[Modified surgery for early gastric cancer]

Based on the sufficiently accumulated results of early gastric cancer (EGC), particularly the diagnostic accuracy regarding the depth of cancerous involvement in the gastric wall, lymph node metastasis, pattern of recurrence etc., the modified surgery has been induced for the treatment of EGC since late 1970's. The modification is as follows depending on the depth and location of EGC: constriction of size of gastric resection; narrowing of the extent of lymphadenectomy; preserving omentum, pancreas, spleen, pylorus, vagal nerve, lower esophageal sphincter etc; sparing thoracotomy. This kind of surgery has resulted in remarkable reduction of blood loss during surgery, reduced operation time and hospital stay, which have brought improved QOL to the patients as well as satisfactory survival rate after surgery.