Laparoscopic transgastric resection of gastric submucosal tumor located near the esophagogastric junction

Introduction

Gastric submucosal tumors (GST) are rare, accounting for < 1% of gastrointestinal tumors. Currently, surgical resection remains the only chance for cure^[1].

Laparoscopic wedge resection is widely accepted as a choice of treatment for GST especially for tumors in the anterior wall, lesser curvature, and greater curvature. However, the difficulty in accessing tumors located in the posterior wall and esophagogastric junction (EGJ) requires alternative approaches^[1].

Laparoscopic transgastric resection (LTR) is a novel technique of removing gastric tumors that are unresectable by endoscopy due to their size and location. However, there are limited reports on this technique as this clinical entity occurs rarely^[1-5].

The aim of the article is to assess feasibility and oncological outcomes of the laparoscopic approach for intraluminal GST located in the posterior wall and near the EGJ.

Methods

A retrospective analysis of all patients with GST located at the EGJ underwent LTR at our institution from January 2015 to February 2016 was performed.

Patient demographics, preoperative symptoms, imaging studies, operative data, complications, hospital stay, and follow-up were analyzed.

Preoperative, postoperative and long-term clinical assessment

All the patients underwent a standard preoperative workup including physical examination, blood analysis, chest X-ray, upper gastrointestinal barium meal X-ray study, oral endoscopy, eco-endoscopy and computerized tomography scan [Figure 1].

Figure 1. Gastrointestinal stromal tumor near the esophagogastric junction observed in oral endoscopy (A) and computerized tomography scan (B)

Postoperatively, patients were placed on a clear liquid diet and discharged home on a soft diet. Follow-up was performed approximately 1, 2, 4 weeks, the 6th and 12th months, then every year after surgery where an oral endoscopy was performed.

Histopathologic diagnoses were gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) in 2 cases and leiomyoma in the other 2. Median tumor size was 3.45 cm (range 2.3-5.5 cm).

Patient’s position and trocar’s placement

The surgery was performed with the patient under general anesthesia and placed in a modified lithotomy position. The surgeon stood between the patient’s legs with the camera surgeon on the patient’s right side and the assistant on the left.

A four-port technique was employed in the upper abdomen: epigastric 5-mm ballon trocar, left midclavicular 10-mm ballon trocar, left hipocondrium 12-mm ballon trocar and supraumbilical 10-mm trocar (Applied Medical). Nathanson liver retractor was used in selected cases when the upper part of stomach was covered with bulky liver [Figure 2].

Figure 2. Trocar placement

Gastric wall incision and intragastric trocar insertion

Pneumoperitoneum was created with Veress needle in left upper hypocondrium and carbon dioxide was insufflated to maintain the intra-abdominal pressure at 10-12 mmHg. A 30º-degree laparoscope was used. First, we started the procedure after inserting a supraumbilical 10-mm port. A second 10-mm ballon trocar was placed along the left midclavicular line and a third port, sized 5-mm ballon trocar was placed along the epigastric line, under direct vision.

The procedure started with the incision of a suitable point on the gastric wall, which served for the introduction of a 12-mm balloon trocar. This step was performed using the Ultracision [Figure 3A]. This trocar was used to allow the introduction of a 10-mm scope and also to allow the sealing of the stomach to the abdominal wall. The other 10 and 5 mm balloon trocars were inserted into the stomach [Figure 3B].

Figure 3. (A) Suitable point on the gastric wall. Open of stomach; (B) introduction of balloon trocar inside stomach

Tumor resection

Once balloon trocars were inside stomach, pneumogastrum was established (4-6 mmHg).The location of the tumor was confirmed after the introduction of the scope [Figure 4A]. For tumors near the EGJ, precaution was taken not to involve the EGJ itself. For that, the EGJ needed to be clearly identified either by insertion of the tip of a nasogastric tube or a gastroscope. To facilitate the resection, sometimes we used a tractive suture into the tumor. The resection was performed by means of the Ultracision (Harmonic Scalpel; Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Cincinnati, OH, USA), making sure to leave a 1-cm of clear tissue around the lesion without breach of the capsule [Figure 4B]. Once the tumor has been removed, we introduced an Endobag, and retrieved the specimen through the ballon trocar.

Figure 4. (A) Submucosal stromal tumor near the esophagogastric junction; (B) resection of gastric submucosal tumor with Ultracision

Closure of the gastric defect

A single layer of interrupted sutures with non-absorbable material (Ethibond 2/0) was used to closure the posterior gastric wall [Figure 5]. The trocar was then be retrieved under vision and the anterior gastric wall sutured with interrupted Ethibond 2/0 suture. A methylene blue test was performed in order to exclude gastric leaks.

