Abstract

Background: Laparoscopic gastrectomy is standard for early gastric cancer, but its role in advanced gastric cancer remains controversial due to technical challenges and oncologic concerns.

Methods: A prospective study was conducted on 110 patients with advanced gastric cancer who underwent laparoscopic distal gastrectomy at Hue Central Hospital and Hue University of Medicine and Pharmacy Hospital between May 2022 and May 2025.

Results: The mean age was 64.9 ± 11.6 years, and the mean BMI was 20.7 ± 2.9 kg/m². The mean operative time was 210 ± 43.5 minutes, and the mean hospital stay was 8.9 ± 3.0 days. The postoperative complication rate was 13.6%, primarily Clavien–Dindo grade I and II complications, each accounting for 6.4%, and grade III occurred in 0.9%. The mean number of retrieved lymph nodes was 17.2 ± 4.2, with 76.4% of patients having ≥ 16 nodes. The mean number of positive lymph nodes was 2.4 ± 3.5.

Conclusion: Laparoscopic distal gastrectomy for advanced gastric cancer were safety and feasibility when performed by experienced surgeons.