title: Robot-assisted minimally invasive esophagectomy.
abstract: Esophagolymphadenectomy is the cornerstone of multimodality treatment for resectable esophageal cancer. The preferred surgical approach is transthoracic, with a two-field lymph node dissection and gastric conduit reconstruction. A minimally invasive approach has been shown to reduce postoperative complications and increase quality of life. Robot-assisted minimally invasive esophagectomy (RAMIE) was developed to facilitate this complex thoracoscopic procedure. RAMIE has been shown to be safe with good oncologic results and reduced morbidity. The use of RAMIE opens new indications for curative surgery in patients with T4b tumors, high mediastinal tumors, and lymph node metastases after neoadjuvant treatment.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgical Oncology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Heidelberglaan 100, 3508 GA, Utrecht, The Netherlands. r.vanhillegersberg@umcutrecht.nl.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: van Hillegersberg
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgical Oncology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Heidelberglaan 100, 3508 GA, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: M F J
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: Seesing
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgical Oncology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Heidelberglaan 100, 3508 GA, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: H J F
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Brenkman
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgical Oncology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Heidelberglaan 100, 3508 GA, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: J P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Ruurda
mesh_terms: D059248:Chemoradiotherapy; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D003479:Curriculum; D004938:Esophageal Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D016629:Esophagectomy / Q000193:education / Q000379:methods*; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional; D007318:Inservice Training; D010535:Laparoscopy / Q000193:education / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods*; D059032:Learning Curve; D008197:Lymph Node Excision / Q000193:education / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D019060:Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures / Q000193:education / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods*; D009361:Neoplasm Invasiveness; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D009426:Netherlands; D049268:Positron-Emission Tomography; D065287:Robotic Surgical Procedures / Q000193:education / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods*; D013906:Thoracoscopy / Q000193:education / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods*; D014132:Trachea / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery
keywords: Esophageal cancer; Esophagectomy; Multimodal treatment; Surgery, robot-assisted; Thoracoscopy