Systematic review and meta-analysis of safety and efficacy of laparoscopic resection for gastrointestinal stromal tumors of the stomach

To evaluate the safety and efficacy of laparoscopic resection for gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) of the stomach with systematic review and meta-analysis.

The literature database before March, 2014 was extensively searched to retrieve the comparative studies of laparoscopic (LAP) and open resection (OPEN) for GISTs with a relevance of study goal. The inclusion and exclusion criteria were formulated. After a quality evaluation, the data were extracted. The Cochrane collaboration RevMan5.1 version software was used for meta-analysis.

There are nineteen studies meeting the inclusion criteria for meta-analysis. The total sample size of these studies was 1,060 cases. The operation time was similar between the two groups [weighted mean difference (WMD) −7.20 min, 95 % confidence interval (CI) −25.65 to 11.25, P = 0.44)]. Compared to OPEN, however, LAP experienced less blood loss (WMD −54.21 ml, 95 % CI −82.65 to −25.77, P < 0.01), earlier time to flatus (WMD −1.34 days, 95 % CI −1.62 to −1.06, P < 0.01) and oral diet (WMD −1.80 days, 95 % CI −2.18 to −1.42, P < 0.01), shorter hospital stay (WMD −3.68 days, 95 % CI −4.52 to −2.85, P < 0.01) and decrease in overall complications [relative risk (RR) 0.51, 95 % CI 0.32–0.80, P < 0.01)]. In addition, the long-term follow-up result shows that there is no significant difference in the two groups of patients.

Laparoscopic resection for gastric GISTs is a safe and feasible procedure with less blood loss, less overall complications and quicker recovery. The long-term survival situation of patients mainly depends on the tumor itself risk, and laparoscopic surgery will not increase the risks of tumor relapse and metastasis.