title: [Transthoracic and transhiatal esophagectomy using minimally invasive techniques. Experience in 50 patients].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Minimally invasive esophagectomy (MIE) can reduce surgical aggression and cardiopulmonary complications while maintaining basic oncological principles. We present the results of our initial experience with this technique in the treatment of esophageal cancer.
  
  
  METHODS
  Fifty patients with a diagnosis of esophageal cancer were selected to undergo MIE. In 18 patients the tumour was located in supracarinal esophagus, in 24 in subcarinal esophagus and in 8 patients in the cardial region. The surgical procedures were: three-field esophagectomy (laparoscopy, thoracostomy and cervicotomy), transhiatal esophagectomy and Ivor Lewis procedure (thoracoscopy and laparoscopy).
  
  
  RESULTS
  The laparoscopy approach was used in 48 patients and 13 by the thoracoscopy approach. Transhiatal esophagectomy was performed on 13 patients. The mean duration of intervention was 281 minutes. Morbidity was 48% and mortality was 8%. The mean hospital stay was 13.2 days. Survival analysis showed: 82% in stage I, 38% in stage II and 24% in stage III. The mean follow-up was 19 months.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Minimally invasive techniques to resect the esophagus in patients with cancer were confirmed to be safe and comparable to an open approach with respect to postoperative recovery and cancer survival.
authors: Unidad de Cirugía Esofagogástrica, Hospital Universitario Dr J Trueta, Girona, España. jroigg@ono.com
authors: José
authors: J
authors: Roig-García
authors: Jordi
authors: J
authors: Gironés-Vilà
authors: Elisenda
authors: E
authors: Garsot-Savall
authors: Manel
authors: M
authors: Puig-Costa
authors: José
authors: J
authors: Rodríguez-Hermosa
authors: Antoni
authors: A
authors: Codina-Cazador
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D004938:Esophageal Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D016629:Esophagectomy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013906:Thoracoscopy; D013907:Thoracostomy