Reducing the number of abdominal ports used for laparoscopic distal gastrectomy using the “MiniLap” grasper

Laparoscopic gastrectomy is widely accepted as a good alternative to open surgery for the treatment of early gastric cancers, and has several advantages including less abdominal wound, reduced pain, quicker recovery, and better postoperative quality of life (1,2). Conventional laparoscopic distal gastrectomy usually requires 4 to 5 abdominal ports for an operator and assistant, and an additional umbilical port for laparoscope insertion.