title: Initial experience and result of thoracoscopic and laparoscopic esophagectomy.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Conventional esophagectomy requires either a laparotomy or a thoracotomy. Currently, the minimally invasive esophagectomy is an evolving alternative to the open technique.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  Assess and evaluate the early outcomes of the authors' experiences with the minimally invasive esophagectomy for esophageal cancer.
  
  
  METHODS
  Outcome data were collected prospectively from 28 consecutive patients, 22 men and six women with a mean age of 63 years and a range of 36-77 years.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Thoracoscopic esophageal mobilizations were successful in 17 patients. Four patients were converted to open thoracotomy. Laparoscopic gastric mobilizations were successful in eight patients and only one patient was converted to laparotomy. Mortality was one (3.5%), and perioperative morbidity was nine (32%), including pneumonia, pleural effusion, wound infection, anastomosic leakage, and hoarseness.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Minimally invasive esophagectomy is feasible and can be performed at the Prince of Songkla University Hospital. Optimal results require appropriate patient selection and surgeon experience.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Prince of Songkla University, Songkhla, Thailand. susomkia@medicine.psu.ac.th
authors.forename: Somkiat
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sunpaweravong
authors.forename: Siripong
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Chewatanakornkul
authors.forename: Sakchai
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ruangsin
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D004938:Esophageal Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D016629:Esophagectomy / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019060:Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013785:Thailand; D013906:Thoracoscopy; D013997:Time Factors