Objective To observe the effect of laparoscopic-assisted D2 radical gastrectomy on advanced gastric cancer. Methods A total of 46 patients with advanced gastric cancer admitted from January 2017 to December 2019 were randomly divided into a laparoscopic group （23 cases, laparoscopical-assisted D2 radical resection of gastric cancer） and a laparotomy group （23 cases, open D2 radical gastrectomy）. The curative effects between the two groups were compared. Results Compared with the laparotomy group, the laparoscopy group showed longer operation time （P<0.05）, but reduced intraoperative blood loss, first exhaust time after operation, first eating time, and incidence of postoperative complications （P<0.05）. No significant differences were observed in R0 resection rate, number of lymph node dissection, mortality, tumor recurrence rate, and tumor-free survival rate between two groups （P>0.05）. Conclusion The short-term effect of laparoscopic-assisted D2 radical resection for advanced gastric cancer is similar to that of laparotomy, but the former surgical method features reduced surgical trauma and postoperative complications, thus is worthy of clinical promotion.