Fifty-five minimally invasive Esophagectomies: a single centre experience.
BACKGROUND
Minimally invasive esophagectomy is an evolving alternative to the open technique with the goal of providing efficient oncological therapy while minimizing morbidity by diminishing surgical trauma.


METHODS
Fifty-five consecutive esophagectomies with a minimally invasive approach were included in the calculations. The patients' demography, surgical, histopathological and survival outcomes were analyzed, and surgical/ non-surgical morbidity rates calculated.


RESULTS
In 47% of the patients, a laparoscopic-thoracoscopic approach, and in 53% minimally invasive hybrid procedures were performed. The overall conversion rate to open surgery was 5.5%. Major surgical complications occurred in 26% and major non-surgical morbidity in 13% of the patients. The curative resection rate was 87% with a median number of investigated lymph-nodes of 17.5. The 1-year disease-free survival and overall survival were 73% and 88%, respectively. No hospital mortality occurred.


CONCLUSIONS
Minimally invasive oncological resection in patients with esophageal cancer is feasible and provides the potential of reducing postoperative morbidity and enhancing the oncological outcome even when a learning curve is included.
Schoppmann
Sebastian F
SF
Department of Surgery, Medical University of Vienna, A-1090 Vienna, Austria. sebastian.schoppmann@meduniwien.ac.at
Prager
Gerhard
G
Langer
Felix
F
Riegler
Martin
M
Fleischman
Edith
E
Zacherl
Johannes
J
D004938:Esophageal Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D016629:Esophagectomy / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D019060:Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D016019:Survival Analysis