Thoracoscopic esophagectomy combined with mediastinoscopy via the neck.
Although thoracoscopic techniques have been introduced to esophageal surgery, the identification of the left recurrent laryngeal nerve and lymph node dissection along the nerve remain quite difficult. A mediastinoscopic technique via the neck enables an excellent visual field to be created in the upper mediastinum, especially near the left recurrent laryngeal nerve. Therefore, a thoracoscopic esophagectomy combined with this technique allows mediastinal lymph nodes along the left recurrent laryngeal nerve to be easily and safely dissected.
Ikeda
Yoshifumi
Y
Department of Surgery, Teikyo University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan. yikeda@med.teikyo-u.ac.jp
Niimi
Masanori
M
Kan
Shigenao
S
Takami
Hiroshi
H
Kodaira
Susumu
S
D004938:Esophageal Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D016629:Esophagectomy / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008197:Lymph Node Excision / Q000379:methods; D008481:Mediastinoscopy; D009333:Neck / Q000601:surgery; D013906:Thoracoscopy