Abstract:Objective To explore the risk factors of postoperative complications of totally laparoscopic and laparoscopic-assisted Brillroth I anastomosis in radical distal gastrectomy for gastric cancer. Methods From June 2014 to December 2016, 134 cases with distal gastric cancer were enrolled in the study, including 83 patients with laparoscopic-assisted Brillroth I anastomosis and 51 patients with totally laparoscopy. The incidences of postoperative complications between the two surgical procedures were compared and the risk factors were analyzed. Results The overall incidences of postoperative complication and severe complication were 11.94% (16/134) and 2.24% (3/134), respectively. There was no statistical difference in postoperative complication rate between the two surgical procedures (10.84% vs 13.73%; χ2 = 0.250, P = 0.617). Univariate analysis identified the positive correlation between postoperative complications and following risk factors as age, preoperative comorbidities, operative time, blood loss and operation experience (P < 0.05); but negative one between postoperative complications and gender, body mass index, level of serum albumin, level of serum hemoglobin, surgical procedure, differentiation types, tumor size, T stage, N stage and TNM stage (P > 0.05). Logistic regression analysis revealed that moderate or severe comorbidity and operation experience were independent risk factors for postoperative complications (P < 0.05). Conclusions Totally laparoscopic Brillroth I anastomosis with radical distal gastrectomy for gastric cancer is technically feasible and safe. However, the moderate or severe comorbidity and lack of operation experience are associated with elevated risk of complications.