Transgastric Laparoscopic Resection of Gastric Submucosal Tumors: An Alternative Approach in Anatomically Challenging Locations?

Abstract Background Surgical resection remains the recommended method in treatment for patients with Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST). However, resection in anatomically challenging locations, e.g., lesser curvature of the stomach or gastroesophageal (GE) junction, might be challenging. Aims We report the feasibility and the safety outcomes of a case series of patients who underwent trans gastric resection of gastric GISTs. Methods Patients with intraluminal GIST at the fundus, GE junction, lesser curvature, or pre-pyloric region resected with transgastral resection were included between 2023 and 2024 in a single-center institution. Data on the demographics, comorbidities, lesion parameters, operative findings, complications, and histopathology were collected. Results A total of 8 patients (47.5 % female; mean age 60.5 years) were identified. The average tumor size was 3.2 (range 2.7–4.1) cm. The average tumor size was 4.6 cm. No intra- or postoperative complications occurred. Conclusion The transgastric resection technique for GIST at anatomically challenging locations was feasible and safe and presented an alternative and additional armamentarium of resection techniques.