Evaluation of skeletonization of the hepatoduodenal ligament for the lower third advanced gastric cancer

The application of skeletonization of the hepatoduodenal ligament (SHDL) in the treatment of gastric cancer is rare. In this study, we reviewed the literature concerning the role of the No.12 lymph node dissection for gastric cancer, in order to evaluate the significance of SHDL in radical gastrectomy. We found that the application of SHDL with dissection of the No.12a, No.12b, and No.12p lymph nodes could improve the prognosis of patients with lymph node metastasis. The incidence of complications would not increase when the surgery was performed by experienced surgeons.