Laparoscopy-assisted combined resection for synchronous gastrointestinal multiple primary cancers

Synchronous gastrointestinal multiple primary cancers (SGMPC) is infrequent. This study aimed to investigate the feasibility and outcomes of laparoscopy-assisted combined resection for SGMPC.

We retrospectively reviewed 16 cases of SGMPC underwent either open or laparoscopy-assisted combined resection in the Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University from Jan. 2005 to Jan. 2014.

Sixteen cases contained synchronous colon cancers (n = 10), gastric and rectal cancer (n = 5), gastric and duodenal cancer (n = 1). Either laparoscopy-assisted or open procedure was performed. Compared with the open group, the laparoscopy group presented less blood loss (77.1 ± 46.3 ml vs. 145.0 ± 75.9 ml, P = 0.047) and shorter incision length (5.2 ± 0.7 cm vs. 16.4 ± 1.9 cm, P = 0.000), while no differences in operative time (228.3 ± 38.8 min vs. 188.8 ± 47.7 min, P > 0.05) and postoperative hospital stay (10.0 ± 3.4 days vs. 12.0 ± 4.8 days, P > 0.05). Two cases of postoperative complications occurred in the open group and one case of incision infection occurred in the laparoscopy one. Upon follow-up, 2 cases of open group (50.0%) and 8 cases of laparoscopy group (66.7%) were under status of disease free survival.

Laparoscopy-assisted combined resection for SGMPC is feasible, safe and effective.