Does D2 Lymph Node Dissection Increase Morbidity and Mortality in Gastric Cancers?

Aim: The aim of this study is to compare the postoperative morbidity and mortality of patients with gastric cancer who had D1 and D2 lymph node dissection (LND). Material and Method: This study was carried out on total 137 patients retrospectively who were operated by for gastric carcinoma between 1995 and 2006. 111 patients who were operated with curative intent were included in the study. The two groups on whom D1 and D2 LND was applied were compared from the number of patients, sex, age, stage of disease and ASA grade. The two groups were analyzed in respect of surgical methods, the use of staplers, operative time, additional organ resections, hospital stay, postoperative complications and the need for re-operation, and operative mortality. Results: It was seen that D1 LND was applied to 50 of the 111 patients; D2 LND was applied to 61 of them. 23 of the patients were female and 88 were male. It was seen that the ratio of Female/Male as 1/4. The mean age of the D1 LND group was 59, and the D2 LND group was 58,7. There was no statistically significant difference between the groups with regard to age, gender, stage of disease, tumor location, tumor type, the average length of hospital stay and ASA grade (p>0.05). A statistical difference in operative time was seen between the two groups (p