Minimally invasive gastrectomy after neoadjuvant chemotherapy: a literature review

Objective: This review was conducted to assess the results of minimally invasive surgery for advanced gastric cancer after preoperative chemotherapy. Background: Localized gastric cancer is treated mainly via surgery. Among recent advances in surgical treatments, minimally invasive gastrectomies have become standard treatment for early gastric cancer and are becoming a safe option for advanced gastric cancers. However, most studies on laparoscopic gastrectomies for locally advanced gastric cancer have been performed in patients undergoing primary surgery. In Western countries, most patients with locally advanced gastric cancer undergo preoperative chemotherapy. However, concerns remain regarding the indications for minimally invasive gastrectomies in patients with locally advanced gastric cancer, treated with preoperative chemotherapy. Methods: We conducted a systematic search of the electronic medical databases to identify all relevant publications on minimally invasive gastrectomy. Eight papers were analyzed. Conclusions: Neoadjuvant chemotherapy does not adversely influence the results of a minimally invasive gastrectomy, and minimally invasive surgery, even after neoadjuvant chemotherapy, may facilitate postoperative chemotherapy in terms of timing and number of completed chemotherapeutic cycles.