title: Randomized trial comparing minimally invasive esophagectomy and open esophagectomy: early perioperative outcomes appear improved with a minimally invasive approach.
abstract: Esophagectomy is an important curative treatment modality for esophageal cancer, but is a complex operation with associated risks. A minimally invasive approach to esophagectomy may decrease the risks associated with resection. Recently, an important study was published in the Lancet by Biere and colleagues that reported the results of a randomized study, with the primary endpoint of postoperative pulmonary infection, comparing minimally invasive esophagectomy versus open esophagectomy for esophageal cancer. The findings from this trial confirm the data from previous, non-randomized studies and highlight the substantial early postoperative benefits of minimally invasive esophagectomy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15213, USA.
authors.forename: Ryan M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Levy
authors.forename: Arjun
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Pennathur
authors.forename: James D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Luketich
mesh_terms: D004938:Esophageal Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D016629:Esophagectomy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D015337:Multicenter Studies as Topic; D018579:Patient Selection; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D012141:Respiratory Tract Infections / Q000209:etiology; D012307:Risk Factors; D013906:Thoracoscopy; D016896:Treatment Outcome