title: Thoracoscopic esophageal mobilization for pharyngolaryngoesophagectomy.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Pharyngolaryngoesophagectomy (PLE) for hypopharyngeal cancers and tumors of the cervical esophagus is a procedure of significant morbidity and mortality. Conventional esophageal mobilization is performed with the transhiatal dissection technique. Thoracoscopic esophageal mobilization is tested as an alternative to determine whether surgical outcome can be improved.
  
  
  METHODS
  From 1994 to 1998, thoracoscopic mobilization was carried out in 30 consecutive patients who underwent PLE (PLE-TS). This was compared to a historical cohort of 30 patients who had PLE with transhiatal mobilization (PLE-TH).
  
  
  RESULTS
  In PLE-TS, thoracoscopic esophageal mobilization was successful in 28 patients (93%). Median blood loss was 700 mL (range, 164 to 3,000 mL) compared to 1,000 mL (range, 400 to 2,200 mL) in group PLE-TH, p = 0.21. Thoracoscopy time was 90 minutes (range, 60 to 180 minutes). Total operating time were 392 minutes (range, 180 to 570 minutes) and 300 minutes (range, 150 to 550 minutes) in PLE-TS and PLE-TH, respectively (p = 0.03). Major pulmonary complications occurred in 7 (23%) and 8 (27%) patients in PLE-TS and PLE-TH, respectively (p = 0.77). Cardiac complications occurred in 7 (23%) and 5 (17%) patients in PLE-TS and PLE-TH, respectively (p = 0.52). Thirty-day mortality rates were 3.3% and 10% (p = 0.6) and hospital mortality rates were 13% and 17%, (p = 1.0).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Thoracoscopy was safe and feasible. Morbidity and mortality after PLE was not significantly reduced. The theoretical advantage offered by thoracoscopy may be offset by the lengthened time of one-lung anesthesia.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, University of Hong Kong Medical Centre, Queen Mary Hospital, Hong Kong, China.
authors.forename: S Y
authors.initials: SY
authors.lastname: Law
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Fok
authors.forename: W I
authors.initials: WI
authors.lastname: Wei
authors.forename: L K
authors.initials: LK
authors.lastname: Lam
authors.forename: P H
authors.initials: PH
authors.lastname: Tung
authors.forename: K M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Chu
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Wong
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D016063:Blood Loss, Surgical; D004938:Esophageal Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D016629:Esophagectomy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007012:Hypopharyngeal Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013906:Thoracoscopy