Laparoscopic wedge resection of gastric submucosal tumors

Minimally invasive surgery has revolutionized the treatment of gastrointest inal tumors. Submucosal tumors (SMTs) of the stomach can be resected using laparoscopic techniques. Between 1993 and 1997, laparoscopic wedge resectio n was performed in 34 patients with an SMT of the stomach. The tumors range d from 8 to 60 mm in diameter. All surgical margins were clear. The average operative time was 131 minutes. Most of the patients began eating on the f irst postoperative day and were discharged within 5 to 7 days. Histopatholo gic examination of the tumors showed gastrointestinal stromal tumor (n = 14 ), ectopic pancreas (n = 7), leiomyosarcoma (n = 4), schwannoma(n = 3), car cinoid (n = 2), leiomyoma(n = 2), an inflammatory lesion caused by parasite s (n = 1), and cyst (n = 1). No recurrences were observed over the 5-year f ollow-up period. A solid SMT of the stomach larger than 20 mm in diameter c an be treated using laparoscopic wedge resection.