Sporadic gastric carcinoid tumor laparoscopically resected: a case report

Abstract

Sporadic gastric carcinoid tumors are relatively infrequent malignancies of the stomach. Tumors measuring less than 1 cm can sometimes be safely removed endoscopically; however, larger neoplasias require surgical ablation. The present case report represents a gastric carcinoid tumor laparoscopically resected in a patient with a history of hematemesis. The tumor was first marked endoscopically with India ink, which facilitated subsequent localization of the area to be resected. Laparoscopic resection of the mass was without complication, and the pathology study confirmed the preoperative diagnosis and negativity of the margins. In patients who present with masses that are not amended for endoscopic resection, sporadic gastric carcinoid tumors can be resected laparoscopically.

Figure 1.

Endoscopic localization of the tumor. Preoperative examination revealed a small, ulcerated, noncircumferential mass with no stigmata of recent bleeding in the gastric body. The lesion was located in the body on the anterior wall (arrow); asterisk denotes lesser curvature.

Figure 2.

Intraoperative tumor localization. The tumor was endoscopically tattooed with India ink allowing posterior localization during surgery. Arrows denote the abnormality area limited to the body of the stomach.

Figure 3.

The area was grasped and wedge resection of the tumor was achieved by firing staples with an endo GIA stapler using 30-3.5 loads. A small amount of oozing from the staple line was stopped with clips.

Figure 4.

Prior to the last firing, the feeding vessels from the lesser curvature were taken down with a Harmonic scalpel.