Objective: To investigate the causes of the intraoperative and early postoperative complications of laparoscopy-assisted distal gastrectomy (LADG) and their management. Methods: The clinical data of 82 patients undergoing LADG from January 2007 to September 2011 were analyzed retrospectively. Results: Two cases were converted to open surgery and the intraoperative complications included six cases of intraoperative bleeding, three cases of subcutaneous emphysema, two cases of hypercapnia and four cases of transverse mesocolon injury. The postoperative complications comprised of two cases of intra-abdominal bleeding, two cases of port-site infection, one case of port-site hematoma, four cases of duodenal stump leakage, and one case each of anastomotic leakage, anastomotic stenosis, anastomotic bleeding and lymph leakage. All the intra- and postoperative complications were resolved by proper management and no death occurred. Conclusion: The surgical difficulties of LADG and the inexperienced or novice operators are responsible for the majority of the LADG complications The avoidance of the intra- and postoperative complications of LADG requires not only performing the standard operating procedure strictly, but also improving the skill and proficiency of the operators as well as enhancing the coordinated cooperation of the surgical team.

Gastrectomy/methods; Laparoscopy-Assisted Distal Gastrectomy; Intraoperative Complications; Postoperative Complications