Laparoscopic Surgical Techniques for Gastric Cancer Treatment
Summary
Laparoscopic surgery for gastric cancer has evolved from simple early-stage resections to comprehensive procedures for locally advanced disease, combining minimal access with oncological rigor. Key approaches include laparoscopic distal gastrectomy for cancers of the antrum or lower stomach, laparoscopic proximal and subtotal gastrectomy for tumours of the upper third, and totally laparoscopic total gastrectomy when complete stomach removal is required. Standardisation of D2 lymphadenectomy under laparoscopy ensures thorough nodal clearance comparable to open surgery. Advances in three-dimensional imaging, indocyanine green fluorescence for lymphatic mapping, high-definition optics and robotic platforms have enhanced precision, reduced blood loss and shortened recovery times. Function-preserving adaptations, such as pylorus-sparing or double-tract reconstructions, aim to maintain postoperative quality of life without compromising oncological outcomes. Multicentre trials and credentialling systems have underpinned widespread adoption, confirming similar complication rates and long-term survival to open gastrectomy in diverse populations. Ongoing refinements in surgical ergonomics, reconstruction techniques and integration of perioperative systemic therapies continue to expand the role of laparoscopy in both early and advanced gastric cancer globally.
Research from Nature Portfolio
No recent Nature Portfolio content available.
Laparoscopic Surgical Techniques for Gastric Cancer Treatment publication trend
The graph below shows the total number of articles in laparoscopic surgical techniques for gastric cancer treatment across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).
Technical terms
Laparoscopic gastrectomy: Minimally invasive resection of part or all of the stomach using small abdominal incisions and a camera.
D2 lymphadenectomy: Systematic removal of perigastric and extraperigastric lymph node stations in gastric cancer surgery.
Proximal gastrectomy: Resection of the upper portion of the stomach, typically for tumours of the gastric cardia and fundus.
Distal gastrectomy: Resection of the lower portion of the stomach, usually indicated for antral or pyloric region tumours.
Function-preserving gastrectomy: Surgical techniques that maintain part of the stomach or its functions to improve postoperative nutrition and quality of life.
Indocyanine green fluorescence imaging: Use of a fluorescent dye and near-infrared light to visualise lymphatic channels and tissue perfusion intraoperatively.
References
- Improved survival after laparoscopic compared to open gastrectomy for advanced gastric cancer: a Swedish population-based cohort study. Gastric Cancer (2023).
- Research progress of minimally invasive surgery for gastric cancer.. Chinese Journal of Cancer Research (2023).
- Laparoscopic Function-Preserving Gastrectomy for Proximal Gastric Cancer or Esophagogastric Junction Cancer: A Narrative Review. Cancers (2023).
About these summaries
This Nature Research Intelligence Topic summary is created with the cited references and a large language model. We take care to ground generated text with facts, and have systems in place to gain human feedback on the overall quality of the process in line with our AI principles. We strive to create accurate and useful summaries for people unfamiliar with the research topic and that supports this goal. These pages are a beta release and will be updated as we learn how best to help people gain value from a research topic summary.
Turn complex research questions into confident strategic decisions
When you're under pressure to set direction, justify investment, or understand your competitive position, you need more than raw data — you need trusted insights you can act on.
Benchmark your performance against global peers using robust, methodologically sound analysis.
Combine quantitative metrics with qualitative expert insight to uncover strengths, gaps and emerging opportunities.
Gain tailored, decision-ready recommendations aligned to your strategic priorities.
Talk to us to learn more about our data dashboards and bespoke strategy reports.
Grow research skills, confidence and careers with training built for every stage of the research lifecycle.
Developed with Nature Portfolio journal Editors and internationally renowned experts. Discover three ways to learn:
Self-paced, online courses in convenient bite-sized units, covering key skills across scientific writing, publishing, grant writing, data analysis, and more.
Expert trainer-led workshops with hands-on exercises and real-time feedback across core research skills, delivered via interactive group sessions.
Editor-led workshops combining core principles in writing and publishing, personalised 1:1 feedback from Nature Portfolio Editors and hands-on exercises.
Explore course catalogues and workshop agendas, enquire about the options or request institutional pricing.