[Video-assisted thoracoscopic esophagectomy in esophageal carcinoma].
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the efficacy and safety of video-assisted thoracoscopic (VATS) esophagectomy in the treatment of esophageal cancer.


METHODS
From June 2004 to October 2007, video-assisted thoracoscopic esophagectomy was performed in 36 patients, including 29 men and 7 women with median age of 58.9 years old. The cancer located at upper segment in 5 cases, middle 25 cases and lower 6 cases. VATS approach was used to mobilize the intrathoracic esophagus and stomach was mobilized by open approach. Esophagogastric anastomosis was performed in the left neck.


RESULTS
The mean operative time was 250 minutes (190-330 min) and average time of VATS was 70 minutes. The mean hospital stay was 8.7 days. Mean lymph node harvest was 14.3 nodes. Post-operative complications occurred in 11 patients(30.6%), but no perioperative death occurred.


CONCLUSIONS
Video-assisted thoracoscopic esophagectomy is technically feasible and safe with lower morbidity and shorter hospital stay as compared to open procedure, and may replace the open esophagectomy in selected patients.
Tan
Li-jie
LJ
Department of Thoracic Surgery, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China.
Wang
Qun
Q
Feng
Ming-xiang
MX
Ge
Di
D
Xu
Zheng-lang
ZL
Jiang
Wei
W
Xu
Song-tao
ST
Ding
Jian-yong
JY
Guo
Wei-gang
WG
D004938:Esophageal Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D016629:Esophagectomy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020775:Thoracic Surgery, Video-Assisted