Minimally invasive esophagectomy for cancer: prospective evaluation of laparoscopic gastric mobilization.
BACKGROUND
Esophagectomy carries high morbidity, mainly respiratory. Minimally invasive surgery has been demonstrated to improve postoperative outcome in digestive surgery, without impairment of oncological results. A prospective study was conducted to evaluate feasibility, postoperative outcome, and mid-term oncological results of minimally invasive esophagectomy (MIE) in cancer.


METHODS
From July 2001 to August 2005, 25 patients underwent esophagectomy with laparoscopic gastric mobilization (LGM) for epidermoid carcinoma (n=15) or adenocarcinoma (n=10). Tumors were located on the cardia (n=6), on the lower third (n=14), or on the median third (n=5) of the esophagus. Following LGM, transthoracic esophagectomy was performed.


RESULTS
Complete LGM was achieved in all patients but 1. Mean operative time for LGM was 191+/-49 minutes. Fifteen patients (60%) developed complications, mainly respiratory. Anastomotic leakage occurred in 2 patients, with a favorable outcome. Pylorospasm (n=1) was the only intra-abdominal complication. Median hospital stay was 18 days. Two patients died (8%). Twenty-three patients underwent R0 resection. A mean of 12+/-4 lymph nodes (range 4-19 nodes) were analyzed. With a mean follow-up of 14 months (1-46 months), actuarial survival at 1 and 2 years was, respectively, 73% and 56%.


CONCLUSIONS
Esophagectomy with LGM is feasible with few specific complications. However, no decrease in morbidity and hospital stay could be observed. Mid-term oncological results seem comparable to those of conventional surgery. Further studies are required to evaluate the extent of lymphadenectomy and the oncologic safety of MIE.
Godiris-Petit
Gaelle
G
Department of Digestive and Endocrine Surgery, Hospital Saint-Louis, 1 avenue Claude Vellefaux, 75010, Paris, France.
Munoz-Bongrand
Nicolas
N
Honigman
Isabelle
I
Cattan
Pierre
P
Sarfati
Emile
E
D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000601:surgery*; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000601:surgery*; D004938:Esophageal Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D016629:Esophagectomy / Q000379:methods*; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013270:Stomach / Q000601:surgery; D016896:Treatment Outcome