title: Minimally invasive esophagectomy.
abstract: Minimally invasive esophagectomy can be safely performed in selected cases in centers specializing in minimally invasive esophageal surgery.Potential benefits include lessened physiologic insult, with decreased hospital stay and a more rapid recovery to full activity. Drawbacks include the cost of the disposable instrumentation and the steep learning curve. As thoracic surgeons continue to acquire expertise with this procedure, improved results may be expected. Prospective trials with longer follow-up will be required to confirm any advantages of MIE over conventional approaches. Open surgical approaches should remain the standard operation for esophagectomy in most institutions.
authors.affiliation: Division of Thoracic and Foregut Surgery and the Minimally Invasive Surgery Center, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, UPMC Presbyterian, Suite C-800, 200 Lothrop Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA.
authors.forename: Alberto
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: de Hoyos
authors.forename: Virginia R
authors.initials: VR
authors.lastname: Litle
authors.forename: James D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Luketich
mesh_terms: D000714:Anastomosis, Surgical; D000758:Anesthesia / Q000379:methods; D004938:Esophageal Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D016629:Esophagectomy / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D007431:Intraoperative Complications; D010535:Laparoscopy / Q000379:methods; D019060:Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D037981:Neck Dissection / Q000379:methods; D018579:Patient Selection; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D011708:Pylorus / Q000601:surgery; D020775:Thoracic Surgery, Video-Assisted / Q000379:methods