[Thoraco laparoscopic esophagectomy versus open esophagectomy: a meta-analysis of outcomes].
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the outcomes of thoraco laparoscopic esophagectomy venus open esophagectomy for esophageal cancer.


METHODS
Literature search was performed using PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, and Google Scholar databases, CBM, and CNKI from inception to July 2011 for comparative studies assessing thoraco laparoscopic esophagectomy and open esophagectomy. Data were extracted and evaluated by two reviewers independently according to the Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews. Meta-analyses were conducted using RevMan 5.1.


RESULTS
A total of 10 studies involving 1017 patients were included for the analysis. Four hundred and fifty-five patients underwent thoraco laparoscopic esophagectomy and 562 patients underwent open esophagectomy. There were no significant differences between the two groups in anastomotic leak, 30-day mortality, and number of lymph node retrieved(P>0.05). However, thoraco laparoscopic esophagectomy had lower blood loss, less operative time, and reduced respiratory complications(P<0.05). There were no significant differences between the two groups in overall complications, cardiac complications, anastomotic stricture, recurrent laryngeal nerve injury, length of stay, ICU stay, and 3-year survival(all P>0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
Thoraco laparoscopic esophagectomy for esophageal cancer is feasible and safe as open esophagectomy.
Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, Nanfang Medical University, Guangzhou, China.
Liang
L
Chen
Wu-jun
WJ
Wang
Rui-jun
RJ
Cai
D004938:Esophageal Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D016629:Esophagectomy / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy; D013906:Thoracoscopy; D016896:Treatment Outcome