Male Sex as a Risk Factor for Perioperative Morbidity and Recurrence Following Minimally Invasive Distal Gastrectomy...

Area of Science:

• Surgical Oncology
• Gastroenterology
• Clinical Research

Background:

• Gastric cancer (GC) necessitates surgical intervention, with minimally invasive distal gastrectomy (MIDG) being a prevalent approach.
• Understanding sex-related disparities in surgical outcomes is crucial for optimizing patient care in GC treatment.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the impact of sex on surgical outcomes, postoperative complications, and prognosis following MIDG for GC.
• To identify potential sex-specific risk factors influencing patient recovery and survival after MIDG.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective analysis of 988 patients undergoing MIDG for GC.
• Propensity score matching (PSM) was employed to control for baseline clinical and pathological variables.
• Comparison of surgical outcomes, complication rates (Clavien-Dindo classification), and survival (OS, RFS, CSS) between male and female patients.

Main Results:

• Male patients experienced longer operation times and greater blood loss compared to females.
• The incidence of postoperative complications (CD II) was significantly higher in males (15.4%) versus females (9.5%).
• Male sex was identified as an independent risk factor for postoperative complications and poorer relapse-free survival (RFS).

Conclusions:

• Male patients undergoing MIDG for GC face increased risks of postoperative complications and cancer recurrence.
• These sex-related differences persist independently of baseline clinical and pathological factors.
• Findings highlight the importance of considering sex in risk stratification and management strategies for GC patients undergoing MIDG.