A propensity score-matched analysis of laparoscopic versus open surgical radical resection for gastric gastrointestinal stromal tumor

Background: Surgery is the mainstay of treatment for gastric gastrointestinal stromal tumours (GIST). However, the choice of surgical approach for gastric GIST remains controversial. Aims and Objectives: To evaluate the short- and long-term efficacies of laparoscopic surgery versus conventional open surgery for gastric GIST. Materials and Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 148 patients with gastric GIST at our hospital between January 2013 and January 2020. The patients were categorised into the following two groups based on the surgery performed: The laparoscopic surgery group (LG) and the open surgery group (OG). Differences in the tumour size, surgical procedures and modified National Institutes of Health classification were statistically significant. To balance the intergroup confounders, we performed 1:1 propensity score matching (PSM). Results: A total of 104 patients were selected after PSM (52 in each group). We focused on the short- and long- term outcomes of patients. The baseline information was balanced between the two groups after PSM. The LG benefited from the advantages of a minimally invasive surgery (faster gastrointestinal function recovery, shorter time to drainage tube removal, less blood loss and shorter hospitalisation period), however, it also had high treatment costs. Moreover, both laparoscopic and open surgeries resulted in similar intra-operative and post-operative complications rates, overall survival time and disease-free survival time. Conclusion: Laparoscopic resection is feasible and oncologically safe for GIST. However, more prospective studies are required to confirm the findings.