Traditional vs. Robotic Wedge Gastric Resection

A wedge gastric resection is a surgical procedure in which a wedge-shaped portion of the stomach is removed to treat stomach cancer. This surgery can be performed as a traditional open procedure or as a robotic procedure. At Moffitt Cancer Center, we offer both types of surgery, and the experts within our Gastrointestinal Oncology Program collaborate on each unique case to determine which treatment option is most suitable for the patient’s individual condition. This multispecialty team includes gastroenterologists, medical oncologists, radiation oncologists, surgical oncologists and other medical experts who are dedicated to providing the best possible treatment for each patient.

Compared with traditional surgery, a robotic wedge gastric resection is less invasive and may offer patients the following benefits:

• A shorter hospital stay and recovery time
• Less pain during recovery
• Less surgical blood loss
• Less scarring

At Moffitt, our surgeons use the da Vinci® Surgical System, a state-of-the-art robotic technology, to perform minimally invasive wedge resections. This system uses a high-definition, 3D magnified vision system and wristed instruments that can bend and rotate beyond the capabilities of a human hand, enabling the surgeon to make extremely precise movements through small incisions. Because Moffitt is a high-volume cancer center, our surgeons possess a unique level of experience in performing both traditional and robotic surgeries. This experience contributes to improved outcomes and a better quality of life for Moffitt patients.

In addition to traditional and robotic surgery, Moffitt offers a range of other treatment options, including chemotherapy, radiation therapy and immunotherapy. Moffitt also continues to advance treatment options for patients with gastric cancer through our robust clinical trials program. Eligible patients have the opportunity to participate in a clinical trial, which may provide them with access to the latest and most innovative treatments before they become widely available. Our research efforts have earned us the designation of Comprehensive Cancer Center by the National Cancer Institute, and we are the only such center based in Florida.

If you would like to learn more about traditional or robotic wedge gastric resection, or if you are interested in receiving treatment for gastric cancer at Moffitt, call 1-888-663-3488 or fill out a new patient registration form online. No referral is required to schedule an appointment.