Minimally Invasive Resection of Large Gastric Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors

Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) frequently present as a large exophytically growing mass in the stomach, for which open partial gastrectomy is standard of care. The aim of this study was to evaluate the safety and feasibility of minimally invasive gastric resection (MIG) of large (>5 cm) GIST.

All patients who underwent MIG for a GIST in the University Medical Center Utrecht between 2011 and 2019 were included. Postoperative course and oncological outcomes were analyzed.

Twenty-two patients with gastric GIST, median size 53 mm [20-175 mm], underwent MIG. In 4 patients, preoperative imatinib was given, aiming for tumor regression. Conversion from laparoscopic to open surgery occurred once (5%). An additional resection was performed in 3 patients (14%). In 2 patients (9%), an intraoperative complication occurred, consisting of tumor rupture in 1 patient (5%), and 6 patients (27%) developed postoperative complications. Median hospital stay was 5 days [3-7 days]. R0 resection was achieved in 96%. In 4 patients, adjuvant treatment was indicated. The median follow-up was 31 months, and 1-, 3- and 5-year disease-free survival were 94, 74 and 74%, respectively. One patient presented with local recurrence 2 years after the index resection.

MIG for large GIST up to 17.5 cm in diameter is safe, feasible, and oncologically sound, allowing for a controlled resection and reduced patient morbidity.