Feasibility and surgical outcomes of laparoscopic metastasectomy in the treatment of ovarian metastases from gastric cancer

Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the feasibility of laparoscopic metastasectomy (LM) in the treatment of ovarian metastases from gastric cancer and to compare the surgical outcomes with patients who underwent open metastasectomy (OM). Methods: The cases of 73 patients who underwent LM (n = 16) or OM (n = 57) were retrospectively reviewed. All patients were diagnosed with gastric cancer and, subsequently, underwent a metastasectomy at Yonsei University Health System between December 2002 and March 2011. Results: Sixteen operations were completed laparoscopically with no conversion to laparotomy. Complete cytoreduction surgery was achievable in 13 patients (81.3%). Operating time, complete cytoreduction, and occurrence of perioperative complications were comparable between the 2 groups. The LM group had less blood loss (25 vs 400 mL, P < 0.0001), earlier return to a general diet (3 vs 4 days, P = 0.005), shorter postoperative hospital stay (4.5 vs 7 days, P < 0.0001), and lower postoperative pain scores after 6, 24, and 48 hours than those in the OM group. There were no operative complications in the LM group. Conclusions: As a surgical treatment for ovarian metastases from gastric cancer, LM is feasible and provides benefits to patients without detrimental effects on the clinical outcomes for selected patients.