Combined endoscopic intragastral resection of a posterior stromal gastric tumor using an original technique

Gastric stromal tumors are solitary, usually asymptomatic, lesions that can bleed, become obstructive, or even degenerate into malignant neoplasms. Therefore, their surgical excision is recommended. We report a technique for the successful resection of a stromal tumor of the posterior gastric wall using a transgastric approach. After the creation of a 12 mmHg pneumoperitoneum using a three-trocar technique, a 2-cm gastrostomy was performed; an 18-mm trocar was then positioned in the gastric lumen and secured with a pursestring suture. Next, an intragastric wedge resection of the posterior gastric wall was carried out under endoscopic guidance. Finally, the anterior gastric wall was closed using a linear stapler. Histopathological analysis showed a benign spindle cell tumor, which was excised in toto. Patient recovery was uneventful. This report supports previous data showing the feasibility of a laparoscopic transgastric approach for the resection of stromal tumors of the posterior gastric wall. It also underscores the synergy of laparoscopic and endoscopic procedures in minimally invasive gastric surgery.