title: Experiences with a simple laparoscopic gastric tube construction.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Minimally invasive esophagectomy (MIE) is a complex operation, and the detailed optimal surgical procedure has not been well described. Our aim was to evaluate use of a simple method of laparoscopic gastric tube construction as minimally invasive surgery for patients with esophageal cancer.
  
  
  METHODS
  We performed a retrospective review of 26 consecutive patients who underwent MIE for esophageal cancer in the Koo Foundation Sun Yat-Sen Cancer Center between September 2009 and August 2011. Perioperative data and postoperative complications were statistically analyzed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The patient group consisted of 22 men and 4 women. MIE was performed successfully in all patients. The mean operative time was 430.4 ± 60.6 minutes, and the mean estimated operative blood loss was 135.0 ± 97.8 mL. There were no cases of conversion to open surgery during the procedure. The postoperative complication rate was 53.8%, and there was no surgical mortality.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We recommend this novel method of total laparoscopic staplized formation of gastric tube to facilitate gastric pull-up.
authors: Department of Surgery, Changhua Christian Hospital, and School of Medicine, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan.
authors: Bing-Yen
authors: BY
authors: Wang
authors: Lien Cheng
authors: LC
authors: Tsao
authors: Ching-Yuan
authors: CY
authors: Cheng
authors: Ching-Hsiung
authors: CH
authors: Lin
authors: Chih-Shiun
authors: CS
authors: Shih
authors: Chia-Chuan
authors: CC
authors: Liu
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000601:surgery; D004938:Esophageal Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery; D016629:Esophagectomy / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy / Q000295:instrumentation*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019060:Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods*; D059035:Perioperative Period; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000209:etiology; D012189:Retrospective Studies