-day postoperative complications between the two groups. Regarding long-term survival outcomes, there was no statistical difference in overall (OS) or disease-free survival (DFS) between the two groups. Multivariate analysis showed that BMI did not influence prognosis.

CONCLUSIONS

Laparoscopic distal gastrectomy appears to be a safe and reasonable option for selected obese patients with gastric cancer and results in short- and long-term outcomes similar to those in non-obese patients.