To evaluate the results of near-to-mid-term follow-up of patients with gastric cancer who underwent two surgical procedures based on D2 lymph node dissection.

The clinical data of 83 patients with gastric cancer underwent D2 lymph node dissection from April 2015 to May 2019 were analyzed retrospectively . According to different surgical methods, 40 cases were divided into the traditional group who received the traditional laparotomy, while 43 cases were divided into the minimally invasive group who received the laparoscopic D2 lymph node dissection. Statistical analysis were performed by using SPSS 23.0 software. Measurement data such as the surgical related indexes and harvested lymph nodes were expressed as (±s), and were examined by using t test. The total incidence of complications and the 3-year survival rate were expressed as percentage, and were examined by using χ² tests. A P value of <0.05 was considered as statistically significant difference.

Compared with the traditional group, increased operation time, less blood loss, shortened incision length ambulation time postoperative exhausting time as well as hospitalizationtime were observed in the minimally invasive group (P<0.05). There were no significant differences between the two groups in terms of the number of D1, D2 and total harvested lymph nodes, as well as the 3-year survival (P>0.05). The incidence of postoperative complications of 7.0% in the minimally invasive group was lower than 25.0% in the traditional group (P<0.05).

In the surgical treatment of gastric cancer, compared with the traditional laparotomy, laparoscopic gastrectomy with D2 lymph node dissection could reduce the trauma to the body with enhanced postoperative recovery, however without obvious advantage in improving the lymph node dissection effect and postoperative survival.