Objective To investigate the curative effectiveness of laparoscopic-assisted radical distal gastrectomy.Methods The clinical data of patients with distal gastric cancer were retrospectively analyzed in our department during November 2008 and October 2011.All patients were subjected to the laparoscopic-assisted (n =61) or open (n =37) radical distal gastrectomy with D2 lymph node dissection.Results In laparoscopic-assisted group,56 cases underwent laparoscopic-assisted surgery successfully and 5 cases were converted to open surgerys.By comparison,the operation time in laparoscopic-assisted group was longer than in open group [(178.00 ± 15.51) min vs.(147.86 ± 17.41) min].In laparoscopic-assisted group and control group,the blood loss was (138.43 ±39.67) and (362.86 ±59.86) ml,incision length was (5.12 ± 0.85) and (18.40 ± 1.98) cm,and postoperative anal exhaust time was (3.18 ±0.86) and (4.29 ± 1.09) days,respectively (P ＜0.05).There was no significant difference in the number of the lymph nodes and the postoperative pulmonary infection between two groups (P ＞ 0.05).According to the postoperative pathologic results,the radical resection was achieved in two group.During the regular follow-up period,all patients were alive and had no distant metastasis.Conclusion Laparoscopic-assisted radical gastrectomy with D2 lymphadenectomy can achieve the same cancer clearance as open surgery.It is safe,feasible and minimally invasive.