Laparoscopy-assisted full-thickness resection of the duodenum for patients with gastrointestinal stromal tumor with...

Gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) with ulceration may potentially disseminate into the peritoneal cavity after laparoscopic local wedge resection (full-thickness resection) when the intestinal wall is opened under the aeroperitoneum. To prevent this intraoperative tumor seeding, we developed laparoscopy-assisted full-thickness resection (LAFTR) of the duodenum for GIST with ulceration. Here, we present the preliminary results of LAFTR.

Three patients with duodenal GIST with ulceration underwent LAFTR. LAFTR consists of four major procedures: (i) a laparoscopic Kocher maneuver (mobilization of the pancreatoduodenum); (ii) the creation of a small upper median laparotomy; (iii) the extracorporeal completion of the full-thickness resection under direct vision; and (iv) extracorporeal hand-sewn closure of the duodenal defect.

LAFTR was successfully performed without any intraoperative adverse events. The mean operating time and estimated blood loss were 182 min and 34 mL, respectively. Postoperative contrast roentgenography showed neither duodenal deformity nor disturbance of gastroduodenal emptying in any of the patients. None of the patients developed peritoneal recurrence.

LAFTR can eliminate the possibility of peritoneal or port-site seeding of tumor cells because the duodenotomy and tumor excision are performed extracoporeally. Meticulously hand-sewn closures of the duodenal defect can minimize the possibilities of anastomotic insufficiency and deformity. LAFTR is a feasible, safe, and minimally invasive treatment for patients with GIST with ulceration in the first and second portions of the duodenum.