title: [Combination of single-port thoracoscopy and laparoscopy for the treatment of esophageal carcinoma: report of 6 cases].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To study the feasibility and early results of radical resection of esophageal carcinoma using single-port thoracoscopy combined with laparoscopy.
  
  
  METHODS
  From March 2010 to December 2010, 6 patients with esophageal carcinoma underwent radical resection by single-port thoracoscopy combined with laparoscopy in the General Hospital of People's Liberation Army. With the patients at a supine position, laparoscopy was performed to complete stomach mobilization and abdominal lymph node dissection. Thoracoscopy was then carried out with the patients lying on the left to mobilize the esophagus and dissect thoracic lymph nodes. Finally, the stomach was pulled into the thoracic cavity via the hiatus of the diaphragm to construct a tube-like stomach, which was then anastomosed to the esophagus using the OrVil system.
  
  
  RESULTS
  No patient was converted to open surgery during the operation. The total operative time ranged from 200 to 320 min. The mean laparoscopic time was 75(range, 45-90) min, and the mean thoracoscopic time 160(120-240) min. The mean intraoperative blood loss was 220(160-300) ml. The mean lymph node retrieval was 12(9-18). No anastomotic fistula, chylothorax, lung infection were found postoperatively.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  After esophageal resection using single-port thoracoscopic and laparoscopy, reconstruction using OrVil system is safe and feasible.
authors.affiliation: Department of Thoracic Surgery, General Hospital of PLA, Beijing 100853, China. drchu301@yahoo.com.cn
authors.forename: Xiang-yang
authors.initials: XY
authors.lastname: CHU
authors.forename: Zhi-qiang
authors.initials: ZQ
authors.lastname: XUE
authors.forename: Bao-qing
authors.initials: BQ
authors.lastname: JIA
authors.forename: Xiao-hui
authors.initials: XH
authors.lastname: DU
authors.forename: Lian-bin
authors.initials: LB
authors.lastname: ZHANG
authors.forename: Xiao-bin
authors.initials: XB
authors.lastname: HOU
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D004938:Esophageal Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D016629:Esophagectomy / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013906:Thoracoscopy / Q000379:methods*