Minimally invasive surgery improves outcomes for distal gastric cancer.

A large retrospective analysis revealed that minimally invasive surgery (laparoscopic and robotic) for distal gastric cancer results in significantly lower 30-day readmission rates, mortality, and enhanced overall survival compared to open gastrectomy. While robotic techniques yielded superior lymph node yields and shortened hospital stays, the benefits for proximal and gastroesophageal junction tumors were less pronounced. These findings signal the necessity for further research to refine surgical practices in the management of gastric adenocarcinoma.