Development of lymph node dissection in laparoscopic gastrectomy: safety and technical tips

With the accumulation of experience in laparoscopic radical gastrectomy and the progress in surgical instruments, the laparoscopic technique has been widely applied in gastric cancer. Combining previous reports with data from our center, we believe that laparoscopic surgery for gastric cancer is safe and feasible, and its surgery-related complications have an incidence that is not higher, and perhaps even lower, than that of traditional laparotomy. However, the stomach has many anatomical levels and an abundant blood supply; additionally, laparoscopic surgery is relatively difficult. Therefore, understanding the normal gastric peripheral vascular anatomy and variation, selecting an appropriate surgical approach, applying programmed surgical procedures and team cooperation, and paying attention to the details in lymph node dissection are keys to a successful laparoscopic lymph node dissection in gastric cancer.