The benefits and limitations of robotic assisted transhiatal esophagectomy for esophageal cancer

Laparoscopic transhiatal esophagectomy for esophageal cancer.

BACKGROUND Traditional esophagectomy may be associated with mortality, considerable morbidity, and lengthy recovery. It is often performed in cancer patients who are typically older, have associated comorbidities, and are often malnourished, all factors that increase surgical risk. Minimally invasive esophagectomy has the potential advantages of being a less traumatic procedure with an easier p...

Diaphragmatic Hernia after Transhiatal Esophagectomy for Esophageal Cancer

Diaphragmatic hernia was found in a patient who had undergone transhiatal esophagectomy for early esophageal cancer. Chest X-ray was not helpful, but abdominal or chest computed tomography was useful for accurate diagnosis. Primary repair through thoracotomy was performed and was found to be feasible and effective. However, long-term follow-up is required because hernia recurrence is common.

Video-assisted mediastinoscopic transhiatal esophagectomy combined with laparoscopy for esophageal cancer

BACKGROUND Minimally invasive transhiatal esophagectomy for esophageal cancer includes mediastinoscopic and laparoscopic transhiatal esophagectomy. It is inadequate in both two techniques. It is impossible to dissect the lower esophagus with single mediastinoscopy or the upper and middle esophagus with single laparoscopy. We use mediastinoscopy combined with laparoscopy to dissect the whole eso...

VIDEO ASSISTED ESOPHAGECTOMY FOR ESOPHAGEAL CANCER Authors

Robotic-assisted totally transhiatal lymphadenectomy in the middle mediastinum for esophageal cancer

Robotic-assisted esophagectomy has been introduced as a minimally invasive esophagectomy; however, transhiatal esophagectomy with extended lymphadenectomy in the middle retromediastinal field has never been reported so far. We have developed a totally transhiatal robotic manipulation which enables middle retromediastinal lymph dissection. With this method, transthoracic approach, which is assoc...