Figure 5. Closure of the defect

No drains were normally used but a nasogastric tube was maintained overnight.

Results

Of the 4 patients who underwent LTR, 3 were female and 1 was male, with a mean age of 74.5 years (range 64-82 years). Demographics and tumor characteristics were described in Table 1.

LTR was successfully performed on all the cases. All patients received complete resection with a negative margin.

The mean operation time was 173 min (range 120-232 min). There were no conversions. There were no intraoperative complications, but in one of the patients, a methylene blue leakage was observed when suture was checked, which was reinforced. No postoperative complications were described, but patient with methylene blue leakage experimented hyperpyrexia in the first 24 h after operation and haematemesis. Both problems were treated conservatively.

The mean postoperative stay was 8 days (range 4-15 days). There was no death in our series.

At a mean follow-up of 31 months, all of our patients are asymptomatic and free of recurrence. None showed evidence of stenosis of the EGJ or acid reflux symptoms.

Discussion

Laparoscopic wedge resection is widely accepted as a choice of treatment for GST, especially for tumors in the anterior wall, lesser curvature, and greater curvature. However, tumors on the posterior wall at the EGJ remain difficult to approach^[1-5].

Privette et al.^[6] proposed a tailored location-based standardized approach to resection of gastric GIST. This new classification on the basis of tumor location considers type 1 tumors located in fundus and greater curvature, type 2 for tumors in the antrum-prepyloric region and type 3 for tumors in the lesser curvature and EGJ. The surgical approach as dictated by tumor location would be a laparoscopic wedge resection for type 1, a laparoscopic distal gastrectomy for large type 2 tumors, and a laparoscopic transgastric resection for type 3.

The optimal approach to GISTs located near EGJ is not well defined. Such tumors have been reported as the reason for conversion, planned open procedure, and exclusion indication for laparoscopic approach^[7].

Several laparoscopic approaches have been described for the surgical treatment of gastric GIST near the EGJ or posterior wall. These approaches include tumor enucleation, exogastric wedge resection, transgastric tumor-everting resection, intragastric tumor everting resection, laparoscopic and endoscopic cooperative surgery and esophagogastrectomy^[8-11].

Laparoscopic transgastric resection of GST was first described by Geis et al.^[12]. Several publications of this technique have shown the procedure to be feasible and safe with good outcomes in the resection of GISTs located near EGJ, posterior wall and the antropyloric region^[1-5]. However, certain principles need to be practiced when performing this intervention.

First, this procedure requires greater expertise and laparoscopic skills, so whether you want to follow strict oncological outcomes, this surgery should be only performed in hands of experienced surgeons with advanced laparoscopic skills.

In our experience, we advise the use of ballon trocars in order to minimize the leakage of pneumogastrum during the resection of the tumor. Moreover, we consider trocar placement as the key of a successfully resection. In fact, before introducing any trocar, when the upper part of stomach is covered by bulky liver, we first introduce a Nathanson liver retractor in order to define the anatomy. It is important to put the trocars as high as possible, and to introduce the left balloon trocar in the midline of the epigastrium in order to reduce the distance between the abdominal and gastric wall.

We have not used any system of occlusion of duodenum to maintain air-inflated stomach, and we have not had any problem during resection of the tumors.

Another important step is avoiding EGJ stenosis, especially when an endoscopic linear stapler is used to remove the specimen. In addition, one needs to confirm if the EGJ is intact prior to firing, either with the position of a nasogastric tube or a gastroscope.

Most authors utilized the technique of transgastric stapled resection as it allows simultaneous resection and closure of the defect in the stomach. In our series, we have preferred the use of ultrasonic device to remove the tumor because it is feasible to manipulate and to avoid bleeding. With the stapling, overall operating time would be shortened, because it was not require closing the gastric wall with suture. Finally, we have only had one intraoperative complication using this technique. In one patient, a methylene blue leakage was observed when the suture line was checked, requiring reinforced.

Caution need to be taken to minimize tumor handling in order to prevent tumor rupture or spillage. It is advisable to avoid grasping the center of the tumor, but instead to grasp the normal mucosal surrounding it. For this reason and also to facilitate the resection, sometimes we use a suture into the tumor for retraction.

Moreover, it is important to achieve good haemostasis during the surgery, avoiding using suction and irrigation in order to maintain air-inflated in the stomach.

In conclusion, and if these principles are followed, laparoscopic transgastric resection seems to be a safe and effective procedure for gastric submucosal tumors located near the esophagogastric junction. However, advanced training in laparoscopic surgery is advised.