Copyright: ©Author(s) 2026. This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial (CC BY-NC 4.0) license. No commercial re-use. See permissions. Published by Baishideng Publishing Group Inc.
World J Gastroenterol. Aug 14, 2026; 32(30): 119614
Published online Aug 14, 2026. doi: 10.3748/wjg.119614
Published online Aug 14, 2026. doi: 10.3748/wjg.119614
Research progress in laparoscopic endoscopic cooperative surgery for early gastric cancer: A narrative review
Biao Chen, He Han, Xuan-Xuan Zhang, Ji-Xiang Chen, Xin Fan, Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Affiliated Hospital of Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212000, Jiangsu Province, China
Co-first authors: Biao Chen and He Han.
Co-corresponding authors: Ji-Xiang Chen and Xin Fan.
Author contributions: Chen B and Han H contributed equally to this work and are co-first authors; Fan X and Chen JX were responsible for the study design, revising and updating the initial draft of the manuscript, they contributed equally to this manuscript and are co-corresponding authors; Chen B, Han H, Zhang XX, Chen JX, and Fan X authored the initial draft; Chen B was responsible for using the software to draw and chart; all authors contributed to editing, and agreed to the published version of the manuscript.
Supported by Jiangsu Commission of Health, No. LKZ2023012; Zhenjiang Gastrointestinal Tumor Clinical Key Laboratory, No. SS2023011; New Technology and New Programs of Jiangsu University Hospital, No. xjs2024201; and Science and Technology Planning Project of Zhenjiang City, No. SH2025001.
Conflict-of-interest statement: All the authors report no relevant conflicts of interest for this article.
Corresponding author: Ji-Xiang Chen, MD, Chief, Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Affiliated Hospital of Jiangsu University, No. 438 Jiefang Road, Jingkou District, Zhenjiang 212000, Jiangsu Province, China. jsdxfsyycjx@163.com
Received: February 2, 2026
Revised: March 6, 2026
Accepted: April 17, 2026
Published online: August 14, 2026
Processing time: 172 Days and 11.1 Hours
Revised: March 6, 2026
Accepted: April 17, 2026
Published online: August 14, 2026
Processing time: 172 Days and 11.1 Hours
Core Tip
Core Tip: Laparoscopic endoscopic cooperative surgery (LECS) represents a paradigm shift in minimally invasive treatment for early gastric cancer (EGC). By synergistically combining endoscopic precision with laparoscopic safety, it achieves an optimal balance between maximal organ preservation and radical oncologic resection, paving the way for function-preserving surgery. This article comprehensively reviews recent developments in LECS for EGC, including its history, indications, clinical outcomes, safety profiles, specific surgical protocols, and role in sentinel lymph node navigation surgery. Additionally, it explores future prospects for LECS in EGC treatment.