[The comparison of laparoscopic and open lymphodissection for gastric cancer]

Lymphodissection for gastric cancer was performed in 174 patients. Among 116 patients, operated traditionally, 58% had cancer stages I and II. 58 patients operated laparoscopically revealed cancer stages I and II in 55.1%. The mean number of removed lymph nodes was 28.9+/-1.2 and was higher after laparoscopic operation (p=0.652). The duration of the laparoscopic lymphodissection operation was slightly shorter. Blood loss was significantly less during the laparoscopic procedure. The mean survival time for patients operated laparoscopically and traditionally was 30 and 26.6 months respectively.