Laparoscopic sentinel node navigation surgery versus laparoscopic gastrectomy with lymph node dissection for early gastric cancer: short-term outcomes of a multicentre randomized controlled trial (SENORITA)

Abstract Background Sentinel node navigation surgery reduces the extent of gastric and lymph node dissection, and may improve quality of life. The benefit and harm of laparoscopic sentinel node navigation surgery (LSNNS) for early gastric cancer is unknown. The SENORITA (SEntinel Node ORIented Tailored Approach) trial investigated the pathological and surgical outcomes of LSNNS compared with laparoscopic standard gastrectomy (LSG) with lymph node dissection. Methods The SENORITA trial was an investigator-initiated, open-label, parallel-assigned, non-inferiority, multicentre RCT conducted in Korea. The primary endpoint was 3-year disease-free survival. The secondary endpoints, morbidity and mortality within 30 days of surgery, are reported in the present study. Results A total of 580 patients were randomized to LSG (292) or LSNNS (288). Surgery was undertaken in 527 patients (LSG 269, LSNNS 258). LSNNS could be performed according to the protocol in 245 of 258 patients, and a sentinel node basin was detected in 237 (96·7 per cent) Stomach-preserving surgery was carried out in 210 of 258 patients (81·4 per cent). Postoperative complications occurred in 51 patients in the LSG group (19·0 per cent) and 40 (15·5 per cent) in the LSNNS group (P = 0·294). Complications with a Clavien–Dindo grade of III or higher occurred in 16 (5·9 per cent) and 13 (5·0 per cent) patients in the LSG and LSNNS groups respectively (P = 0·647). Conclusion The rate and severity of complications following LSNNS for early gastric cancer are comparable to those after LSG with lymph node dissection. Registration number: NCT01804998 (http://www.clinicaltrials.gov).