[Surgical treatment for gastric cancer in a specialized service: the Rebagliati Hospital experience]

The results of the surgical treatment for gastric cancer within a specialized surgical service in this pathology are described in this work. This system for surgical treatment of gastric cancer is new in our country. The implementation process included prepare a team of surgeons and establish protocols and guides to surgical treatment, based on the recommendations of the Japanese Gastric Cancer Association. Additional training in the Japanese advanced surgical technique was required, as well as a strict documentation of the cases. During 2004, 139 surgical interventions were carried out on 137 patients with tumoral gastric pathology. Surgical mortality was 2.1% and morbidity was 21.8%. The average resected glands was 38.6.t 13.7 (range: 20-87) for distal gastrectomy and 46.6 +/- 16.2 (range: 24-87) for total gastrectomy. The stay in the hospital was 11.7 +/- 6.3 days (range: 5-37) for distal gastrectomy and 14.8 +/- 11.3 days (range: 7-56) for total gastrectomy. The hospital and surgeon volumes are underlined as important factors in determining the short and long term results. Implementation of specialized surgical units in general hospitals, for surgical treatment of gastric cancer, is recommended.