[Total gastrectomy versus partial gastrectomy of adenocarcinoma of the antrum. A French prospective controlled study]

Abstract

In a prospective multicentric trial we compared the post-operative mortality and the 5-year survival of elective total gastrectomy (TG) versus subtotal gastrectomy (SG) for adenocarcinoma of the antrum operated on with intent of cure. Two hundred and one patients were included in the study: thirty two were excluded after pathological examination (linitis plastica, superficial cancer, lymphoma). One hundred and sixty nine patients remained for analysis with 93 TG and 76 SG. Elective TG did not increase post-operative mortality (1.3%) in comparison with SG (3.2%). There was no difference in the 5-year survival rate (48%). Analysis of survival showed no difference in the two techniques when related to nodal involvement and serosal extension. It is concluded that both operations TG and SG can be performed safely in patients with adenocarcinoma of the antrum; however TG did not increase the survival rate.